FEATURES OF THE PRACTICAL PSYCHOLOGIST'S WORK WITH FORCEDLY DISPLACED PERSONS USING GESTALT THERAPY

Abstract

The article investigates the peculiarities of implementing gestalt therapy techniques in the professional practice of psychologists working with internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ukraine, particularly youth aged 19 to 25, in the context of ongoing military conflict and large-scale forced migration. Emphasis is placed on the psychological challenges IDPs face, including elevated levels of stress, trauma, loss of social status, disintegration of interpersonal ties, and the disruption of existential continuity. The study underscores the relevance and efficacy of gestalt therapy as a holistic psychotherapeutic approach addressing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions of psychological functioning. The empirical section of the study involved 40 respondents and was conducted on the basis of a psychological counseling center. It utilized a set of diagnostic tools, including the Lazarus Coping Test, PSM-25 Stress Scale, and the OSADA Personality Adaptation Scale, to assess coping strategies, stress levels, and the degree of psychological adaptation among participants before and after the intervention. The psychotherapeutic intervention was implemented in a group format based on core principles of gestalt therapy, emphasizing awareness, responsibility, and contact within the here-and-now framework. The results demonstrated a statistically significant shift from maladaptive to adaptive coping strategies, a reduction in stress levels, and enhanced indicators of psychological well-being and social functioning. Specifically, the share of respondents with high stress levels decreased from 30% to 17.5%, while those with low stress levels increased from 10% to 50%. A noticeable increase in satisfaction with mental state, interpersonal relationships, and overall life activity was also recorded. The study confirms the relevance of integrating gestalt therapeutic techniques into psychological support systems for IDPs, highlighting their potential to foster emotional resilience, psychological stability, and social reintegration. The results contribute to the development of practical recommendations for psychologists and support the creation of tailored intervention programs sensitive to the sociocultural and age-specific needs of internally displaced youth.