Department of Medical Psychology, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Responsible Employee: Assistant of the Department, PhD, Lesia Sak.
Contact Number: +38 (093) 60-57-209

The Department of Medical Psychology, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy of the Educational and Research Institute of Mental Health actively cooperates with the World’s leading institutions in the field of psychosomatic medicine, psychotherapy and psychiatry. Such international collaboration allows us to integrate the best international practices into the educational process and research. Thanks to cooperation with international partners, the department’s faculty, students and postgraduate students have the opportunity to participate in joint research projects, exchange experience, undertake internships and improve their skills abroad. This interaction contributes to the development of modern approaches in the field of mental health and ensures high quality training of specialists.

Cooperation of the Department with the Charité Clinic within the framework of the Solomiya humanitarian project

The Department is actively involved in the Solomiya humanitarian project in cooperation with the leading European institution, the Charité Clinic, Germany. This project aims to provide medical and psychological assistance to patients, including those affected by military operations. One of the main aspects of the cooperation is to provide rapid medical and psychological support, including the exchange of professional experience and technologies between Ukrainian and German specialists. The project provides for the introduction of advanced medical and psychotherapeutic techniques tested at the Charite clinic.

Joint research in the field of psychosomatic medicine and psychotherapy allows us to develop new treatment and rehabilitation protocols and adapt them to the specific conditions of Ukraine. The project is an important component in strengthening ties between Ukrainian and German medical professionals, which facilitates the exchange of knowledge and experience at the international level. Such a comprehensive approach to international cooperation opens up new prospects for improving medical services and developing science in Ukraine, which, in turn, makes a significant contribution to world medicine.

In the framework of the project, in cooperation with the German clinics LMU and Charité, as well as the Department of Medical Psychology, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, a modular group psychotherapy was developed and adapted for Ukrainians who are experiencing psychological stress in the war.

Internships and training programs

As part of the internship program, the department actively sends its specialists abroad to improve their professional skills.

The  assistant professor  Lesia Sak and Oleksandra Nikolaieva, successfully completed an internship at the ARQ National Center for Psychotrauma in the Netherlands, one of the world’s leading institutions in the field of research and treatment of psychological trauma. The training was aimed at mastering the latest methods and approaches to the treatment of psychological trauma, as well as acquiring practical skills that can be effectively integrated into Ukrainian practice. The program included the study of international standards for the treatment of mental disorders, which will help to unify therapeutic approaches in Ukraine with the world’s leading practices. Participants gained in-depth knowledge of modern therapeutic methods, including cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), and other innovative approaches.

The assistants of the department, Andrii Burdeinyi and Valeriia Sodolievska, have successfully completed training provided by the SIPMU Italian Scientific Society of Clinical Hypnosis in Psychotherapy and Humanistic Medicine. The training focused on expanding the toolkit for addressing psychosomatic and post-traumatic conditions, which have become increasingly common due to the war and its consequences. The program equipped them with skills to effectively reduce anxiety, regulate stress, alleviate chronic pain, and address other psychosomatic symptoms, enabling patients to tap into their internal resources for recovery. This is particularly relevant for the treatment of military personnel, civilians affected by combat, and patients with PTSD. This type of psychotherapeutic assistance can be integrated into rehabilitation processes, especially for those facing amputations, injuries, or loss of function. The approach allows for faster stabilization of patients’ mental states, supports emotional recovery, and reduces the need for pharmacological interventions, emphasizing a humanistic approach to treatment.

PhD student  Anna Kohut completed an internship at the Medical University of Warsaw as part of the Erasmus+ program. During the internship, she worked under the guidance of leading experts in the following departments: the Department of Health Psychology, the Psychiatric Clinic of the Faculty of Health Sciences in Pruszkow and the clinical base of the Department of Psychiatry. Anna Olesivna adequately presented the activities of her department, participated in the Warsaw International Medical Congress and actively supported the Ukrainian-Polish project on the study of “combat stress”. She also completed academic and clinical internships and was part of an international delegation to a center for Ukrainian refugees, where she presented the innovative PARO rehabilitation device. In addition, she provided consultative assistance and adapted diagnostic materials into Ukrainian. Anna’s achievements during the internship were in line with European standards for doctoral training and were integrated into her dissertation. The knowledge and experience gained were presented as a source of motivation and training for young scientists at NMU, with the results published on the university’s official website. https://nmuofficial.com/nauka/tovarystvo-molodyh-vchenyh-i-spetsialistiv/provedeni-podiyi/

Working on international experience

The Director of the Educational and Research Institute of Mental Health, Professor Oleg Chaban, is actively expanding cooperation with international partners, making a significant contribution to the development of mental health in Ukraine.

