Agniya Pasechnik

Country: Dubai, Russia

Organization: Private practice

Short CV

Agniya Pasechnik is a Person-Centred Psychologist (MSc), Hypnotherapist and PhD candidate. She has dedicated her life to studying human connections across diverse cultures, having been born in Russia but lived in the USA, Switzerland, the UK, Italy, and the Middle East. With a keen interest in the intricate dynamics of everyday encounters, Agniya has co-authored the pioneering educational program PICK (Pluralingual Intercultural Creative Keys), which empowers teachers to nurture creativity in children. Operating in Dubai, she offers individual and art therapy group sessions, where she believes therapy transcends when it becomes an art form that demands authenticity from the therapist.

Short presentation

Title: Transformation from Solitude through Polyphony towards Unison: Exploring the Phenomena of Encounter in Everyday Life

Encounter has long been recognised as a pivotal point in therapeutic processes, fostering transformative changes in individuals’ lives and perceptions of interactions. As our world undergoes rapid and transformative changes, understanding the dynamics of human interaction in everyday life takes on renewed significance. The empirical study that we present, firmly rooted in grounded theory methodology, sets out to unravel the intricate phenomenon of Encounter in diverse cultural contexts. Our research represents the first stage of a cross-cultural inquiry, focusing on the Russian-speaking population.

One of the central findings of our research is the identification of four distinct phases of Encounter, each corresponding to different states of the Self: the latent Self, the appearing Self, the manifested Self, and the transpersonal Self. These phases are accompanied by various states of mind and probabilities of Encounter.

Crucially, our study reveals that the manifested Self represents a profound transformation of the individual. This journey transcends the solitary Self and progresses through the complexities of polyphony, culminating in unison. This state of unison serves as the embodiment of the Encounter. It signifies a transformation that extends beyond the Self – a phenomenon that expands Carl Roger’s framework of Self and Fully Functioning Person.

In conclusion, this research underscores the transformative power of Encounter in everyday life and its potential to reshape our understanding of human psychology. It provides a superstructure that enriches existing theories, inviting a deeper exploration of the complexities of human connection.