The conference will bring together Ukrainian and international professionals working in music therapy, psychology, psychotherapy, education and healthcare to exchange knowledge, explore contemporary therapeutic approaches and strengthen professional cooperation.

Against the backdrop of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, mental health, trauma recovery and psychosocial support have become increasingly important. Music therapy offers additional opportunities for emotional expression, communication and supporting individuals experiencing stress, loss and other challenging circumstances.

A particular focus of the conference will be Austrian-Ukrainian professional exchange.

Austrian experts Elena Fitzgum, Dorothee Storz, Monika Smetana and Thomas Stegemann will participate in the official opening. Their involvement highlights the importance of international cooperation in advancing music therapy research, professional practice and knowledge exchange.

The three-day programme combines academic presentations, interactive lectures and practical workshops.

On 2 October, discussions will explore music therapy in working with children and young people, emotional self-regulation, identity crises during wartime, support for families separated by war and therapeutic approaches for Ukrainian refugees.

International speakers include Alphonso Archer (United Kingdom), Luca Scavone, Marco Lolli and Alberto Balducci (Italy), Jurgita Žalgirytė-Skurdenienė and Kotryna Veronika Vainoraitė (Lithuania), and Andreas Wölfl (Germany).

On 3 October, participants will engage in practical workshops addressing music therapy for people affected by military trauma, the Nordoff-Robbins approach, musical improvisation, receptive music therapy and methods for developing communication and emotional expression.

Among the highlights, Oksana Zharinova-Sanderson (United Kingdom) will deliver an interactive lecture on the principles of Nordoff-Robbins music therapy. Other sessions will introduce practical techniques for stress reduction and therapeutic work with different groups.

The final day, 4 October, will focus on non-verbal communication, psychodynamic processes in musical dialogue and the therapeutic use of the human voice. German expert Gulsanam Sadik will deliver a lecture and workshop exploring the application of voice in psychotherapy.

For our Cooperation Office Lviv, supporting initiatives of this kind is an important part of strengthening Austrian-Ukrainian cooperation in education, science and healthcare.

The conference provides an opportunity to connect international expertise with the practical needs of Ukrainian society, particularly in mental health and psychosocial support, while building sustainable professional partnerships.