July 13, 2025, marks a deeply symbolic milestone — the launch of the training program “Neuropsychological Desensitization in Addressing War Trauma” for military veterans at one of Ukraine’s largest rehabilitation centers. This is more than an educational initiative. It’s a doorway to new meaning, a source of hope, and a blueprint for rebuilding life after profound hardship.

Under the banner of the Silent Strength project, organized by the National Council of Psychologists of Ukraine, veterans who endured the brutality of war — loss, front-line trauma, and the long road to recovery — are now stepping into a new role: future healers. The goal is both bold and intentional — to equip these resilient individuals with the knowledge, tools, and emotional insight needed not only to manage their own trauma but to guide others through theirs.

Veterans carry an irreplaceable resource: the lived experience that fosters deep understanding. In Ukraine’s post-war society, this authenticity is essential. These individuals can become the psychologists who truly see their clients. Who truly understand. And this healing journey begins with learning — with readiness to change, openness to face personal pain, and the courage to help others.

Day One: A Humble Beginning Full of Depth and Determination 

The first training day was honest. Difficult. Deeply personal. But also undeniably necessary. Participants showed remarkable openness and resolve — embracing vulnerability, sharing pain, and committing to the demanding inner work ahead.

We are realistic: transformation will take time. But each moment in that room was a step toward a more resilient, cohesive, and compassionate community.

Special thanks to the international and Ukrainian trainers, the medical staff, our organizational partners — and especially to the veterans who dared to begin.

Day Two: Where Theory Meets Heartwork

This day, the learning has become intimate. Veterans transitioned from theory to practice, engaging with their own stories, emotions, and memories through foundational desensitization techniques:

• Bilateral stimulation
• Somatic exercises
• Guided imagery interventions

A key focus was self-stabilization — helping participants identify their personal “place of strength”, a psychological anchor they can carry into moments of crisis.

A heartfelt moment came during a session on homeopathic medicine, led by Dr. Jean-Marie Deschamps, who generously shared his experience using homeopathy for trauma support. This additional layer of care broadened the healing approach, offering tangible tools for self-regulation and hope.

Surrounded by murals of Ukrainian fields, the room transformed into a sanctuary — a space where pain could be met with trust, and where hope could bloom.

Silent Strength is much more than a training — it’s a healing movement. It’s about building a life beyond war. About turning scars into service. And every story shared, every technique practiced, every moment of connection brings us closer to that vision.

With deep gratitude to all involved — and especially to our veterans, who continue to show extraordinary courage and humanity.

Let this be only the beginning. Let it lead to real change.