Situation:

There are currently around 14,000 refugees from Ukraine in Vienna, mainly women and children. They receive basic support from the Republic of Austria, which covers their living expenses. There are also standard counselling services available, but there is a shortage of Ukrainian-speaking psychologists who offer support sessions free of charge.

Objectives:

The Ukrainian psychologist supports refugee families in a number of ways: through one-to-one sessions (mainly with women) and by providing psychological support for children. Many women suffer from feelings of guilt, anxiety and being overwhelmed. The psychologist provides them with strategies for emotional stabilisation. She works with traumatised children using play therapy, observation and counselling, recognises symptoms at an early stage and can arrange further support where necessary. Her work is characterised by a deep cultural understanding, as she is a refugee herself