The art of constructive dialogue in times of uncertainty: an informational and educational meeting

The Educational Psychological-Consultative Laboratory of Berdyansk State Pedagogical University organized and hosted an informational and educational event titled «The Art of Constructive Dialogue in Times of Uncertainty». The speaker was Viktoriia Fedoryk, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Psychology and Head of the Laboratory.

Today’s realities dictate new demands for interaction within the educational and academic environment. Constant stress and uncertainty often heighten emotional tension, making the preservation of psychological resources and constructive communication exceptionally relevant. The meeting began with a brief emotional check-in using projective techniques, which helped participants become aware of their current state and identify their communication goals.

During the theoretical block, attendees examined the essence and principles of constructive dialogue in detail, including focusing on the subject matter, active listening, psychological flexibility, and orienting toward collaborative solutions. The nature of disagreement was also highlighted, along with its main types and key conflict management strategies based on the Thomas-Kilmann model. The speaker paid special attention to selecting the appropriate interaction strategy depending on circumstances and available emotional resources.

The practical part of the event combined reflective and art-therapeutic approaches. Through the exercise «It Would Be Great in a Conflict Situation…», participants learned to separate their internal locus of control from the external one and to transform passive expectations of others into proactive steps of their own. Additionally, the art-therapeutic technique «Lines of Conflict», built upon the metaphor of interacting colors and shapes, helped participants deeply explore and reframe complex communication scenarios.

The concluding takeaway of the meeting was a reminder that the true value of any interaction lies in preserving human connection, mutual respect, and support. The organizers extend their gratitude to all attendees for their active participation, openness, and dedication to developing their conflict resolution competence.

Based on materials from the Educational
Psychological Counseling Laboratory