Hello, and welcome to my page!

My name is Nataliya, with a Y, a grateful human being, daughter, mother, sister, and wife, with a vibrant background rooted in Eastern Europe. Born and raised in the rich cultures of Eastern Europe, up tell I was about 20, my journey has taken me across borders and continents, forging a diverse, engaging, and, at times, challenging path. But that story is for another time. Here is a brief.

Before I swept away to the United States, I studied design for the first year and, in the summer, traveled to work with my parents, side by side, renovating our customers’ living spaces. Everything I learned about serving others came from my momma and my grandparents (her side of the family). The one family I call home, to whom I am honored to belong. Wow, it rhymes 🙂

My years in a new country—learning a new language, raising my kids, studying, and immersing myself in this culture—culminated in earning citizenship, which fills me with pride and gratitude. Over the years, my professional career has centered on county government, specifically criminal processes, procedures, and records. I’ve always been interested in justice and ensuring systems run efficiently and fairly, and my role has let me channel that passion into tangible action, serving this community with pride. During COVID, I was the essential employee. I had to show up to work during the worldwide lockdown. We still applied ourselves.  My desire to serve and make a difference found a rewarding outlet in this invaluable organization. I learned a lot. Somehow, I still made time to do a little more on the weekend and during my vacation. I guess I could not sit still.

I’m also honored to have been a co-founder of the National Child Protection Task Force (NCPTF) even before its official formation in 2019. My role within the NCPTF has been multifaceted, from managing behind-the-scenes details to organizing the inaugural conference in 2019 during COVID-19. Additionally, as time goes on, I take immense pride in organizing and planning events—a critical role in ensuring our mission runs smoothly and effectively.

Through my experiences, I’ve learned that life is about the journey and the people you meet, and what you can do for others. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a journey filled with growth, resilience, and the chance to meet so many who contribute meaningfully to society. As I look to the future, I hope to continue building on this path, embracing challenges, and contributing in the most impactful ways possible. I am so grateful to be part of the art therapy community over the past few years, studying the possibilities for a deeper understanding of the human brain and working to heal the inner voice through diverse practices. I found a connection to myself and peace amid all the hardships on my life’s journey.

Letting your mind wander in healthy ways is not only good for your mood—it’s a powerful tool for nervous system regulation. When life gets overwhelming, your imagination can step in as a soft buffer. Not to escape—but to reframe. To help you see challenges through a more creative lens. The researchers found that this kind of inner playfulness doesn’t disconnect you from reality—it reconnects you to it with more resilience. In their words, it “helps people adaptively regulate their emotions and respond to stress without becoming overwhelmed.”

You’re not “spacing out” when you daydream with intention—you’re tuning in. Imagination is your inner architect. It sketches the energy you want to embody, even when life feels messy. A wandering mind, it turns out, can be the most powerful compass.

Let it take you somewhere softer. Somewhere clearer. Somewhere you haven’t been—yet. I also briefly took a course to brush up on positive psychology.  You may find it interesting. Best of luck in your journey, and thank you for taking the time to stop by.

Sinserily, Nataliya

Source:Rubinstein, D. et al. (2025). Fantastic Reality and Playfulness as a Means for Adaptive Emotion Regulation. International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, 10(1).https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41042-025-00135-3