Facing the Moment: Finding Our Way Through (Ep. 6)

In this deeply moving episode of Facing the Moment, we explore what it means to live, work, and nurture hope in the midst of war. Ukrainian psychologist and university educator Anastasiia Shyroka shares her firsthand experience since the 2022 invasion, from the shock of the first days and leading humanitarian efforts to teaching students under siege and guiding communities through trauma. She reflects on the daily balancing act between survival and professional purpose—how people create “islands of safety” for one another with quiet persistence. The losses carried by individuals and society are incalculable.

Drawing on her research and practice—and rooted in purpose, coping skills, and humanity—Dr. Shyroka offers profound insights into resilience. We need to acknowledge and navigate the burdens of history, but we also need to demonstrate courage and care. She describes her work with others to bring Internal Family Systems therapy to Ukraine, where she and her collaborators create healing spaces through cultural initiatives and prepare for the immense task of post-war recovery.

A conversation about pain, persistence, and the power of small acts, this episode invites listeners to witness a human spirit under siege. Together, we endure, we connect, and we never stop building toward a better future.

Anastasiia Shyroka, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy and serves as Deputy Dean for International Academic Relations at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ukrainian Catholic University. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, her main focus has been on integrating diverse trauma-sensitive practices and approaches into professional communities and local networks. She actively collaborates with community organizations and initiatives to raise awareness about mental health, the impact of traumatic experiences, and ways to nurture collective resilience. She is a co-author of the project Music for Healing the Wounds of War. Since 2023, she has been involved with the Ukrainian Relief Initiative launched by the Foundation for Self-Leadership, initially as a translator, and now plays an active role in developing the IFS professional community in Ukraine—coordinating monthly meetings with IFS experts, implementing PAUSE model training in cooperation with the Self Leadership Collaborative, and expanding access to IFS training for Ukrainian specialists. She is convinced of the importance of building more resilient and compassionate professional communities—capable of showing greater understanding and care both for themselves and for others who are in great need at this time.