FOR MY UKRAINIAN COLLEAGUES ON A PAINFUL ANNIVERSARY: SOME HEARTFELT IDEAS FOR MAINTAINING PRACTICE UNDER FIRE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/upj/2023-1-2Keywords:
war, psychoanalysis, psychology, Russian invasion, self-care, UkraineAbstract
This paper includes the text of Nancy McWilliams’ online speech to Ukrainian psychologists on February 24, 2023, exactly one year after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This presentation was jointly organized by the National Psychological Association of Ukraine and the "PsyCon" agency. In the introduction to her speech, Nancy McWilliams expressed her compassion regarding the war launched by Russia against Ukraine and emphasized the important but modest role of psychologists in overcoming its consequences, which involves the specialists’ recognition of their realistic possibilities and limitations. The main part of the speech unfolded in relation to three topics, which the author suggests that Ukrainian psychologists should pay attention to when working in wartime: 1) acceptance of vulnerability, 2) support of core values, 3) self-care. Acceptance of vulnerability is not only about allowing yourself to experience and express different feelings, but it also involves creating space for grief and mourning, as the opposite of depression. Therefore, support for grief is important. The author also cautions that the work of a psychologist in wartime can cause vicarious trauma, so being aware of psychologists’ conditions and helping clients to be supportive of themselves can help mitigate the effects of traumatic experiences. Regarding upholding values, Nancy McWilliams noted that in times of war, an emergency often requires us to break the normal framework, for example, by helping a client or a colleague. However, there are boundaries that must be upheld in times of war: confidentiality, integrity, and the refusal to exploit clients for personal gain. Among the methods of self-care for psychologists, the author listed seeking support, taking care of the body, combating devaluation, humor, and devotion to the values of the profession. The text was translated into Ukrainian by Elina Yevlanova.
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