WHEN PEOPLE ARE forced to leave their homes because of conflict, the challenges we face go far beyond finding a safe place to live. Many of us carry the emotional impact of trauma, uncertainty and loss long after we arrive in a new country.

I’m originally from Kyiv. When the war started, everything changed overnight. I suddenly faced the same difficult decisions as millions of other Ukrainians. I did not know what to do.

After making the very difficult decision to leave home, I arrived in Ireland with my daughter, hoping our stay would be temporary.

At first, I thought and hoped we would spend three or four months here until the situation improved. But as the war continued, it became clear that we would be here much longer.

Medyka, Poland - March 24, 2022: Refugees camped at Ukrainian-Polish border crossing in Medyka. People fleeing the war in Ukraine in the early days. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Looking back on my experience so far, coming to Ireland feels like a journey towards the stability I lost at home.

I began connecting with other Ukrainian therapists in Ireland and exploring how I could continue working in my profession. I started researching how to have my qualifications recognised.

The trauma-informed psychotherapy service provided through the Irish Red Cross became an important turning point. Personally, this project became a point of stability and hope. It gave me the chance to start something new and meaningful — the opportunity to help others while also rebuilding my own future. Being part of a supportive and committed........

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