I applied to Murmó as a volunteer in 2017, during my second year as a psychology student, and throughout the three years I spent there, I gained an incredible amount of experience, knowledge, and meaningful memories that I would not have had the opportunity to acquire elsewhere. My very first encounter with Murmó was already highly defining for me, because the moment I walked in, I immediately felt that I had found a purpose. Here, I was able to experience exactly what I hope to achieve myself one day after many years of studying. During my university years, it gave me a great sense of security to belong to a professional community that served as an inspiring example for me — and one that I could not only observe from the outside but also gain insight into from within. Volunteering here gave me a perspective on the kind of work I will truly be able to pursue with dedication and enthusiasm in the future, and it also showed me the path through which I might achieve it.

Among Murmó’s events, the Parent Clubs became my favourites over the years. Besides always gaining new knowledge from the invited professionals, I found the stories shared and the questions asked by parents especially interesting. I believe the Parent Club is an excellent opportunity not only to expand one’s knowledge, but also to gain practical insight into what currently concerns parents regarding a given topic. In a few years, we ourselves will likely be the graduated psychologists receiving these very questions, so it is undoubtedly valuable to gain this perspective early on.

I consider it a huge advantage that the professionals at Murmó work as a team and come from a variety of professional backgrounds. As a volunteer, this provides a wonderful opportunity to become familiar with many different fields and to better understand the various training paths available to us.

After two years of volunteering, I was given the opportunity to join a therapeutic group at Murmó as a volunteer. It was a great honour for me to receive this opportunity, because here I could directly meet and work with the children attending the sessions. Participating in the groups is not only a tremendous opportunity but also a significant responsibility, since through our presence we become part of the therapeutic process itself. Joining a group therefore requires strong commitment, but I believe this commitment pays off completely, as it offers immensely valuable experiences. In addition to gaining a realistic understanding of various mental disorders, it is also an excellent opportunity to observe the work of the group-leading psychologists firsthand. By observing their presence and reactions within the group, one can learn and grow tremendously. At the same time, the volunteer’s role is not merely passive observation; they must also work on their own presence — for example, ensuring that the personal information they share is authentic, yet never burdensome for the group. The few months I was able to spend alongside the “Szabad kikötő” group were deeply defining for me, and the experience greatly shaped my perspective.

Written by Anna Nesztor.

#methodological presentation #Art Salon #art therapy #Pro Juventa Foundation #Thematic Parent Club