Marka Kondrateva
Online ZOOM + in Amsterdam
I embarked on my journey as an art therapist over a decade ago, overcoming personal challenges such as alexithymia, severe allergies, polycystic disease, eating disorders, and body dysphoria. Through resilience and dedication, I realized my dream of relocating to a country I deeply desired. Drawing from a diverse array of life experiences and specialized training, my professional approach embodies an integrative methodology.
Employing techniques such as somatic art therapy, bilateral drawing, and phototherapy (utilizing photography in psychological counseling), I seamlessly blend Mindfulness practices, visualization, and conscious movement into my sessions. This integrative approach extends to incorporating clients' existing practices such as yoga, dance, qigong, and massage, recognizing the multidimensional nature of individuals and the necessity for holistic healing encompassing body, spirit, mind, and heart.
In my role, I assist budding art and phototherapists in launching their practices, sharing my unique approach and guiding them in interpreting and utilizing drawings while actively engaging their bodies as therapeutic instruments during sessions.
For those embarking on their journey and unfamiliar with this path, I draw parallels to the innate wisdom of the body, likening it to the autonomic process of respiration. I emphasize that individuals possess inherent experience, skills, and knowledge, capable of creative expression. By facilitating the unveiling of suppressed elements and revealing hidden truths, we alleviate bodily burdens and illuminate unseen aspects.
My practice focuses on pivotal themes such as cultivating self-worth and independence, navigating intrapersonal conflicts, managing burnout and stress, addressing anxiety, fostering emotional regulation, exploring issues of identity and adaptation in the context of immigration, nurturing trust in the body, understanding psychosomatic origins, healing wounded aspects of femininity, and addressing concerns related to weight management.
It's important to note that while I offer comprehensive support for individuals, my practice does not extend to working with families or children.