As a member of the working group of experts of the National Mental Health Program of Ukraine, together with the Head of the Coordination Center for Mental Health under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, he visited the University of California, San Diego, USA, the International Consortium of Universities for the Reduction of Drug Demand (ICUDDR), the international organization Plan Colombo, and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the US Department of State.

As a member of the working group of the Mental Health Coordination Center under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, which included representatives of the Ministries of Education, Health, and Veterans Affairs at the level of deputy ministers, as well as the heads of WHO and the Red Cross in Ukraine and Canada, the professor visited the Universities of Alberta and Toronto, as well as the Royal Ottawa OSI Clinic. This visit was aimed at studying the experience of Canadian public and private institutions in the field of mental health, as well as at familiarizing himself with training and rehabilitation programs for specialists in this sphere.

Together with the working group of the Mental Health Coordination Center under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Oleg Chaban also visited Queen Mary, University of East London to study the experience of UK government agencies in the field of mental health. This included familiarizing himself with the educational and rehabilitation programs for mental health professionals, with a view to further implementing best practices in the field of mental health at both the national and regional levels in Ukraine. For the Bogomolets National Medical University, it is of particular importance to create a simulation center for modeling major mental disorders (case database), as well as to conclude agreements on the possibility of internships for university students at Queen Mary University of East London.

Lectures from World experts in the field of mental health

As part of international cooperation, the department invites world experts in the field of mental health. One of the invited specialists was Marinus H. van Eisendorn, Honorary Professor of the Department of Psychology and Language Sciences, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University of London (UK) and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry, Monash University (Melbourne, Australia), who gave lectures for PhDs, postgraduates and students of the Bogomolets National Medical University. Prof. van Eisendorn shared his profound knowledge in the field of human development, focusing on the social, psychological and neurobiological aspects of parenting and child development.

The Department holds annual congresses with international participation “Psychosomatic Medicine of the XXI Century: Realities and Prospects”, which have become an important platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience among scientists, doctors and researchers from around the world. This event is dedicated to topical issues of psychosomatic medicine and covers a wide range of topics, including new methods of diagnosis and treatment, integration of psychosomatic approaches into clinical practice, and the impact of mental factors on physical health.

The congresses bring together leading experts from different countries, allowing participants to share best practices, discuss the latest research, and establish professional relationships. These events help to expand international cooperation, open new prospects for the development of joint research projects and increase the level of knowledge of participants. By participating in congresses, representatives of medical and scientific institutions get a unique opportunity to learn about innovative approaches that they can integrate into their daily practice. The Department strives not only to develop the theoretical foundations of psychosomatic medicine, but also to improve the quality of medical services provided to patients. The annual congresses are also important events for promoting Ukrainian science on the international arena, demonstrating the potential of our specialists and their contribution to the development of medicine on a global scale.

Scientific activity

The department is actively engaged in the preparation of joint research papers and publications with foreign colleagues. This cooperation allows us to integrate research results into the international context, increasing the recognition and visibility of Ukrainian science at the global level. Joint publications with foreign scientists not only facilitate the exchange of experience and knowledge, but also support the development of new academic ties and initiatives. Leading world experts in the fields of psychosomatic medicine and mental health are involved in writing such papers, which ensures high quality and relevance of scientific research.

Participation of international experts in the editorial board of the department’s journal: “Psychosomatic Medicine and General Practice” ensures high quality and compliance of publications with modern scientific standards. This contributes not only to the prestige of the publication, but also expands its readership, including scientists and practitioners from different countries.

Thanks to the efforts of the Department’s specialists, the Ukrainian Association of Psychosomatic Medicine became a part of the European Association of Psychosomatic Medicine (EAPM), where Professor Chaban Oleg Sozontovych is an official representative, which emphasizes his leadership role in the development of international relations in the field of psychosomatic medicine.

