Specialization "WORKING WITH MENTAL TRAUMA AND PTSD"

The Ukrainian Institute of Applied Psychology and Psychotherapy invites applications for the specialization
"WORK WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA AND PTSD".

The program is intended for practicing specialists and students of the second stage of the professional training program in Gestalt therapy. Specialization in work with psychological trauma and PTSD involves learning the theory and practical methods, the specifics of the process and interventions from the point of view of Gestalt therapy, analysis of client's cases from the participants practice, work with personal traumatic experience.

Trainers of the program:
Olha Bilinska - psychotherapist, Gestalt therapist of EAGT, leader of therapeutic groups, trainer of programs for professional training of Gestalt therapists of the UIPPP. Since 2011, she has been conducting private practice, therapeutic groups, specialized courses and supervision for colleagues. She has a higher fundamental and specialized education, international qualifications and programs in psychotherapy. Over the years of practice, she has gained extensive clinical experience in working with crisis states, anxiety and depressive disorders, personality disorders, borderline and suicidal states, post-traumatic stress disorders, eating disorders, etc.

Valeriy Vovchenko (guest trainer) - psychotherapist, Gestalt therapist, EAGT accredited Gestalt therapist, NAGTU accredited supervisor, EMDR Europe accredited psychotherapist. Has additional education in schema therapy (UICPT), basics of psychotraumatology and trauma-focused CBT (UICPT), support of bodily processes and tools for working with manifestations of shock reactions. Has extensive clinical practice since 2013. Main area of professional interest: multimodal psychotherapeutic approach in working with crisis states and psychological trauma.

Program:
1. The concept of psychological trauma and PTSD. Causes, symptoms and consequences. Classification of traumatic events.
2. Neurobiology and physiology of trauma. Diagnostic criteria. Differential diagnosis, comorbid disorders and disorders in PTSD. Complex PTSD. Dissociation.
3. Techniques for stabilizing and restoring the client's self-regulation. Acute crisis situations. Psychological boundaries and frameworks of client-therapist interaction. Establishing contact in the client-therapeutic relationship.
4. A look at the consequences of a traumatic experience from the perspective of attachment theory. The impact of psychological trauma on contact with oneself, other people, and the world in the context of field theory and the theory of interaction between the organism and the environment.
5. Work with traumatic memories and changes in the system of basic ideas as a result of trauma, avoidant behavior. Dealing with feelings of helplessness, anger, guilt and shame. Revealing body sensitivity.
6. Rebuilding safety, trust and control in the new post-traumatic reality. Work on the edge of contact in the here and now. Support of Id and Ego functions. Development of creative adaptation.
7. Integration of the traumatic experience into the client's global life experience and perception. Reintegration. Working with the rebuilding of lost or broken connections, supports and representations.
8. Formation of a new self-image taking into account the experience gained. Search for resources. Formation of a strategy for the vision of the future and its further development. Developing self-help skills and finding a supportive environment. Formation of new values.
9. Completion and assimilation of acquired knowledge and experience. Professional support of a therapist. Analyzing client's cases. Work under supervision.

Start: April 25-26, 2026.

Dates of trainings:
1. 25-26.04.2026
2. 27-28.06.2026
3. 22-23.08.2026
4. 24-25.10.2026
5. 19-20.12.2026
6. 13-14.02.2027
7. 17-18.04.2027
8. 19-20.06.2027
9. 21-22.08.2027

9 two-day trainings.
Format: online, Zoom platform.
Number of participants: 20
Cost 110 euros  

The specialization is credited to students of the 2nd level of Gestalt therapy to fulfill the conditions of certification.

Before applying the program should be taken the preliminary interview with a trainer.
Such an interview is conducted online in the form of a video conference and lasts no longer than 20 minutes.