The Seventh Symposium takes place on the third anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine...

Our Seventh Symposium will take place at the time of the third anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine. This is a sombre moment – three years of war, so much loss of life, so many wounded and emotionally scarred, and at the moment there is no end of the war in sight. The world context within which the war is taking place has changed significantly with the inauguration ceremony of the new President of the United States. This adds new and anxiety provoking elements of uncertainty, which intensify the nature and impact of the war. We asked those who have been attending our Symposiums regularly, and finding them so valuable, what would be a helpful focus for the Seventh Symposium. They said please talk about the mental exhaustion of war, the scale of loss and grief, and how to continue when we are exhausted, and give us some hope and something positive to take us forward and give us courage. We considered this carefully and reflectively, and the realisation came to us that it has been during times of war and uncertainty that Psychotherapy has made some significant advances. It was during the Vietnam war that Francine Shapiro developed the theory which underpins EMDR, and this was used extensively and effectively for Vietnam veterans; during the global Covid pandemic we developed the understanding of how to conduct Psychotherapy effectively online, and the whole profession shifted to working online to help those in need during the lockdown period; and now during the Ukraine war Psychotherapy has flourished, with many people coming forward to train as Psychotherapists and new techniques emerging. So indeed, there is hope, and our seventh Symposium will cover both the cost and negative impact of times of war; and also, the new shoots of hope and growth that spring up through the time of adversity. Our Sixth Symposium included a Sociodrama which was powerful, healing and successful. So, in our Seventh Symposium we will hold a large therapy group for the participants, conducted by two senior Psychotherapists, to explore the impacts of war. The presentations in the Seventh Symposium reflect both the mental exhaustion, loss and grief of war in the sessions before lunch. After lunch the speakers will talk about the way in which Psychotherapy brings hope, especially in times of war and uncertainty. We cordially invite European Psychotherapists to join with Ukrainian Psychotherapists in this Seventh Symposium, as it is vital for our Ukrainian colleagues that they have the opportunity to be connected with, and in relationship with, colleagues from other European countries as they face their challenging lives in the present, and prepare for their future. The benefit is felt by both Ukrainian and European Psychotherapists!

We welcome you!

Contact

Email: info@uasymposium.online

Phone: 00 370 686 96520

Website: https://www.uasymposium.online/