Kharkiv Foundation for Psychological Research
The NGO HFP – providing professional psychosocial support to individuals and communities in times of crisis
- For over 20 years, we have been providing professional support to people in crisis, combining psychology, creativity and community
- From one-to-one support to large-scale projects — we are rebuilding mental health where it needs support the most
- We create safe, supportive spaces — in hospitals, community centres and local communities — where children and adults can rebuild their inner resilience, forge new connections and feel that they are not alone
About us
The non-profit organisation ‘Kharkiv Foundation for Psychological Research’
Provides professional psychological support to the people of Kharkiv, the region and other parts of Ukraine. We bring together qualified specialists with many years of experience in the field of practical and crisis psychology
For over two decades, the organisation has been running psychological programmes, organises conferences, training sessions and events for professionals and the general public. During the war, these activities are held in both Kharkiv and Uzhhorod in collaboration with European partners
The organisation’s mission is to provide psychosocial support to people in crisis (age-related crises (adolescence, crises affecting older people), crises linked to stressful events (illness, war, etc.)). We implement both professional psychological support projects and projects that combine psychological and artistic elements, including playback theatre, forum theatre, documentary theatre, hospital clowning and audiovisual art
We work with people who are coping with loss, illness, age-related and life crises, as well as the consequences of war. Psychosocial support is provided by a team of certified psychologists in collaboration with volunteers and partner organisations
Areas of activity
Psychosocial support centers
Our centres, “HUB 057” and “Station Uzh”, are safe spaces for psychological recovery, adaptation and meaningful interaction for residents of Kharkiv and internally displaced persons. From mobile sessions in communities across the Kharkiv region to art spaces in Kharkiv and Uzhhorod — we combine psychology, culture and creativity so that people can once again feel supported and a sense of belonging
Psychosocial support centers
Our centres, “HUB 057” and “Station Uzh”, are safe spaces for psychological recovery, adaptation and meaningful interaction for residents of Kharkiv and internally displaced persons. From mobile sessions in communities across the Kharkiv region to art spaces in Kharkiv and Uzhhorod — we combine psychology, culture and creativity so that people can once again feel supported and a sense of belonging
Psychosocial support centers
Our centres, “HUB 057” and “Station Uzh”, are safe spaces for psychological recovery, adaptation and meaningful interaction for residents of Kharkiv and internally displaced persons. From mobile sessions in communities across the Kharkiv region to art spaces in Kharkiv and Uzhhorod — we combine psychology, culture and creativity so that people can once again feel supported and a sense of belonging
Hospital clowns "Fancy Noses"
“Fancy Noses” bring more than just joy to hospitals; they provide professional psychosocial support. Through play, creativity and our presence, we help children and adults cope with illness and crisis, whilst also training a new generation of hospital clowns to support the most vulnerable
Hospital clowns "Fancy Noses"
“Fancy Noses” bring more than just joy to hospitals; they provide professional psychosocial support. Through play, creativity and our presence, we help children and adults cope with illness and crisis, whilst also training a new generation of hospital clowns to support the most vulnerable
Hospital clowns "Fancy Noses"
“Fancy Noses” bring more than just joy to hospitals; they provide professional psychosocial support. Through play, creativity and our presence, we help children and adults cope with illness and crisis, whilst also training a new generation of hospital clowns to support the most vulnerable
Social assistance
Personalised support, combining psychological, social and legal assistance, helps people find solutions to difficult life situations and regain stability, confidence and the ability to move forward
Social assistance
Personalised support, combining psychological, social and legal assistance, helps people find solutions to difficult life situations and regain stability, confidence and the ability to move forward
Social assistance
Personalised support, combining psychological, social and legal assistance, helps people find solutions to difficult life situations and regain stability, confidence and the ability to move forward
Educational programs
We develop training programmes for psychologists and professionals in related fields who are seeking to deepen their expertise and advance their careers. Our courses in systemic family constellations, body-oriented therapy and dance and movement therapy combine practical training, contemporary approaches and real-world experience of working with people
Educational programs
We develop training programmes for psychologists and professionals in related fields who are seeking to deepen their expertise and advance their careers. Our courses in systemic family constellations, body-oriented therapy and dance and movement therapy combine practical training, contemporary approaches and real-world experience of working with people
Educational programs
We develop training programmes for psychologists and professionals in related fields who are seeking to deepen their expertise and advance their careers. Our courses in systemic family constellations, body-oriented therapy and dance and movement therapy combine practical training, contemporary approaches and real-world experience of working with people
Our projects
Implemented
Since the start of the full-scale war, we have implemented a series of psychological and psychosocial support projects for children, teenagers and families, combining therapy, creativity, education and the arts. These initiatives have helped hundreds of people to regain their emotional balance, find support within the community and create new opportunities for development, even amidst the difficult conditions of war
