Online training: "Victim-oriented approach: psychological aspects of the work of lawyers"

Working with people is very difficult. People in helping professions, in particular, lawyers, are at constant risk of professional burnout.
 
It is very important to be able to take care of one's own psychological safety while taking into account the psychological and emotional state of the client(s), to maintain humanity, to look for systemic solutions to problems and to maintain an individual approach to each person who asks for help. These and other complex challenges are faced by the legal community. Within the Program «Helping those who help», a team of experts united by the NGO Human Rights Vector together with the participants of their trainings, are moving towards a solution.
 
On August 15-16, 2023, the third training for specialists in legal professions, «Victim-oriented approach: psychological aspects of the work of lawyers», took place.
 
Specialists who provide both legal and psychological assistance took part in the training. This helped to exchange practical experience of helping victims of war and better dive into the specifics of the work of each of the specialties.
 
Trainings of the «Helping those who help» program traditionally combine theoretical and practical parts.
 
On the first day of the event, a lecture by Lilia Oliynyk was held devoted to the following issues:
 
  • rights and needs of the victims: their correlation;
  • victim-centered approach: concepts, principles and practical aspects.
 
After the lecture, the participants split into groups, where they worked on cases proposed by the trainer. Each of the groups received a brief description of the case and the issues. The task was to analyze the case and propose an algorithm for communication and assistance using a victim-oriented approach. After working in groups, the participants presented their findings and discussed the results with the trainer and other participants.
 
On the second day of the event, Natalia Pidkalyuk presented her lecture, «Differential diagnosis of stress disorders», followed by a general discussion of the presented material. Participants practiced practical skills by analyzing real cases in groups with trainers Nataliya Pidkalyuk, Iryna Ratske-Rybak and Ruslana Rudenko. The groups worked out algorithms of communication and actions in the case of client(s) who have mental disorders or whose relatives have such disorders. The subsequent general discussion helped to share a wider range of personal experiences.
 
More about the trainers of the event:
 
Lilia Oliynyk, lawyer, mediator, lawyer at the hotline for psychological and legal assistance by Human Rights Vector NGO.
 
Lilia is a participant in JurFem's support initiatives to help victims of sexual violence and all types of gender discrimination. She has experience in dealing with conflicts in places of assistance to internally displaced persons. She is the author of several scientific publications and manuals on the observance of children's rights and the practice of the European Court of Human Rights (Ukraine).
 
Natalia Pidkalyuk, psychiatrist, Trauma Focus trainer (Institute of Neuropsychotherapy, Austria), head of IPSI NGO.
 
Natalya participates in educational projects on group psychoanalysis (APPU), clinical hypnosis (APPU), reconsolidation of traumatic memories (randrproject), and crisis leadership programs (Center for Humanitarian leadership).
 
Natalya has 20 years of professional experience, 12 of which she worked in a psychiatric hospital in various departments (acute conditions, neuroses, gerontology, she headed the department of coercive medical measures with enhanced supervision). In 2017, a center for medical and psychological rehabilitation of stress disorders was created as part of the polyclinic together with the local authorities. Since December 2021, she has been conducting private practice and is the head of an NGO: IPSI.
 
Since the beginning of the full-scale war, IPSI has provided psychosocial support services to people affected by the war, with individual consultations and group classes. In total, supporting more than 10,000 people. This work is done both on the grounds of the Center and in the Khmelnytskyi region. It also conducts trainings for people in aid professions on the prevention of professional burnout, and organizes educational events for psychologists.
 
Iryna Ratzke-Rybak, psychoanalyst, group analysis trainer, family therapist, supervisor.
 
Iryna is the Head of the Department of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy for Couples and Families, a supervisor and training analyst at the Association of Psychologists and Psychotherapists of Ukraine (APPU), a delegate of the European Federation of Psychoanalysts and Psychotherapists (EFPP), a full member of the Group Analytic Society International (GASI). She has more than 20 years of experience as a therapist and training analyst in individual and group therapy. An important aspect of her work is the training of specialists and supervision of other supervisors. She has international training in trauma work (Israel).
 
Iryna provides group psychological and psychosocial support to women and children who are forced migrants from Ukraine in Germany at EBW (Evangelical Academy).
 
Ruslana Rudenko, psychoanalysis-oriented psychologist working with children, adolescents, adults and families.
 
Ruslana has additional specialization in trauma work and Jungian Sand Play therapy. Supervisor, teaching analyst at Odesa Psychoanalytic Society (OPS). Teacher at the Odesa Psychoanalytic Institute of Postgraduate Education.
 
Ruslana holds lectures for parents and OPS students on attachment theory, child psychology, play psychotherapy and child psychoanalysis, as well as non-analytic methods of trauma therapy. She participates in the organization of seminars and conferences of the OPS.
 
Social activities: organization of social projects for overcoming trauma and preventing psychological burnout for volunteers, servicemen, IDPs and social workers; psychological support for military personnel and their family members.
 
The event was moderated by Valeria Rybak, director of Human Rights Vector NGO.
 
We thank the trainers and participants for their fruitful work and the warm feedback!
 
General program of activities of the project «Helping those who help»: hrvector.org/podiyi/23-07-19-programa 
 
For reference: The project «Helping those who help» is implemented by the NGO Human Rights Vector with financial support from the European Union, within the framework of the Stiykist Program. The Stiykist Program is a 30-month project funded by the European Union and implemented by ERIM in partnership with the Black Sea Trust, the Eastern Europe Foundation, the Human Rights Houses Foundation and the Human Rights House in Tbilisi. The project is aimed at strengthening the resilience and effectiveness of war-affected CSOs and civil society workers affected by the war in Ukraine, including independent media and human rights defenders.

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