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/.
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