A Ukrainian institution for trauma-informed recovery
IITS brings together Ukrainian leadership and international expertise to build lasting capacity for trauma treatment, education, research, and recovery.
Born from an urgent need
The International Institute for Trauma Studies was established in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, in response to the profound psychological and social impacts of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
In September 2023, Vinnytsia Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi State Pedagogical University and the International Center for Mental Health and Human Rights (ICMHHR) formalized their collaboration to establish IITS at the university.
From the beginning, the goal has extended beyond responding to immediate trauma. IITS was created to strengthen Ukraine’s own capacity to educate professionals, develop trauma-informed practice, support affected communities, and build institutions capable of sustaining recovery for years to come
Ukrainian-led by design
IITS is built on the principle that Ukraine’s long-term recovery must be led by Ukrainian institutions and professionals.
Ukrainian faculty, clinicians, psychologists, educators, and institutional partners shape how trauma-informed approaches are adapted and applied within the country’s cultural, educational, and clinical contexts. International partners contribute specialized expertise, research, training, supervision, and resources in support of that leadership.
The result is a model focused not only on transferring knowledge, but on building the institutional capacity, professional networks, and Ukrainian expertise needed to sustain trauma-informed recovery over the long term.
The goal is not simply to bring expertise to Ukraine. It is to strengthen the expertise and institutions already within Ukraine.
From training to an ecosystem
IITS began by responding to an immediate need: expanding access to high-quality trauma education and clinical training for Ukrainian professionals during wartime.
As the work has grown, so has the vision. Training individual professionals is essential, but lasting recovery also depends on the institutions and systems around them—universities that educate the next generation, clinics that translate knowledge into practice, professional networks that provide supervision and support, and communities and public institutions that can put trauma-informed approaches into action.
IITS is therefore evolving from a training initiative into a broader platform for collaboration across Ukraine’s trauma-informed recovery ecosystem.
Educate
Build Ukrainian expertise through courses, certification, professional development, and continuing education.
Connect
Strengthen networks among universities, clinicians, researchers, civil society, veteran-serving organizations, educators, and government.
Sustain
Embed trauma-informed knowledge and practice within Ukrainian institutions so capacity continues to grow over time.
Leadership Circle
The IITS Leadership Circle brings together Ukrainian and U.S.-based women leaders in psychology, education, and public health. Through shared leadership and cross-cultural collaboration, they guide the Institute’s mission, programs, growth, and values—ensuring that IITS remains locally rooted and globally connected.
Nataliia Lazarenko
Rector, Vinnytsia State Pedagogical University
Olha Palamarchuk
IITS Ukraine Executive Co-Director · Dean
Tetyana Komar
IITS Director, Core Training · Faculty
Inna Chukhrii
IITS Director, Community Outreach · Faculty
Olha Serha
IITS Director, Family Program · Lead Translator · Faculty
Gaea Logan
IITS USA Executive Director · Faculty