ISRAELI EXPERIENCE IN THE REHABILITATION OF MILITARY VETERANS FOR THE TRAINING SYSTEM OF MILITARY PSYCHOLOGISTS IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article is aimed at the exploring the Israeli experience of rehabilitation of war veterans and the possibilities of its extrapolation into the training system of military psychologists in Ukraine. The study is a component of the scientific research “Information and analytical support of psychological science in the war and post-war periods of Ukraine” (2024-2025), which is being implemented in the V. Sukhomlynskyi State Scientific and Educational Library of Ukraine. The authors use the extrapolation method, which consists in the broad transfer of evidence from one part of the phenomenon to another. An analysis of scientific works was conducted to reveal the topic of the study; confirmation of the relevance of the Israeli experience of rehabilitation of war veterans for the system of training military psychologists in Ukraine. The Israeli approach to people who survived hostilities and returned to civilian life after receiving injuries, disabilities, or psychological trauma is analyzed. It is stated that the Israeli experience occupies a leading place in the system of information and analytical support for the training of military psychologists, in the context of the development of the problem of rehabilitation of military veterans. It is noted that a group for the rehabilitation of military veterans (Combat Fitness Retraining Unit) has been created in Israel, which includes psychiatrists, social workers, clinical psychologists, and specialists in sports and combat training. It is emphasized that an important condition for the effectiveness of the work of military psychologists are such aspects as: the doctor or psychologist who provides assistance must have combat experience, which allows them to establish more trusting communications in the process of therapy. The authors characterize psychological techniques and methods, in particular, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), emotionally focused therapy (EFT), exposure therapy, group therapy, relaxation and meditation techniques, and self-regulation techniques. It is concluded that the Israeli experience of rehabilitation of military veterans is valuable for the formation of psychological readiness of Ukrainian psychologists for combat training of military personnel and – in war conditions – the performance of combat missions by providing psychological assistance to military personnel and their family members. The Israeli programme of rehabilitation of military personnel after demobilization deserves attention, aimed at those who are ready to fight, without being left alone to solve minor problems. This programme also provides for training of relatives of the demobilized person before his/her return home.