Current Community Psychoanalytic Projects

Safe Harbor Project:  Building Bridges of Understanding, Poland & Ukraine

2024-present

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The Safe Harbor Project, conceived by Dr. Sehon, addresses the urgent psychological needs of those affected by the conflict in Ukraine. Inspired by the International Town Hall Project, where Ukrainian participation waned due to displacement and trauma, this initiative offers specialized online support, emphasizing individual needs.


A key aspect of this project is its collaborative design, driven by Dr. Sehon's commitment to working alongside Ukrainian experts. Dr. Sehon traveled to Poland to initiate partnerships with Ukrainian experts—Kateryna Shukh (psychologist and art therapist), Maryna Puhachova (human rights lawyer), and Kuzma Kolesnyk (refugee legal support specialist)—to design a culturally sensitive 9-month program that integrates psychoanalytic principles, trauma-informed practices, and art therapy. Its unique two-part structure establishes supportive groups and empowers participants as "agents of change" through a train-the-trainer model, thereby amplifying its impact. Launching June 2025, this collaborative design aims to build long-term resilience.


In 2025, the International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA) recognized the project's profound vision, awarding it Second Prize in the Psychoanalytic Assistance in Emergencies and Crises category. This prestigious award recognizes the project's mission to extend psychoanalytic thinking and practice to individuals and communities in dire need, highlighting its potential for adaptation in other conflict-ridden regions.


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International Town Hall Project 2022 - present

The International Town Hall Project, an innovative initiative spearheaded and continuously led by Dr. Sehon at the International Psychotherapy Institute (IPI), was launched initially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and evolved in February 2022 to address the psychological impact of global conflicts, most notably the war in Ukraine. Dr. Sehon conceived the idea of creating a virtual "humanitarian corridor" where therapists and analysts worldwide, including those directly affected in Ukraine and Russia, can engage in free expression and psychoanalytic exploration.


What makes this project unique is Dr. Sehon's ongoing application of psychoanalytic principles in a group setting to mentor and support others in navigating the complexities of war trauma. Participants explore their experiences, process trauma, and cultivate resilience, often finding a safe refuge to express conflicting views and overwhelming emotions.  The project fosters global connections and solidarity among peers. Her leadership facilitates meaningful conversations in which she analyzes unconscious themes and non-verbal communication to support professional healing and a sense of shared humanity.


Recognized by the International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA) with the Community and the World Awards, the Town Hall Project received second prize in the category of Psychoanalytic Assistance in Emergencies and Crises. Responding to the urgent needs of wartime, Dr. Sehon's visionary adaptations of clinical techniques provided a lifeline by “thinking under fire,” extending psychoanalytic support to those in desperate circumstances.