Description
The ongoing war in Ukraine has significantly increased the need for evidence-based psychotherapy protocols capable of reducing the consequences of large-scale and individual psychological traumatisation. The purpose of the study was to systematically analyse modern psychotherapeutic methods for treating traumatic experiences and to identify the principles and factors that ensure their clinical effectiveness in the Ukrainian military context. The methodology included a systematic search of publications from 2019-2025 across five international databases and national repositories, followed by content analysis and comparative generalisation of quantitative indicators, with data from Europe, North America, and Ukraine ensuring comparability and strengthening internal validity. The analysis showed that Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) produced an average 85-90% reduction in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after twelve to sixteen sessions, while Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) yielded 80-85% remission for single-event trauma. Somatic-oriented and emotionally focused programmes reduced manifestations of complex traumatisation by 70-75%, and structured group interventions incorporating cultural factors decreased collective distress by 70-80% while strengthening social support networks. Neuropsychological findings demonstrated that amygdala hyperactivation combined with reduced prefrontal regulation and hippocampal dysfunction correlated with emotional dysregulation, increased affective lability, and cognitive impairments, particularly in individuals with high cumulative stress loads. The results confirm the feasibility of a multilevel, phase-based care model that integrates online stabilisation, individually tailored cognitive or exposure-based protocols, and culturally sensitive group interventions, supported by systematic monitoring of life stress and targeted prevention of secondary traumatisation among mental health professionals.
Keywords: Cognitive behavioural therapy, bilateral stimulation, emotional regulation, somatic-oriented approaches, social support, neurobiological mechanisms
