Participation of psychology students in the thematic support group «Emotional and Intimate Intimacy During War» from psychologists of the Foundation «World for Ukrainians»
During July-August 2024, applicants and employees of the Department of Psychology participated in a project from psychologists of the Foundation «World for Ukrainians» (worldtoukrainians) — attended classes of the thematic support group «Emotional and Intimate Intimacy During War». The meetings were organized and conducted by the Foundation’s psychologists — Artem Holovachev and Yevheniya Zudova (Holovacheva). The classes were held online once a week for two months.
Various topics were discussed at the meetings, including:
- Personal boundaries and dependent relationships (participants had the opportunity to understand their needs more deeply; the importance of building healthy boundaries and were introduced to the types of dependent relationships, which are the basis for building relationships with themselves and others).
- Working with the Karpman triangle (discussing the roles of «Victim», «Rescuer» and «Persecutor» – this helped participants understand the dynamics of their relationships and find ways out of negative scenarios).
- Intimate intimacy (talking about sexual relationships, fantasies, the impact of war on libido and stress, which allowed participants to share their experiences and find support).
- Family crises – periodization, signs and ways to overcome them (participants analyzed their partner experience, their own victories and failures with interest).
The last meetings were devoted to watching the film and its further psychological analysis; the game «Kingdom» and summing up the group’s results.
All meetings were free for those present thanks to the partnership between the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University (Department of Psychology) and the NGO «CBF »World for Ukrainians”.
The participants gained valuable experience and shared their feedback:
«Our group «Emotional and Intimate Closeness in Couples During Wartime» has become an important space for discussing complex aspects of partnership relationships in this difficult time»
«A big thank you to the professional presenters — psychologists Yevgenia and Artem Holovachev for the inspiration with which they formed an extremely comfortable space for the group. I am also grateful to the Department of Psychology for their activity and openness to cooperation. When professionals come together, such high-quality products are obtained!»
The group has become an important step towards restoring emotional and intimate closeness in the conditions of a full-scale war. It contributed not only to the personal growth of the participants, but also to the formation of healthy partnership relationships, which is critically important in our time.
We are grateful to the psychologists of the «World for Ukrainians» Foundation Artem Holovachev and Yevheniya Zudova (Holovacheva) for this opportunity for our applicants! We look forward to further cooperation! We look forward to new interesting meetings and activities!
