The Power of Professional Support: A Story of a Woman Living with HIV

The period when Lina (name changed) learned about her HIV status became one of the most challenging moments of her life. Fear, confusion, and a deep sense of uncertainty overwhelmed her. She spent a long time searching for support that could help her cope with the emotional strain and accept her new reality. Eventually, she reached out to the team of consultants from the HelpNowHUB Foundation, who provided her with the contact of a psychologist.

From the very first meetings, Lina felt she had found someone who not only listened but truly understood her. The specialist helped her work through her fears, release the burden of shame, and regain inner strength. Lina repeatedly emphasized how meaningful this support became for her: “I want to sincerely thank the psychologist for her understanding, support, and incredible work with me! It’s true what they say — there are people who know how to shine! The warmth and joy that have appeared in me, I will continue to carry forward.”

Thanks to this work, Lina finally felt the peace and strength she needed to continue living fully and confidently. She rediscovered the light within herself — a light she now wants to keep and share with others.

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This publication was prepared within the project “From Heart to Heart” in partnership with Zjednoczenie Pozytywni w Tęczy and Step by Step Fundacja, with financial support from the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

As you feel: Olena’s story about the power of art therapy

“When we hear the word art therapy, the first thought that comes to mind is that it’s just something for children. I wasn’t an exception — at first, I was very skeptical,” recalls Olena (name changed), a client sharing her experience of working with psychologist Maryna.
She admits that she agreed to the online sessions more out of curiosity than belief in any real outcome. But after just a few meetings, she realized that even remotely, the method has a powerful effect. “Through the process, I saw the results for myself — it really works,” she says.

Before that, Olena knew very little about art therapy. “We hadn’t heard much about this approach, because it only became an official healing strategy in 1940 — recognized for its effective impact on the mental well-being of adults as well,” she explains. For her, this was an important discovery: art therapy isn’t just ‘drawing to relax,’ but a full-fledged psychotherapeutic method.

The online sessions with Maryna turned out to be a much deeper experience than she expected. “Working with Maryna wasn’t about drawing a picture or making a collage — it was a deep process of focusing on my feelings and imagination,” Olena shares. It turned out that even through a screen, it’s possible to create an atmosphere of trust and openness — where real change can happen.

“She changed my perception of what it means to create — to do it as you feel,” Olena smiles. According to her, this helped her release tension, allow herself to be honest, and accept her emotions without judgment.

Olena also gratefully recalls the team that helped her find her specialist and have an experience that became much more than just online meetings — a journey toward deeper self-understanding through art, color, imagination, and trust:
“I’m grateful to the HelpNowHUB Fundacja team for connecting me with the practitioner who worked so flexibly with my needs.”

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This publication was prepared within the framework of the project “From heart to heart” in partnership with Zjednoczenie Pozytywni w Tęczy and Step by Step Fundacja, with financial support from the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

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