In times of war, many people experience heightened anxiety and mistrust. How can a psychologist create a safe space for a client in such conditions? Psychologist Diana Shumylo, who works as part of the Pact project, shares her experience using the innovative Anonymity Therapy technique, which helps clients open up and receive effective help.

Diana says that people affected by war are always anxious, withdrawn, and do not trust anyone. To help them feel more comfortable, the psychologist suggests using a symbolic mask.

“The mask gives a person a sense of protection and anonymity. It allows you to express your thoughts and feelings more sincerely,” Diana explains. Thanks to this, the psychologist can get more accurate indicators when testing the level of anxiety and depression.

The psychologist notes that this technique significantly accelerates the process of adaptation of the victims to new living conditions and helps them get over the traumatic experience faster. Even with a high level of anxiety, it is possible to successfully carry out the grounding technique and improve the internal state of a person.

The victim himself must decide at what stage he is ready to remove the mask and communicate openly. The specialist’s main task is to provide psychological help under any conditions while maintaining the client’s anonymity and confidentiality.

The experience of our psychologist shows that Anonymity Therapy is an effective tool in working with clients who have survived the traumatic experience of war. This technique helps to create an atmosphere of trust and security, which is critical for successful psychological care in today’s challenging environment.

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Consultations are conducted within the program Complex Psychological Assistance to Children and Families Affected by War, which is implemented within the USAID project Development of a Sustainable Public Health System with the support of PACT and aims to provide psychological support to displaced persons — adults and children who have experienced trauma.