ALLY PUBLICO started her journey as a fine arts major only for things to reach a different twist as she is now taking up her masters degree in psychology.
While studying, she created artworks centered on her experiences on mental health, posting them on Instagram.
Eventually she compiled all of them and made it into a book, which she would sell during conventions.
In an exclusive with SPIN.ph, Publico admitted that all of this wasn't a part of her plans.
"It was more of an accidental kind of thing, I just started making it out of my own reflections of therapy, and they were just sort of things that I made in a way to journal or created a diary of my experiences and reflections."
"I just compiled them together and they seem to create a really good theme and I would share them online on Instagram and people would tell me that they could relate to these stories and I decided to compile them and turn them into a book," she revealed.
Her books don't have plot points, however they have certain themes. Letters from Therapy Vol. Zero would focus on one's dialogue with their inner child, mental health and happiness.
Then Letters from Therapy: I Was Only Dreaming explores themes of dreams, drowning, the underwater, fish imagery, and abuse.
Art as a form of therapy
As a fine arts student, Publico was used to the traditions centered on art. However her journey has brought a new realization that would eventually mold a new path.
"I was used to the narrative of art being for advertising or commercial purposes and I was just fed up with that and I realized that art could be more than just. I realized that art could also be used for healing and helping people deal with their difficult things," reflected Publico.
"So I wanted to integrate art with therapy or art with psychology."
This eventually served as her motivation to pursue a career as a psychologist.
"I ultimately decided to stay and really push with this dream of becoming a psychologist because I started to see myself embody that persona of someone who wants to help people through art."
And to add to her motivation is her message to the public.
"I think that's also another motivator for me to share this with other people so that when I become a psychologist, they see that I'm not just telling people on what they should do to get over what they've been through," she started.
"I want them to know that I want to help them too and that they're not alone."
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