PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (selected)
03/2022 – : My Universe Photography Project MUPhotoSci.org, Founder https://muphotosci.org/
Photography as a tool in neuroscientific research, mental health care, and prevention, and neurobiological language in psychotherapy
We care about mental health and well-being of people using photography and help people to grow, to heal, to self-knowledge, to self-acceptance, to self-love, to improve the quality of life and perception using method developed by us — photography-evoked self-other-relations mindfulness photographic and visual inquiry (PESORM*). We create kind, compassionate and loving community that contributes to the evolution of human consciousness and we bring peace, meaning and expanding consciousness into human existence via photography. We study consciousness and all behind the life via photography and biological insights, we have been developing biological saturating model of consciousness for neurodevelopmental diseases and we try to get insights into the relationship between subjective and physical reality via photography.
2015 – Freelance Photographer, Worldwide, Cooperation with Industry, Art, Commercial Sectors (for details please visit Exhibitions & Awards Section)
06/2020 – : Singulart, France, Artist, www.singulart.com
01/2014 – : Saatchiart, L.A., Artist, www.saatchiart.com
My photographs and paintings are included in private collections worldwide (in the Czech Republic, Berlin, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Michigan, Italy, Austria …), in Excellence Collections of Art Limited / Paris (24-times), in Selected Collections of Saatchi Art, in Art Limited Editors Selections for Title Page (10-times).
10/2013 – : Voitopi, Prague, Czech Republic Company Founder / Co-Owner / Director, from 2024 Voitopi is dedicated as an unique photographic project to women, all other projects including documentary, art and therapeutic photography continue to come under my name.
Art And Documentary Photography & Books, Voitopi Free Expression PhotoTherapy Method, Using Photography As A Self-Therapy Courses And Workshops, Photo—therapeutic Diaries, Voitopi Photographic Programs for both Adults And Children, Documentary For Industry And Commercial www.voitopi.com
Since 2015, I have been developing the „Voitopi Free Expression PhotoTherapy Method“ (VOFRE PhotoTherapy) – a method of free expression of the photographed person containing elements of play, meditation, bodywork, free expression, imagination and conscious authenticity. In the Free Expression process, everyone gains the courage and strength to be who they really are. The approach is non-evaluative, non-judgmental, supportive, and unconditionally accepting. The benefit of VOFRE PhotoTherapy is for the photographed (adult) support of self-confidence, self-esteem, regeneration, mental relaxation, confirmation of uniqueness, space and time for self-expression, the possibility of finding one’s own essence, unconditional self-acceptance. In children, the method promotes free expression, self-confidence, imagination and concentration. The result of each individual process tailored to the individual are photographs that bring dreaminess, positive energy and love to life („mindfullness part of goals“), and empowerment and self-efficacy („therapeutic part of goals“).
2015 – : Freelance Counselor & Facilitator – work with women and children to help & support self-growth, self-esteem, self-acceptance, women´s choices, women´s empowerment, psychosocial tasks, visual awareness & art of seeing via photography and photographic process (+ freelance scientific consultant, please visit Linkedin link or contact me for full CV)
08/2016 – 01/2019: Board Member of Hippokrates Endowment Fund, Gynecologic Oncology Center of General Teaching Hospital, Prague www.nadace-hippokrates.cz, www.apolinar.cz
03/2007 – 09/2013: 3rd Department of Medicine, 1st Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic, Clinical Scientist
10/2000 – 10/2007: Institute of Endocrinology, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Prague, Clinical Scientist, Research Associate
EDUCATION
2022 – 2023: Robert Gordon University, Scotland, PGCert Therapeutic Photography
Focus: Photography, Human Psychosocial Development,
1998 – 2006: Charles University, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Czech Republic
Ph.D. Scientific Degree in Biomedicine (Human Physiology, Neurobiology), 2006, Specialization: Neuroendocrinology, Immunology, Cell Biology
Doctor of Natural Sciences Degree „DSc.“, 2003, Specialization: Neurobiology, Human Physiology
Master of Natural Sciences Degree „MSc.“, 2003, Specialization: Biology
Diploma, Rigorous and Dissertation Theses in the topic of Neuroendocrinology and Pathophysiology of Eating Disorders
For my full CV (including scientific consulting and my enthusiasm for photography and photographic visual language process and research (both mental and visual) etc.) please visit the link below or contact me:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivana-dostalova-20a54745/
SELECTED COURSES, PEDAGOGICAL AND PUBLICATION ACTIVITIES
Courses:
03/2024-05/2024 The Professional Course in Positive Neuroplasticity Training, Dr. Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Berkeley, UC Berkeley´s Greater Good Science Center
2007 Clinical Microdialysis Certified (Prof. Urban Ungerstedt, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden)
11/2007 Copenhagen, Denmark, Muscle Microdialysis (Copenhagen University Hospital)
05 – 06/2008 Prague, Czech Republic, First Aid Course of Red Cross
Selected pedagogical and publication activities:
Opponencies of Doctoral Theses on the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague (Human Physiology and Pathophysiology)
Lectures on Pathophysiology for Foreign Students (Regulation of Food Intake, Pathophysiology of Eating Disorders) – 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague
Author or Co-author of 30 Scientific Articles in Impacted Journals (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nutrition, Molecular Endocrinology, Physiological Research etc.) 1400+ Citations Worldwide. More on www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed
Poster or Oral Presentations on Czech and Foreign Scientific and Medical Conferences
Scientific Awards:
Czech Medical Society Award for the Publication of the Year Winner (2007)
Česká hlava Award (2003), supported by Prof. Karel Pacak, Nominated Finalist, for the clinical research of Eating Disorders
Special Skills:
Breathe Out Art & Photography (Self-)Therapy, Clinical Microdialysis, Therapeutic Potential Of Photography, The Game Of Painting, Voitopi The Game Of Photography For Self-Healing And Self-Growth, Visual Storytelling, VOFRE (Voitopi Free Expression PhotoTherapy Method)
Membership:
British Journal Of Photography
Collectives: Just Women Image Nations Paris
AUTHOR´S BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
V co věří Nelly Butterfly What Nelly Butterfly Believes IN (2017) CZ/EN philosophical / paintings children´s book, Publisher Jonathan Livingston
O čem sní princezna Elly Sky (2018) CZ photographic collages – children´s book, Publisher Jonathan Livingston
Freddie a Fifi v Mezisvětě (2021) CZ – hand engraven illustrations / fantasy philosophical, children´s book Publisher Jonathan Livingston