As a doctor, I understand how important it is for specialists who have received theoretical training at university to have the support of experienced colleagues at the beginning of the practice of their professional activities.
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Young professionals have a lot of knowledge, energy, and motivation, but sometimes they are wanting for confidence due to a lack of practical experience. "Where will I find customers? How will I get started? And what happens if I do not succeed?" - We periodically hear concerns like these and more from our students. The program provides some practical training, but after, each student inevitably begins their own practice seeing actual clients. That is, the student, enrolling in the program, must prepare for the fact that in the second academic year he or she will practice counseling.

In order to graduate from the program, "Psychological counseling and trauma therapy" every student must complete a certain number of hours of direct contact with clients. One of the key advantages of the program is that no one remains alone in this task. In the second year of training, every student will be paired with a qualified supervisor and attend online meetings with this individual every week for 8 months. Our supervisors are experienced specialists who have successfully completed the program "Psychological Counseling and Trauma Therapy", as well as a supervision certificate program, and has led his or her own supervised counseling practice.

Additionally, part of the second year coursework includes a class on psychopathology, taught by an American team supervisor, with whom students can also discuss their work with clients and receive recommendations.

For participants of the program who live in Kyiv, we offer the chance to complete this internship practice at the Center for Psychological Counseling and Trauma Therapy "Open Doors". It is an opportunity to work with clients who apply to the Center, as well as receive supervision on the spot. In addition, the Open Doors Center builds partnerships with other organizations to provide clients for our interns.

We are waiting for you to study through the program and participate in the internship

Sincerely,
Medical Doctor Director of the Center for Psychological Counseling and Traumatherapy OPEN DOORS Internship Program Director

Oksana Syvak

Dr. Oksana Syvak graduated from O.O. Bogomolets National Medical University in Kyiv.

She worked as an obstetrician-gynecologist for 18 years.

She was the Head of Clinical Research (Clinical Operation Lead) at Paraxel International.

During the Revolution of Dignity, she organized four underground medical hospitals for protesters, treating more than 500 patients.

Dr. Syvak also took an active part in the public sector, first as an advisor to the Minister of Health, and then in the position of Deputy Minister of Health for European integration, which she held during 2016-2017.

She is the ideologue of the launch of the physical rehabilitation system in Ukraine and the co-author of the Law of Ukraine “On rehabilitation in the field of health care”.

Dr. Syvak is the co-founder and director of the International Institute of Postgraduate Education (Kyiv) and the Executive Director of the Center for Psychological Counseling and Trauma Therapy “Open Doors”.