Open to Ukrainian Veterans
Mode: Online
This approach was created by Alan Richardson in his weekly support groups with Ukrainian professional during the first wave of invasion into Northern Ukraine and then with the subsequent years of defending the nation.
This program is aimed at training Ukrainian veterans especially those in rehabilitation centres and establishing a new direction in life after injury, A Heroes Journey to refocus on Life purpose, Belonging and return to a New Civilian World.
Reclaiming is the buoyance of Self & Spirit
About the Training
This innovative approach provides the basis for early interventions to collective traumatic impacts and distress. Engage deeply in understanding the nuances of addressing complex and collective trauma, navigating the complexities of distress triggers, and guiding groups and clients towards profound transformation through emotional and somatic reclaiming of their identity and self-expression. You will participate in interactive sessions, witness small group practices to hone your therapeutic skills and develop a new understanding of preventative aspects of human distress dynamics. Maximise the significance of this therapeutic modality to address severe collective distress and foster enduring change in individuals’ and collective lives, vicarious therapy approach.
Returning Home – Veterans Journey
Psychology/Emotional Adjustment – Hyper-arousal & vigilance, moral injury, depression & anxiety – loss of motivation, sadness, worry, irritability & survivors guilt.- Physical & Health Issues – Combat injuries, Traumatic brain injury (TBI), sleep disturbance & substance.
- Family & Relationship Strain – Changed roles, responsibilities, communication difficulties, domestic tension & isolation.
- Social Reintegration – Loss of military brotherhood, civilian-military gap, identity confusion – from being a “soldier” with a clear role and purpose to being a “civilian” without clear direction.
- Work & Education – Translating military skills, workplace adjustment & financial stress.
- Societal/Cultural Factors – Public attitudes, Bureaucratic challenges & stigma around mental health.
- Growth and Resilience Potential – Many veterans also report post-traumatic growth, such as: Deeper appreciation for life and relationships, stronger sense of purpose, commitment to community service or advocacy & leadership in civilian or civic life.
Join us for a transformative experience in professional development and the innovation of proactive and collective healing. The issues for veterans are very well documented and predictable, hence in this era, longer term neglect and isolating individual veterans to manage own impacts from the collective experience is additional moral trauma on the existing experiences and impacts they have experienced.
“In this age of connectivity and operating with a post-Vietnam, or post Middle East conflict adds to the psychological burden and becomes a national travesty in that soldiers that served for their country. Become neglected and indifference to their service.”
- Early interventions triggers are explored without the conceding to high impact feeling and control.
- Strengthening Resilience. Building resilience so clients are better equipped to handle future challenges.
- Group Experience. Ukrainian people have mobilised to help each other and fight as a nation. Participation in small groups of the comrades and peers provides the context to both care for others and be acknowledged as a valuable individual amid destruction of so much of their world.
- Empowerment. Central to reclaiming therapy is the notion of empowerment. This involves helping clients recognize their own strengths and resources, enabling them to take proactive steps toward recovery and growth.
- Restoration of Autonomy. Trauma impacts undermines an individual’s sense of control. Reclaiming therapy emphasizes the importance of restoring autonomy by encouraging clients to make choices that align with their true selves and values.
- Rebuilding Self-Esteem. Many individuals have experienced significant damage to their self- esteem and confidence in surviving. The therapeutic process includes techniques and interventions aimed at rebuilding a positive self-image and fostering self-compassion.
- Integration of Identity Reclaiming therapy helps clients integrate fragmented parts of their identity that may have been affected by trauma or adverse experiences. This integration supports a more cohesive and authentic sense of self.
- Creating a Safe &Reassuring World learn to create a safe and supportive environment where the participants feel heard, they listen deeply to other people, understand their world and witness new capacities of others and feel validated in their own healing journey.