Implemented
Since the start of the full-scale war, we have implemented a series of psychological and psychosocial support projects for children, teenagers and families, combining therapy, creativity, education and the arts. These initiatives have helped hundreds of people to regain their emotional balance, find support within the community and create new opportunities for development, even amidst the difficult conditions of war
Implemented
Since the start of the full-scale war, we have implemented a series of psychological and psychosocial support projects for children, teenagers and families, combining therapy, creativity, education and the arts. These initiatives have helped hundreds of people to regain their emotional balance, find support within the community and create new opportunities for development, even amidst the difficult conditions of war
Active
We run psychosocial support programmes that help people restore their mental health and sense of support, even in the most challenging times. Together with our international partners, we are creating support networks for communities in Kharkiv and the Kharkiv region — ranging from professional MHPSS support to creative therapeutic programmes for children in hospitals
Active
We run psychosocial support programmes that help people restore their mental health and sense of support, even in the most challenging times. Together with our international partners, we are creating support networks for communities in Kharkiv and the Kharkiv region — ranging from professional MHPSS support to creative therapeutic programmes for children in hospitals
Active
We run psychosocial support programmes that help people restore their mental health and sense of support, even in the most challenging times. Together with our international partners, we are creating support networks for communities in Kharkiv and the Kharkiv region — ranging from professional MHPSS support to creative therapeutic programmes for children in hospitals
History of the Foundation
From a professional community to a powerful network for change — discover how dozens of specialists, hundreds of events and international partnerships have shaped a foundation that has been transforming people’s lives through psychological support for over 20 years.
1
The non-profit organisation ‘Kharkiv Foundation for Psychological Research’ was established in 2002 a group of proactive psychologists united by a desire to apply psychological knowledge in real life to improve people’s quality of life and foster humanistic values in society. The impetus for the organisation’s creation was the first International Conference on Practical Psychology, ‘Sex. Death. Transformation’, which took place in 2001 in Kharkiv. It brought together around 80 participants from various countries and served as a platform for presenting diverse approaches to practical psychology and spiritual practices. Following the conference, a supervision group was established to analyse professional cases from psychologists’ practice, led by psychologist Olena Kostrub.
2
By that time, it had become clear that the social environment, shaped over decades by the inhumane principles of Soviet education, was in need of profound change. Society required new approaches based on respect for human dignity, the uniqueness and creative potential of every individual. That is why the idea arose to set up a voluntary organisation,which would promote humanistic values, conduct psychological research into the humanisation of social systems, and provide psychological support to people during periods of social transformation.
3
As early as 2002, the organisation hosted the Second International Psychology Conference, ‘Metamorphoses of Libido. Eros. Amor. Agape’. Over 150 participants attended the event. The conference was dedicated to the theme of love and its manifestations in various spheres of human life. The programme included lectures, discussions, practical workshops, film screenings and art exhibitions, which allowed the topic to be explored comprehensively — from psychological, cultural and spiritual perspectives. In 2004, the foundation continued its exploration of complex yet vital themes of human life by organising the conference “The Other Side of Life” (“Po tu storonu zhizni”), dedicated to the phenomenon of death and the experience of loss. Around 50 people took part. At that time, the subject of death and the grieving process was rarely discussed openly in society.
4
The conference marked an important step towards developing an understanding of the psychology of loss, supporting people during the grieving process, and exploring what helps or, conversely, hinders the grieving process. The programme included lectures, discussions, an examination of ritual practices, and workshops on body-oriented therapy. In the next phase of its work, the organisation focused on the dissemination of practical knowledge in psychology and the professional development of specialists. The following were organised: training programmes in systemic family therapy in collaboration with the Integrative Family Institute, professional development programmes in thanatotherapy and body-oriented therapy, courses in dance therapy, as well as training seminars on concentration relaxation and other contemporary psychological methods.
5
In 2005, the foundation organised a major conference entitled ‘Family and Society’, which attracted over 350 participants. The conference featured panel discussions, presentations by experts and discussions on pressing socio-psychological issues. A collection of abstracts was published following the conference. The year 2013 marked an important stage in the organisation’s development, when the foundation’s team found an effective way of engaging with the healthcare system to humanise the hospital environment. Thus, in the organisation’s activities the field of hospital clowning emerged — professional psychosocial practice that helps support children and their families during treatment and creates a more humane and supportive environment in healthcare settings.
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