Students of the Clinical Psychology Programme Attend an Open Lecture by a Leading Veteran Support Psychologist

As part of the course “Fundamentals of Law and Professional Ethics”, an open lecture was held on 18 September 2026 for students of Groups 101–103 enrolled in the Clinical Psychology educational and professional programme at the Bachelor’s level in the field of Social Sciences, Journalism and Information, specialty Psychology.

The event was jointly organised by Kateryna Melnykova, Associate Professor of the Department of Higher School Pedagogy and Social Sciences, and Olha Burchak, counselling psychologist. Faculty members of the Department of Higher School Pedagogy and Social Sciences of TNMU also took part in the lecture.

The psychologist shared her professional experience of working at the Veteran Space, the Ternopil Regional Veteran Support Centre for war veterans and Territorial Defence members. The meeting focused on the ways veterans may experience anxiety, fear, anger, tension and other emotional reactions, as well as on how a specialist can be present, provide support and help create a sense of safety in professional interaction.

Olha Burchak placed particular emphasis on practical supportive communication skills that help establish trusting relationships and provide psychological assistance while respecting the veteran’s individual experience. The students actively interacted with the psychologist, asking numerous practical questions and receiving detailed recommendations on communicating with veterans, military personnel and their family members