ACADEMIC TEXTS REPOSITORY

Summary

The article addresses the problem of the loss and restoration of professional identity among pedagogical workers in conditions of prolonged uncertainty, which can complicate their emotional and psychological recovery. An analysis of contemporary scientific approaches to the study of professional identity is carried out, its structure is outlined, and key factors contributing to crisis development as well as strategies for overcoming it are identified. Emphasis is placed on the use of art therapy and body-oriented practices as tools for restoring internal resources, achieving psycho-emotional stabilization, and fostering self-reflection during crises. The methodological article examines the process of restoring professional identity through art therapy and body-oriented approaches. For the first time, the author proposes a methodology specifically designed to address this problem. The article clarifies how art therapy techniques can facilitate the restoration of an individual’s psycho-emotional state, support processes of self-knowledge, enhance emotional stability, and contribute to the formation of a pedagogical worker’s professional identity. An author’s methodology for exploring identity through the symbolism of the name is presented. An interdisciplinary study of professional identity under prolonged instability caused by the war in Ukraine is conducted. Specific examples are provided to illustrate the analysis of key approaches to studying identity and to demonstrate ways of effectively restoring professional identity in conditions of prolonged uncertainty, including war, loss of stability, and changes in social and professional roles. An effective master class is proposed, applicable in social work and psychological practice. A wide range of methods is identified for activating, supporting, and enhancing the internal resources of adults, which is especially valuable in contexts of psychological instability.