Kherson State University

From September 23 to 27, a study visit took place as part of the ERASMUS+ BURN project – “Boosting University Psychological Resilience and Wellbeing in (Post-) War Ukrainian Nation.” The visit was hosted by the University of Latvia in Riga.

Kherson State University was represented by Ruslana Bilous, Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology, and Valentyna Kalenchuk, Lecturer at the Department of Psychology.

The project aims to share best practices in psychological support for university communities affected by war.

During the visit, mental health specialists, faculty members, and representatives of Ukrainian universities had the opportunity to explore Latvian approaches to psychologist training, mental health promotion in schools, and intervention strategies for psychological trauma.

The visit began with an in-depth session on psychologist training in Latvia, led by Laura Pirsko, Director of the Master’s Program in Psychology. She provided insights into Latvia’s structured pathway for psychologists - from undergraduate studies to professional qualification. Afterward, participants took a guided tour of the historic University of Latvia building, gaining a deeper appreciation of its rich academic heritage. In the afternoon, they visited the Skalbes Crisis Center, where they learned about crisis hotline services and psychological support systems.

On the second day, Professor Baiba Martinsone shared her extensive expertise through two presentations:“Psychological Training Methods and Approaches for Teacher Preparation and Professional Development: Promoting Mental Health in Schools” and “Doctoral Student Training”. Following a tour of the House of Nature and the House of Science, participants visited the “Child’s House” at the Children's Clinical University Hospital, where they explored psychological assistance for children affected by abuse and learned about psychological evaluation procedures.

On the third day, KSU representatives attended the Bachelor’s-level course “Basic Counseling Skills” at the Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology. The course was taught by experienced psychologists Anda Gaitniece-Putane and Alla Plaude, who introduced participants to key teaching methods and techniques for training future psychologists.

Additionally, they had a productive meeting with Anda Apmane, Director of the Bachelor’s Program in Psychology, who provided a detailed overview of the program’s curriculum, teaching methodologies, key course assignments, and assessment strategies. Special attention was given to the following courses:“Communication Skills Training” and “Basic Counseling Skills”. Later, the delegation visited the University of Latvia Library.

The fourth day featured a seminar, “Team Building for Course Development”, led by Laura Pirsko, Anda Apmane, and Ieva Stokenberga. During the session, faculty members outlined the next steps for developing academic courses within the ERASMUS+ BURN project.

In the afternoon, they visited Dardedze - a center specializing in child safety, violence prevention, and psychological support for affected children. They also learned about the “Jimba” safety program.

On the fifth day of the training visit, specialists participated in a seminar on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) methods for trauma work. The seminar was led by clinical supervisor, Professor Ieva Bait, who shared practical approaches to treating traumatic experiences. The visit concluded with a reflective session, where participants summarized key insights gained and discussed prospects for further collaboration. The exchange of experiences and knowledge acquired during the visit aims to enhance psychological resilience and support well-being initiatives in Ukraine, aligning with the mission of the BURN project.

Ruslana Bilous, project lecturer and Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology, and Valentyna Kalenchuk, project lecturer and Lecturer at the Department of Psychology of Kherson State University, received participant certificates for the training meeting.

This represents an important professional exchange and a significant contribution to the restoration and strengthening of mental health in Ukrainian society.

Information provided by the Faculty of Psychology, History, and Sociology of Kherson State University.