“Transformation of Experience” Workshop on Veteran Rehabilitation

On May 3, the first international workshop “Transformation of Experience: Innovative Approaches to Veteran Rehabilitation” took place in Kyiv.
The event brought together leading experts from Luxembourg, the United States, and Ukraine to exchange knowledge and develop new strategies for psychological support for military personnel and veterans.

International Expertise

The workshop was attended by 17 professionals — psychologists, psychotherapists, medical workers, and representatives of civil society organizations.
The program featured presentations by three key speakers:

Mikael Fromeyer (Luxembourg)

presented a talk titled “Rapid Techniques for Emotional Stabilization: European Experience in Trauma Rehabilitation.”
The psychotherapist shared practical methods he successfully applies in his work with refugees and people with disabilities across Europe.

John Kilmer (USA), founder and managing partner of ValiCor US LLC, presented “Strategic Collaboration in the Field of Rehabilitation: The American Experience.”
Special attention was given to the innovative H.E.A.T.™ (Human Emotion Analysis Technology) system — a tool for analyzing human emotions that has the potential to revolutionize approaches to veteran reintegration.

Vladyslav Klochkov (Ukraine),

retired Major General and Head of the Center for Traumatic Stress, presented his new book “The Psychological Resilience of a Warrior.”
The publication is based on his many years of experience in the moral and psychological support system of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Open Discussion Format

The workshop was held in an open discussion format, which enabled participants to actively exchange experiences, ask questions, and jointly develop approaches to integrating international practices into support work with Ukrainian veterans.

“We deliberately chose a live discussion format instead of traditional lectures, because our goal is not merely to transfer knowledge, but to create practical solutions adapted to the Ukrainian context,”
explained Yevheniia Markova, project manager of “Veterans Without Borders.”

The Certificate Ceremony

The culmination of the workshop was the official certificate ceremony for participants of the training sessions with Mikael Fromeyer.
Eighteen professionals received international certificates confirming their qualification in applying the EFT, REMAP, and TRE methods.

“Receiving this certificate is not the final goal, but the beginning of a new chapter in my professional journey. I can now confidently apply these techniques in my work with our defenders,”
shared one of the program graduates.

The “Transformation of Experience” Concept

The workshop marked the launch of a new series of events under the umbrella title “Transformation of Experience.”
This concept is based on the idea that traumatic experience can—and should—be transformed into a resource for personal and professional growth.

“We firmly believe that through international cooperation and the integration of the best global practices, we can create unique programs tailored to the needs of our defenders,”
emphasized Vladyslav Klochkov.

Plans for the Future

The success of the first workshop inspired the organizers to expand the program.
Upcoming events in the “Transformation of Experience” series will address various aspects of rehabilitation — from social reintegration to creative self-expression, from facilitator training to the use of cutting-edge technologies.

About the Organizers

The workshop was organized by the NGO Borderlands Ukraine Foundation as part of the “Veterans Without Borders” project.
The organization is working to build a comprehensive support system for veterans through international cooperation, innovative programs, and the involvement of global experts.