The ESTSS4Ukraine (E4U) Taskforce was established prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, initially to support the Ukrainian Society in developing a comprehensive national education programme in psychotraumatology. Following the invasion, the scope and urgency of the Taskforce’s work expanded significantly in response to the increasing and complex needs of Ukrainian psychologists and mental health professionals working in conditions of ongoing war.
Since then, the E4U Taskforce has developed into a long-term ESTSS project, combining education, supervision, and capacity building. The Taskforce remains fully operational, and continued support is considered essential.
Education and Training Programme
Since 2022, the E4U Taskforce has supported the development and delivery of a structured education programme in the diagnosis and treatment of psychotrauma-related disorders. All courses are translated into Ukrainian and adapted to the local context.
In 2025, the Ukrainian Society received ESTSS approval for the basic level of the curriculum, marking an important milestone in the project. Alongside the core programme, specialised therapeutic training has been provided.
Courses delivered include:
- Foundations of Psychotrauma I & II
- Standalone basic modules of Foundations of Psychotrauma
- Techniques of resource activation and emotional stabilisation
- Self-awareness and mental hygiene (burnout and secondary traumatisation)
- Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)
- EMDR
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (TF-CBT)
Approximately 200 unique participants took part in training activities in 2025.
Supervision and Support for Mental Health Professionals
Immediately following the invasion in 2022, the E4U Taskforce introduced online supervision groups for Ukrainian psychologists and mental health professionals. These clinicians face high caseloads involving acute and complex trauma, while often being personally affected by the war.
Supervision is delivered online and supported by professional interpreters. Evaluation data presented at the ESTSS 2025 Conference in Tbilisi indicated that participants experienced increased professional support and reduced feelings of isolation.
In 2025, supervision activities included regular guided sessions, complemented by peer-led intervision periods, involving over 100 Ukrainian mental health professionals.
Sustainability and Capacity Building
A key long-term objective of the ESTSS4Ukraine project is sustainability. The aim is to enable the Ukrainian Society to independently develop and deliver psychotrauma education in Ukrainian, tailored to national needs.
To support this objective, the Taskforce is working towards:
- Defining clear criteria for trainers and supervisors
- Identifying and supporting potential Ukrainian candidates
- Prioritising the development of a qualified supervisor pool
Plans for 2026
In 2026, the ESTSS4Ukraine Taskforce plans to:
- Finalise and seek ESTSS approval for the advanced level of the curriculum
- Deliver the complete curriculum (basic and advanced)
- Continue bi-weekly supervision for multiple groups
- Introduce additional specialised courses, including:
- Advanced diagnostic skills (with a focus on CAPS-5-R)
- Psychotrauma and addiction (comorbidity)
- Continue evaluation of supervision and support interventions
- Prepare a professional and scientific publication based on this work
Funding and Acknowledgement
The majority of ESTSS4Ukraine activities are delivered by Taskforce members, trainers, and supervisors on a voluntary basis or at strongly reduced rates. However, real-time translation for supervision sessions represents a significant and unavoidable structural cost.
The ESTSS4Ukraine Taskforce expresses its deep gratitude to colleagues from DeGPT, whose significant financial support in 2024 and 2025 has been essential for the continuation of supervision activities within the project.
Support for the ESTSS4Ukraine Project
The need for education, supervision, and professional support in Ukraine remains high. To ensure the sustainability of the ESTSS4Ukraine project, donations and financial contributions are warmly welcomed.
Contributions are used primarily to support translation services and to maintain access to supervision and training for Ukrainian mental health professionals.
Donations via Bank Transfer
European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS)
ABN-AMRO Bank
Oegstgeest
The Netherlands
IBAN: NL21ABNA0538317590
BIC: ABNANL2A
Payment description: ESTSS4Ukraine
Donations via Credit Card
Donations can also be made by credit card.
Click here or scan the QR code below.
Acknowledgement
The ESTSS4Ukraine Taskforce sincerely thanks all colleagues and supporters who contribute to the continuation of this work in support of Ukrainian mental health professionals.