Its active work promotes the integration of Ukrainian scientists into the international scientific community and strengthens Ukraine’s position in the European scientific arena. This important achievement opens up new opportunities for cooperation, exchange of experience and participation in European research projects.

Presentations at conferences

The Department’s specialists regularly speak at international conferences, which demonstrates their high level of expertise and recognition in the global scientific community. By presenting the results of their research and discussing current trends in psychosomatic medicine and mental health, they promote Ukrainian science on the global stage. This participation facilitates the establishment of professional contacts, partnerships in joint research projects, and ensures continuous professional development of the department’s faculty and researchers.

The Head of the Department, Professor Olena Haustova, actively participates in international events focused on developing cooperation and improving practices in the field of mental health. Her continuous participation in such forums and conferences emphasizes her leadership role in the process of integrating global innovations into Ukrainian mental health practice.

At these events, Prof. Haustova not only shares her own research and experience, but also deepens her knowledge by adopting advanced approaches and methodologies developed by international colleagues. She actively interacts with leading specialists from different countries, establishing new professional contacts and facilitating the exchange of ideas, which ultimately has a positive impact on the updating and improvement of the department’s educational and research programs.

Thanks to her efforts, the department implements innovative solutions in the field of mental health that meet the highest international standards, providing training for professionals who are able to work effectively in a global context.

International events with participation (2023-2024)

Head of the Department, Olena Khaustova

1. The First International Scientific and Methodological Forum “Psychological Trauma of War”, Warsaw, Poland.
2. Annual Ukrainian Psychiatric Association International Conference “The Price of Peace in Our Time”, Warsaw, Poland.
3. 31st European Congress of Psychiatry (EPA), Paris, France.
4. 32nd European Congress of Psychiatry (EPA), Budapest, Hungary.
5. European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) Congress, Milan, Italy.

All these events contribute to the implementation of modern practices in the field of mental health at the national level and strengthen international relations that improve the quality of education and training in Ukraine.

Assistant of the Department Sak Lesia  

1. Participation in NCTTP’s 15th Annual Research Symposium, Washington, USA.
2. Participation in the 11th Annual Scientific Conference of the European Association of Psychosomatic Medicine, Lausanne, Switzerland.
3. Participation in the International Attachment Conference (IAC), Rouen, France.
4. Participation in the 32nd European Congress of Psychiatry, Budapest, Hungary.
5. Participation in the 37th ECNP Congress, Milan, Italy.

Assistant of the Department Tetiana But

1. Training at Akershus University Hospital, Norway.
2. International Committee of the Red Cross training: “Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Ambiguous Loss.”
3. Czech Institute of Psychotraumatology and EMDR training: ASSYST Humanitarian Psychosocial Project.
4. Participation in the Complex Trauma Therapists’ Network / Complex Trauma Institute, United Kingdom.

Assistant of the department Nikolaieva Oleksandra.

1. Participation in the 32nd European Forum of Psychiatrist Trainees Riga, Latvia.

Postgraduate student of the department Leshchuk Iryna

Participation in the 11th Annual Scientific Conference of the European Association of Psychosomatic Medicine (EAPM 2024) Lausanne, Switzerland.

Associate Professor of the Department Azize Eldarivna Asanova together with Professor Elena Aleksandrovna Haustova took part in the 10th Annual Scientific Conference of the European Association of Psychosomatic Medicine (EAPM) in Wroclaw, Poland, where she participated in the Panel Discussion: Proactive Consultation – Dialogue between Psychiatrists and General Practitioners.

Assistant of the Department Andrii Burdeinyi, together with Professor Chaban Oleh Sozontovych, took part in the conference “Artificial Intelligence in Medicine” organized by the Ministry of Digital Transformation in cooperation with the Bogomolets National Medical University, the National University of Singapore and other partners. The event was supported by the Digital Transformation Support Project, funded by USAID and UK Dev, and partnered by the Eastern Europe Foundation. The conference presented the results of research on VR exposure therapy for military and veterans, as well as a new VR therapy project for civilians in the context of the war in Ukraine.