The BURN project Winter School officially launched on January 13, 2025, with the mission of training specialists to provide psychological support at the Centers for Psychological Resilience and Wellbeing in five Ukrainian universities.

The opening ceremony was led by Professor Lars Kulchinke from the International Psychoanalytical University of Berlin (IPU Berlin GmbH), who outlined the training structure and offered guidance for effective learning.

The program began with a workshop by Mark Grant, the developer of chronic pain management protocols based on F. Shapiro’s methods. Participants examined human reactions to trauma and explored therapeutic strategies for addressing post-traumatic effects.

The day included reviewing field-specific literature and protocols, analyzing the impact of trauma, and working with practical case studies. Video materials featuring Mark Grant’s commentary provided additional insights. Ukrainian partners praised the resources as highly valuable for their work.

On January 14, Prof. Dr. Phil. Lutz Wittmann conducted a session on working with trauma survivors. He introduced a theoretical framework grounded in Bion’s concept of the unknown, emphasizing thematic experiences over subjective accounts of trauma.

Dr. Wittmann presented his original model, developed through statistical analysis of client data, and highlighted the role of transference and “authentic moments” in therapy—crucial points where clients disconnect or break contact, offering opportunities for deeper therapeutic engagement. Case studies illustrated psychodynamic techniques and intervention strategies.

January 15 focused on EMDR-assisted therapy protocols for chronic pain. Mark Grant guided participants through extended and abbreviated EMDR protocols and their integration with other therapeutic methods.

Case studies illustrated the use of bilateral stimulation, with a focus on desensitization processes. Mark emphasized the importance of attending to clients’ subjective experiences and shared insights from his 20 years of expertise, offering practical advice for newcomers to the protocol.

The BURN Winter School provided an invaluable platform for skill-building and knowledge-sharing, equipping specialists to support psychological resilience in their communities.

More information about the project https://burn.kdpu.edu.ua/.

#ErasmusPlus #ErasmusUA
#BURN_Project #psychology_centers_HEI #PostWarRestoration #PsychologicalResilience

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On January 13, 2025, the BURN project Winter School was officially launched. The primary goal of the project is to train specialists who will provide psychological support at the Centers for Psychological Resilience and Wellbeing in five Ukrainian universities.

The Winter School was officially opened by Professor Lars Kulchinke from the International Psychoanalytical University of Berlin (IPU Berlin GmbH). He introduced the training structure and provided recommendations for effective learning.

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On December 18, 2024, the consortium for the project Boosting University Psychological Resilience and Wellbeing in (Post-) War Ukrainian Nation (BURN) held a productive virtual meeting to review progress, discuss ongoing tasks, and plan future activities. Representatives from all partner universities participated, contributing updates and insights on various aspects of the project.

The meeting opened with welcome words and the approval of the agenda. Key topics included the progress of work packages for 2024, planning for 2025 activities, and the submission of annual reports and financial documentation. Updates were provided on developing university crisis psychology courses, the outcomes of recent round tables, and preparations for an upcoming study visit in March 2025. Discussions also addressed the organization of the Winter School, dissemination and communication strategies, and ideas for scientific publications and community outreach to enhance the project's impact.

Quality assurance results from the year’s activities were reviewed, highlighting successes and areas for improvement. The consortium reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining high standards in all project deliverables.

The meeting concluded with a summary of achievements and priorities for the coming year, setting a clear path for continued collaboration and success. Participants expressed their gratitude for the collective efforts driving the BURN project forward.

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On December 3, 2024, a round table within the framework of the BURN project was held at Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University in a HyFlex format, bringing together Ukrainian and European partners to discuss the creation of the Psychological Well-being and Resilience Center. The event was attended by Professor Lars Kulhinke (International Psychoanalytic University of Berlin), Dr. Laura Pirsko (University of Latvia), Shapira Razuvaeva (University of Tartu), as well as Vice-Rector Professor Irina Pavlivna Zadorozhna (Ternopil National Pedagogical University), who serves as the project manager at the leading university.

The round table was attended by the project team, including O. Ostroushko, K. Bondar, O.Bilozir, O.Shestopalova, O. Charkina, Z. Miroshnik, O. Kogut, as well as representatives from university departments, such as the social and psychological service, psychology departments, and stakeholders of the university (O. Golubieva, L. Vasyuk, H. Ostinina, N. Tokareva, O. Titova, O. Shilo).

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Representatives of Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University (KSPU) at the BURN project training visit to Berlin were V. Hamaniuk, K. Bondar, and O. Shestopalova. The visit focused on improving strategies for strengthening psychological resilience and providing support in trauma work during crises. This week-long initiative, organized by a network of international partners, aimed to expand knowledge and training on resilience and develop specialized strategies for addressing war-related trauma.

The visit began with welcoming speeches from Professors Birgit Sturmer and Lars Kuehinke from the International Psychoanalytic University (IPU), who provided a meaningful overview of mental health support in wartime. Their introduction set a positive tone for the professional psychologists and consortium members. The first part of the program featured ueberleben.org, a Berlin-based centre offering culturally sensitive psychological services for refugees and migrants affected by conflicts. The centre’s staff shared their approach to working with traumatized communities, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity in strengthening resilience.

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From September 23 to 27, 2024, a group of faculty members from the Department of Practical Psychology of Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University (KSPU), consisting of Assoc. Prof. O. Charkina, Assoc. Prof. O. Shestopalova, and Prof. Z. Miroshnyk, participated in an educational visit organized by the Faculty of Education and Psychology of the University of Latvia within the framework of the Erasmus+ KA project "Enhancing Psychological Resilience and Well-Being in (Post)War Ukraine" (BURN). This project plays a crucial role in the development of psychological resilience and mental health in Ukraine, especially in the context of post-war recovery.

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The first series of training webinars within the Erasmus+ BURN project, coordinated by Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University (Ternopil), with the Kirovograd State Pedagogical University as the dissemination partner, has concluded. The webinars, which took place from April 22 to May 27, 2024, were part of the training cycle "Course Development Principles in the EU" under the BURN project – "Strengthening the Psychological Resilience and Well-being of Universities in (Post-)War Ukraine" (No. 101129379-BURN-ERASMUS-EDU-2023-CBHE), funded by the EU through the Erasmus+ KA2 CBHE competition.

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On April 29, 2024, the BURN project hosted a webinar titled "Latvian Experience in Syllabus Development," led by Dr. Anda Upmane, Associate Professor and Director of the Bachelor’s Program in Psychology at the University of Latvia. The webinar provided an in-depth discussion of the standards for training psychologists. It was particularly important to note that the bachelor’s program does not qualify graduates for professional practice; it prepares them for roles as research assistants, with a mandatory three-year research experience. In contrast, the two-year master's program, as per Latvian legislation since 2019, allows graduates to practice as psychologists and take a certification exam after one year of supervised practice.

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On April 22, 2024, a webinar titled "Estonian Experience in Syllabus Development," led by Anu Leuska from the University of Tartu, provided an in-depth look at the challenges of creating curricula specifically tailored to the needs of educators and social workers. The main focus was on developing an elective course called "Introduction to Crisis Intervention." Anu Leuska's presentation highlighted the complex processes involved in structuring and filling these courses to ensure proper training for educators working with children in crises (grief, threats, behaviour issues, suicidal tendencies) in educational settings.

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The successful launch of the Erasmus+ BURN project (101129379-BURN-ERASMUS-EDU-2023-CBHE) marks the beginning of an important initiative. The event took place at the University of Tartu, Estonia, from February 12 to 14, 2024.

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