How can you stand up for yourself without aggression? Say “no” without feeling guilty? Express your thoughts without shutting down?

These questions became the foundation of practical trainings conducted by the psychologists of the Siviora Charitable Foundation for 8th, 9th, and 10th grade students of Universum Lyceum.
Topic: “Communication Marks. The Importance of Assertive Communication.”

Assertive communication is not just about words. It is about psychological resilience: a teenager’s ability to understand themselves, express their needs, protect personal boundaries, and respect the boundaries of others.
 In adolescence, when personality is still being shaped, such skills are the foundation of confidence, emotional balance, and healthy relationships.

During the trainings we:
 🔹 examined communication styles — passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive,
 🔹 discussed how to respond to pressure, manipulation, or criticism,
 🔹 practiced “I-messages” — a tool that helps express emotions without blame,
 🔹 worked in pairs and groups, role-playing real-life situations.

It was a lively dialogue — simple words about complex things. About the daily challenges teenagers face. And about the inner resources that help overcome them.

We thank Universum Lyceum for the cooperation, and the students — for their activity, openness, and deep reflections.
We believe: knowledge supported by practice stays for a long time 💛