As part of the project "Work of Psychologists in Zakarpattia Oblast", the team of the NGO "Vigorous Moment" aims to create a sustainable psychological team in the region. Since the science of psychology is constantly evolving, new methods and approaches should always remain in the focus of specialists’ attention.

One of these innovative areas was the CETA program training for 12 psychologists in the region who directly provide free counseling to the public as part of the project. By the way, this is the first experience of team training in this method in Transcarpathia. Today, CETA is effectively used to work with the effects of trauma, depression, substance abuse, and anxiety by professionals around the world: USA, Iraq, Myanmar, Thailand, Zambia, and Ethiopia. For Ukraine, the program was adapted to meet the needs of Ukrainian veterans, displaced persons and volunteers. All the program’s methods have been thoroughly researched and repeatedly tested.

"CETA is a short-term approach based on the most evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Previously, in order to become a psychotherapist in CBT, one had to undergo a long training, we are talking about years. For example, to master trauma work, a counselor needs to spend 2 years of his or her life. Learning to work with depression takes another year, and so on. This is all time and money, so the cost of counseling for clients turns out to be "golden" because the psychologist invests a lot in him/herself.

When developing the CETA method, the most evidence-based parts were taken from CBT and combined into one therapy. In 9 months, we train counselors to work with all the most common mental health issues: trauma, depression, substance abuse, anxiety and interpersonal and suicidal safety issues, and the desire to harm others. Due to its short-term approach, CETA allows to work through a client’s request in 6-14 sessions. This method has already demonstrated its effectiveness in Ukraine for the military, for veterans, IDPs and those affected by the war", commented Oksana Varvarych, a trainer and supervisor at CETA Ukraine.

The training consists of a 10-day intensive face-to-face training, which the psychologists have already successfully completed, followed by 9 months of weekly supervision by trainer Oksana. During this time, specialists will have the opportunity to master the protocol and gain practical skills in working with clients, which protects them from professional mistakes.

"I would like all psychologists to have such training, so that the quality of services would increase significantly. Each person is unique, but the algorithm of how a disorder affects a person’s life is similar for everyone, and CETA is a quick mechanism for neutralizing the "harmful effects" of trauma, depression, and anxiety. In the work of a psychologist, it is very important to have strong foundations, and CETA is now creating a foundation for me, a stable support for my work", shared her impressions participant Nataliya Shevchenko, a psychologist from Kharkiv who was forced to move to Uzhhorod due to the full-scale war.

What is the significance of this training for the region and Ukraine as a whole? 

According to Oksana Varvarych, the war has increased the number of people in need of psychological help in the country.

"But due to circumstances, such as lack of electricity, occupation, being in a dangerous environment, etc., not everyone has the opportunity to regularly receive quality psychotherapy or psychological services now. There is a huge number of military personnel in the country who will return and who will also need support. Therefore, we will all have a lot of work, so we need to prepare a powerful and professional team. I can’t influence the war to end tomorrow, but with what I know how to do, I can definitely support family members of the Armed Forces, veterans who are returning home, I can support those people who saw the bombing and suffered. This is what I can do as a psychologist, as a Ukrainian, as a human being", Oksana adds.

"Vigorous Moment" is creating a powerful, sustainable psychological team in the region, and these are not empty words.

"This group passed the test with the highest score on the second day of the training. Neither I nor my colleagues could remember when the entire team received the highest score. This indicates a high level of interest and assimilation of information", the trainer commented.

All 12 psychologists, including the medical coordinator of CAMZ Tetiana Hoydash, received a certificate of participation after the training, and those who successfully complete the certification, 9 months of supervision and 5 certification cases will receive certificates from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, as the CETA approach was taught in cooperation with the Center for Mental Health of this university.

Now, the specialists can continue their training and use their knowledge effectively in practice and under supervision to work with the effects of trauma, depression, substance abuse, and anxiety. Moreover, 4 of the 12 specialists will undergo additional training to continue to serve as supervisors.