Yana Gololob

Speech

Courageous Hearts: Impact of Wartime Experiences on Personality and Therapeutic Relationships

Description

The ongoing full-scale war in Ukraine has profoundly shaped the lives of its people, including psychotherapists and their clients. This presentation aims to explore the intricate dynamics between wartime experiences, therapist personality, and the therapeutic relationship.

I will discuss the profound impact of wartime experiences on personal and professional transformation, examining how they influence the beliefs, values, and resilience of therapists and shape their interactions with clients. We will delve into the nuanced distinctions Ukrainian psychotherapists make between difficult client experiences and trauma, considering cultural and contextual factors.

Additionally, I will address practical challenges related to ethical dilemmas faced by therapists working in conflict zones. Emphasizing the vital role of self-care and support networks, this presentation will explore the need of strategies to mitigate burnout, manage vicarious trauma, and maintain emotional resilience in this demanding professional context.

Short bio

Yana Gololob, Master’s degree in Psychology, is a person-centred psychotherapist in private practice, a trainer and supervisor of the Ukrainian Umbrella Association of Psychotherapists, a lecturer of the Ukrainian Psychotherapy University, and a guest lecturer at the Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts. She is a co-author and co-director of the person-centered children and youth therapy training project. She is a current Board member of the World Association for Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapy and Counseling. Her main concern is with the development of the person-centered approach both in Ukraine and worldwide. In this regard, she has contributed to and co-edited together with Gina Di Malta, Mick Cooper, Maureen O’Hara, and Susan Stephen The Handbook of Person-Centred Psychotherapy & Counselling, 3rd edition (Bloomsbury, in press).