Organization of a series of educational events for mental health professionals, led by our foundation's mentor, Dr. Roger Solomon, a philosopher and psychologist specializing in trauma and grief.

The program's goal is to enhance the qualifications of Ukrainian experts conducting psychotherapeutic individual sessions for those dealing with PTSD and complex traumas.

The meetings took the form of educational demonstrations of EMDR therapy for war survivors, veterans, and individuals who have experienced severe injuries or amputations.

15 psychotherapists from Ukraine participated in the training, during which they had the opportunity to learn from the internationally recognized specialist in trauma work.

• August-September 2023 (online)

Through collaboration with the British foundation “Think Equal”, Ganna Dudnyk participated in the production of the documentary series 'Rebuilding Ukraine,' filmed in both Ukraine and Britain.

In this series, psychologists offer participants valuable insights into PTSD and the challenges associated with conflict. They provide them with tools and strategies to effectively manage and ultimately overcome trauma, anxiety, stress, and other common responses to war. In a specific episode, Ganna demonstrates the efficacy of processing traumatic experiences using the EMDR approach while working with Ukrainian defenders.

These video resources can serve as valuable educational and illustrative aids for professionals seeking further understanding or professional development.

Explore the Episodes

In collaboration with New Horizons HUB, we provided psychological support to veterans participating in the project. The New Horizons HUB project aims to help veterans adapt to civilian life by acquiring IT-related professional skills.

Throughout the course, we conducted psychoeducational sessions to enhance understanding of the impact of stress reactions on well-being and the learning process. We provided effective self-help tools and conducted screenings of participants' psychological states. Group sessions were held to enhance resilience and reduce the risk of developing delayed onset PTSD. Veterans diagnosed with PTSD attended individual sessions.

As a result, there was a reduction in the expression of PTSD symptoms, an improvement in sleep quality, and a cessation of flashbacks.

• 1st Course - Summer-Fall 2023 (online)

As part of the program “Building Psychological Resilience for Ukrainians”, our Foundation conducted a series of in-person sessions offering free psychological support.

The project's objective was to alleviate psychological tension, enhance awareness of mental health issues, foster resilience, and equip Ukrainians with tools and self-help techniques during times of conflict in the country.

A multidisciplinary team of professionals, including a psychologist, psychotherapist, clinical neuropsychologist, somatic therapist, and yoga instructor, conducted five specialized sessions.

Forty participants took part in the project, reporting a significant reduction in stress levels, decreasing from an average of 8 to 2.8 on a 10-point scale, following the sessions.

• July 2023 (Odesa, Ukraine)

The group crisis intervention session aimed at preventing the development of persistent symptoms of mental disorders and maladaptation was successfully completed. This initiative was designed to alleviate distress for individuals profoundly impacted by the extensive shelling in Southern Ukraine.

The session utilized the G-TEP protocol, a specialized group EMDR therapy technique—an evidence-based psychotherapeutic method endorsed by the WHO for mitigating the aftermath of traumatic events and facilitating stabilization and recovery from traumatic conditions.

Facilitator: Yevheniia Shatunova, CBT Therapist.

Number of participants: 15 individuals.

The feedback was highly positive, with attendees reporting a reduction in stress levels, a subjective improvement in well-being, and a bolstered sense of resilience.

• July 2023 (Odesa, Ukraine)

In collaboration with the “Institute of Health Psychology”, educational events were conducted:

• A webinar on “Feelings of Guilt”, where participants were equipped with tools for crisis intervention when dealing with feelings of guilt. This event was tailored for volunteers and psychologists providing crisis counseling to displaced persons at border crossing points.

• March 2022 (online)

• An inter-module meeting on “Modification of the Four Fields Technique” - a training session focused on an effective technique for stabilizing emotional states in the context of wartime conditions. This technique has a wide range of applications, addressing irrational cognitions, traumatic memories, triggers, future projections, and night terrors. It has demonstrated efficacy in working with individuals who have experienced concussions. This event was organized for Ukrainian psychologists and psychotherapists.

• July 2022 (online)

In the initial months of the full-scale invasion, sessions were conducted to stabilize and alleviate acute stress reactions using EMDR protocols.

The aim was to enhance psychological well-being in critical situations, reduce distress, and prevent the development of anxiety states and PTSD symptoms.

Facilitated by Ganna Dudnyk, the sessions involved 150 participants. Over the course of three months, 30 meetings were held regularly twice a week under Dudnyk's guidance.

Primary concerns raised included anxiety, sleep disturbances, apathy, feelings of isolation, guilt, and more.

Results: all participants reported successful adaptation to the situation, with the subjective stress level decreasing on average from 9 to 7 points on a 10-point scale.

• February - June 2022 (online)