TF-CBT Ukraine

Ukraine; war of aggression; refugees; trauma; grief, TF-CBT; trauma therapy; further education therapists

University Ulm, Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/ Psychotherapy

• Developers of TF-CBT from the USA: Tony Mannarino, Esther Deblinger, and Judy Cohen.

• International TF-CBT trainers: Michael Larsson, Tine Jensen, Zlatina Kostova, Renee Beer, Anette Birgersson, Natalie Cabrera, Gavin Moffitt, Veronica Kirsch, Hanna Weyler Müller, Anna Vikgren, Marja Onsjö, Tale Ostensjo

• MH4U Project

• Ministry of Health Ukraine

• Psychological Society Ukraine

Due to the war of aggression in Ukraine, many people, including many children and adolescents, experienced and continue to experience traumatic events. Traumatic experiences can lead to stress symptoms and psychosocial dysfunction in affected children and adolescents. Therefore, the aim of this project is to provide interested health professionals in Ukraine and neighboring countries with advanced training in evidence-based services in the treatment of traumatized children and adolescents. Also, a common exchange and consultation between professionals and volunteers will be offered in the framework of Q&A sessions.

One of the goals of "TF-CBT Ukraine" is to train Ukrainian therapists in the evidence-based trauma therapy "Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy" (TF-CBT), to accompany them in the implementation of the therapy and thus to improve the mental health of Ukrainian children, adolescents and their families. Through "TF-CBT Ukraine", in the long term, there will be more Ukrainian therapists who can help traumatized children and adolescents in Ukraine and neighboring countries with evidence-based trauma therapy. In this way, "TF-CBT Ukraine" will make a sustainable contribution to improving the mental health of children and adolescents in crisis-ridden regions of the world. Likewise, Q&A sessions and webinars will provide an exchange and consultation between professionals and volunteers in Ukraine and neighboring countries.

Ukrainian therapists will have the opportunity to undergo a certified TF-CBT training program within the project. They receive access to necessary self-learning materials (web-training, sponsored by the developers of TF-CBT, or the Ukrainian/Russian TF-CBT manual), participate in a three-day digital training and receive monthly supervision by experienced TF-CBT trainers from around the world for one year. Within this year they treat at least 5 patients under supervision. In addition, therapy materials in Ukrainian and Russian are provided, which can be used for the therapy of the children and adolescents. Almost every month a new training group with up to 30 Ukrainian therapists starts. In addition, the therapists have access to supplementary workshops on related topics such as grief in children and adolescents or trauma diagnostics.

The program is scientifically evaluated at several points. On the one hand, therapists themselves answer questions about themselves and their previous knowledge in an online survey. On the other hand, data on the patients' symptoms are collected to evaluate the effectiveness of TF-CBT. In terms of quality management, all therapists will be asked to complete a feedback survey at the end of their 3-day online training. Q&A sessions will also be held on the topics of consequences of traumatization, PTSD, grief or assessment of stress.

University Ulm, Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/ Psychotherapy

E-Mail: ukraine.kjp[at]uniklinik-ulm.de

Telefon: +49 731 500 61680