
The third module of the trauma therapy training for therapists from Ukraine took place from April 22 to 25, 2024. The seminar is part of a total of eight modules, some of which take place online and some in a beautifully located training center of the Catholic Church outside Lviv. Together with the Kolping Society in Ukraine, with this project we are responding to the lack of qualified trauma therapists in the war-torn country.
Our team member Julia Borchardt reports that the group has noticeably grown closer. “It’s a pleasant working atmosphere and you could tell from the warm welcome today how familiar they have become with each other. They are eager to learn and curious about the content. For many, it’s also a chance to get away from their own work, to switch off and concentrate on their own topics.
In this module, the participants learned how to diagnose trauma-related disorders and tried out various treatment methods. This included an imaginary encounter with the inner child, the Positive Life Events screening method and work with personal resources.
The participants shared many personal and difficult experiences and strengthened each other: “Before the 1st module I was still afraid and worried about what kind of people I would meet. During the 2nd module I was very pleased. And before the 3rd module, I could hardly wait to see you all again.”
They reported how the exercises themselves helped them: “When imagining the inner child, I felt the carefreeness of a six-year-old. As an adult, I no longer know this feeling at all. I really enjoyed that.”
And they learned a lot about themselves. One participant summarized the seminar as follows: “We felt, understood and experienced that we are survivors.”