PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR VETERANS: RESOURCES OF POSITIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY
Abstract
The full-scale war in Ukraine has led to an unprecedented increase in the number of people in need of psychological assistance, primarily veterans of combat operations, who often return to civilian life with deep psychological trauma, impaired emotional regulation, loss of meaning in life, feelings of guilt, and problems in family relationships. The article explores the pressing issue of psychological support for war veterans in the context of modern armed conflicts and during the post-demobilization period. Special attention is given to positive psychotherapy as a humanistically oriented approach that emphasizes the identification and development of internal personal resources, value orientations, interpersonal relationships, and the capacity for adaptation and crisis resilience. The paper presents original examples of psychotherapeutic techniques tailored to the specific needs of military personnel and their family members, enhancing the effectiveness of psychological support. The importance of cultural sensitivity, the preservation of dignity, and the fostering of self-confidence in the process of personal recovery is highlighted. Key aspects of overcoming post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are considered through the application of resource-oriented humanistic methods that facilitate resocialization and psychological stabilization.
In addition, the article outlines a structured therapeutic program that combines individual and group interventions, psychoeducation, and emotional self-regulation practices. Particular emphasis is placed on restoring veterans’ sense of purpose and belonging, as well as rebuilding trust in social relationships. The approach encourages a shift from a deficit-based view of trauma toward a growth-oriented perspective, where the experience of war becomes integrated into the broader narrative of personal development. Such a model not only addresses the consequences of trauma but also opens space for long-term psychological well-being and empowerment.
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