On 7–8 November 2026, the 18th psychological support seminar for Ukrainian refugees took place in Germany at the Anti-War House of the Sievershausen Peace Centre and Memorial.

The event was organised as part of the project “Psychological Support for Victims of the War in Ukraine”, initiated by Russian political émigrés Alexander and Galina Goncharenko.

The main aim of the seminars is to provide psychological support to Ukrainian women affected by the war, help them cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and support their adaptation to life in new circumstances.

The seminar was led by psychologist Natalia Stepanenko.

For the second consecutive year, thanks to the warm hospitality of the Anti-War House team, the project organisers have been able to hold the seminars in a residential format, with participants staying overnight. This approach creates an atmosphere of trust, encourages closer interaction within the group and allows participants to engage more deeply in the therapeutic process.

At the conclusion of the seminar, participants expressed their sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to its organisation and successful delivery, particularly Martina Baeurle, Managing Director of the Hamburg Foundation for Politically Persecuted Persons, and the entire Anti-War House team for their support, commitment and warm welcome.

Since the launch of the project, 226 Ukrainian women have received free psychological support, with 69 of them having received assistance more than once.

Photo report:

1. Group photo of the seminar participants.

2. Psychologist Natalia Stepanenko at work (first from the left).

3. A seminar session in progress.

4. Practising a new therapeutic technique.

5. Group psychological exercise.

6. Another therapeutic technique in practice.

7. Working in pairs.

8. Sharing a meal.

9. An outdoor training session.

10. Cook Marie-Anne Schwenk and her culinary creations.

11. A group photo in front of the welcoming Anti-War House.

On September 19–20, 2026, another psychological seminar and training session for Ukrainian women in Germany was held in Hamburg as part of the “Psychological Support for Victims of the War in Ukraine” project.

For the fourth consecutive year, the project has been organized by Russian political emigrants Alexander and Galina Goncharenko, and the seminar was conducted by Ukrainian psychologist Alla Danylych-Skakun.

The event took place in a picturesque part of Hamburg, at the premises of the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB), with the support of the organization’s head, Günter Arndt, and Martina Baeurle, Managing Director of the Hamburg Foundation for Politically Persecuted Persons.

The seminar had several distinctive features.

First, the criterion for participation was that the women had previously completed the basic psychological seminar and training course within the framework of the project.

Second, the seminar was conducted in a combined in-person and online format. A WhatsApp group was created in advance, where the psychologist shared the materials necessary to prepare for the seminar.

Third, the participants improvised, shared their successes in integrating into life in Germany, read their own poetry, and took part in many other activities.

Throughout the seminar, a unique atmosphere of trust, mutual understanding, and support was created. This was fostered by the warmth and compassion of both the project team and the ASB staff, as well as by wonderful Ukrainian cuisine.

Summing up the results of the seminar and training, project coordinator Alexander Goncharenko said: “Over the course of seventeen seminars and training sessions, 211 Ukrainian women have already received free psychological support, 58 of them more than once. Some participants have taken part in three or more of our events.”

At the end of the seminar, the participants thanked the organizers, sponsors, and one another with warm applause.

The participants also expressed a wish to establish a kind of club within the project, where women could meet periodically both with the project team and with one another, share their joys and concerns, support each other, and regain their strength and vitality. As one participant aptly put it: “The project has already become a place where, like butterflies seeking warmth for their souls, we would like to gather more often.”

Registration for the seminars

 +49 174 2747088 (Alexander Goncharenko)
Telegram: @agonchar61
E-mail:[email protected]

In the Facebook group “Project ‘Psychological Support for Victims of the War in Ukraine’ in Germany”, you can take a self-assessment test to evaluate your psychological well-being and follow the latest project news:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/957102886872450/announcements

Photo Gallery

Photo 1. Group photo of the seminar participants.
Photo 2. Alexander Goncharenko, project coordinator.
Photo 3. Psychologist Alla Danylych-Skakun introduces the participants to the seminar guidelines.
Photo 4. Seminar participants at work.
Photo 5. The seminar in portraits.
Photo 6. Seminar participants during an art therapy session.
Photo 7. Practicing new techniques outdoors.
Photo 8. The participants’ inner worlds expressed through drawings.
Photo 9. Art therapy: “The Inner Child.”
Photo 10. Art therapy: “A Message to the Inner Child.”
Photo 11. Techniques: “Japanese Massage,” “The Hanger,” “Rain Technique,” and “Circle of Friendly Wishes.”
Photo 12. Around the lunch table. And what’s on the menu?!
Photo 13. The project has become a place where women, like butterflies, “gather” in search of warmth for their souls.