Lutsenko Yuliia Vasylivna

Work experience: 13 years

Education:

• Kyiv Institute of Social and Cultural Relations named after Saint Princess Olha, Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with honors;
• Open International University of Human Development “Ukraine”, Master’s degree in Psychology

Areas of professional development:

• participation in NGO projects focused on adaptation and socialization of children with developmental disorders;
• training at the international training company “Osnova”: working with PTSD during martial law, art therapy in work with children, especially those with PTSD.

Priority areas in clinical practice:

• corrective and developmental sessions for children aged 1.5–6 years: development of memory, attention, thinking, speech, sensory integration, neuro-exercises, fine motor skills, school readiness through play, prevention of emotional overload, fatigue, and anxiety;
• corrective and developmental sessions for children with developmental disorders (delayed development, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD): psychological support, building emotional connection, improving language comprehension and communication, developing self-regulation skills, social adaptation, parent support (consultations, practical advice, psychoeducation);
• psychological support for children and teenagers: dealing with anxiety, fears, emotional excitability, building self-confidence, self-regulation and self-expression skills, help with low self-esteem, fatigue, apathy, emotional burnout, teenage conflicts, school-related difficulties, adaptation, self-discovery, addressing panic thoughts, depression, suicidal ideation, and self-harm;
• art therapy: drawing therapy, fairy tale therapy, metaphorical associative cards (MAC), sandplay therapy;
• parent counseling: advice on child upbringing, development, and behavior; improving parent-child and teenage relationships.

Tell us about your professional interests other than your specialization:

• “I’m interested in child psychiatry to better understand the psychological roots of behavior and the connections between the psyche, brain development, and emotional states. A multidisciplinary approach is important to me — I collaborate with psychiatrists, speech therapists, neurologists, and rehabilitation specialists.”

Doctor's advice:

• "Every child is unique. Their anxieties, emotions, communication challenges, or developmental delays are not a verdict but a call for support. If you feel something is “not quite right,” don’t wait for it to “go away.” Timely psychological support helps avoid future complications. A child doesn’t need a perfect adult — they need a calm, attentive one nearby. Often children stay silent, get angry, act out, or withdraw — this is how they express their needs. A psychologist is not just for “serious cases,” but about care, trust, and a desire to help the child grow. Your support is already half the journey. Let’s take the rest together."