I have recently collaborated with Turku Together, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering community and meaningful social connections among both international and local residents in Turku. The workshop centred on the concept of defusion from the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) framework, combined art and self-reflection to help participants navigate and manage overwhelming daily life challenges. This blend of creativity and personal growth resulted in an inspiring experience.
Introduction to Turku Together
Turku Together embodies the spirit of inclusivity and social cohesion. By organizing events and gatherings, they create spaces where people from different backgrounds can come together, share experiences, and build lasting relationships. Their mission is to ensure that no one feels alone in Turku, promoting a sense of belonging and community. I am particularly grateful to Aya Ahmed, the founder, for her warm and enthusiastic support. Aya played a key role in connecting me with Alexandra Backman, a talented local artist, whose creative vision was instrumental in shaping the workshop’s unique blend of art and therapy.
Exploring human challenges
The workshop began with a thought-provoking discussion led by Alexandra and myself. We explored both ancient and modern-day emotional challenges, drawing a compelling parallel between the two. Just as our ancestors once faced life-threatening encounters with wild beasts, today we often confront overwhelming emotions and everyday challenges that can feel just as intense and daunting. For example, the stress of meeting deadlines or receiving an unexpected bill can evoke the same sense of urgency and terror as running away from a bear in the wilderness. This connection highlighted how, despite the differences in our environments, the emotional intensity of our experiences remains a common thread throughout human history. This introduction set the stage for participants to engage with their own emotional landscapes in a creative and therapeutic way.
Defusion
Defusion, within the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) framework, traditionally involves creating a psychological distance from thoughts, allowing individuals to view them as mental events rather than absolute truths. This concept, often referred to as cognitive defusion, helps promote psychological flexibility by fostering a mindful observation of thoughts without becoming entangled in them.
In a broader sense, the principles of defusion can also be applied to emotions and challenging experiences. Instead of trying to alter, suppress, or resist our internal experiences—such as thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations—we can focus on changing how we relate to them. By practicing defusion, individuals can develop a greater sense of detachment and understanding, which is essential for navigating complex emotions and experiences.
In the context of our workshop, participants engaged in a creative exercise where they tried to visually represent modern-day challenges – such as financial stress or the fear of missing out – as symbolic “monsters” or “creatures.” This unique approach allowed them to create a psychological distance between themselves and these experiences, observing them with greater clarity and less emotional entanglement. By giving form to these challenges through art, participants were able to observe and manage their emotional responses, reducing the negative impact of these experiences. By practicing defusion and adopting this mindset, we can learn to approach complex emotional challenges with greater perspective, fostering a sense of detachment and understanding. This exercise showed that defusion is not just a theoretical concept but a practical tool that can be applied in everyday life to enhance our psychological flexibility.
The workshop with Turku Together was a unique and enriching experience that combined art, self-reflection, and community engagement. We extend our sincere gratitude to Aya Ahmed and the Turku Together team for their collaboration and support. As we continue to collaborate together, we look forward to more opportunities to promote well-being and community cohesion through innovative and engaging events.
And if you are in Turku, our next workshop is just around the corner! To ensure you don’t miss this chance, keep an eye on our social media posts and updates. We look forward to seeing you there!
