In 2001, psychology, which had been a part of pedagogical, and later – social sciences, grew into a separate faculty of Lesya Ukrainka State University then. So this year it celebrates its American adulthood – 21 years old since its inception. A date that, in the context of the modern rhythm of globalization, is quite significant and weighty. We talked about traditions and current affairs with Tamara Duchyminska, Dean of the Faculty of Psychology, Associate Professor of the Department of Practical Psychology and Psychodiagnostics.
– What stages of formation did the faculty go through for these 21 years?
– As you have noted, this year the faculty is celebrating its American adulthood, but its background dates back to 1989, when the first recruitment of specialists with higher education for retraining in the field of “Practical Psychology” was carried out. Later, the education took place at the Pedagogical Faculty, in the specialty “Practical Psychology in Educational Institutions”, and since 1993 – as part of the Institute of Social Sciences. And only on August 29, 2001, by order of Lesya Ukrainka Volyn State University rector, the Faculty of Psychology was established.
The first dean of the faculty was Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Associate Professor Oleksandra Mykolaivna Khlivna, during 2005–2019 – Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor Zhanna Petrivna Virna. I have been the head of the faculty since December 2019.
Throughout the entire existence of our faculty, the team tried and is trying to use all means and opportunities to increase competitiveness in the market of educational services. After all, the key to success is development, changes, and dynamics. And it is this slogan that forms the basis of the functioning of the Faculty of Psychology. Its activities are based on the good traditions established by outstanding scientists and teachers who, together with the organization of training specialists, are actively engaged in scientific work, carry out applied and fundamental research, implement grant programs, contract topics, etc. Since the establishment of the faculty, new educational programs, laboratories, and centers have been opened; a specialized academic council for the defense of dissertations for obtaining the scientific degree of candidate of psychological sciences has functioned; this year, the doctoral specialized academic council begins its work. All this and much more contributed to the intensive development of scientific schools headed by doctors of science, professors Zhanna Virna, Yaroslav Goshovskyi, Larysa Zasekina, Myroslava Mushkevych. Most of the teachers of our faculty passed their professional development from student to candidate, or even doctor of sciences, right here, thus forming the Volyn Psychological School.
– Tamara Ivanivna, if you were given a creative task to describe the faculty in ten sentences, how would you do it?
– It will not be possible to describe the faculty in ten sentences. But if we single out the main priorities, then I would voice the following: the main task of the faculty is to provide quality knowledge to students and train competent, competitive specialists. Therefore, training is primarily based on the use of the invaluable experience that we have gained and have been accumulating since its formation. The high-quality level of the educational process is ensured by a powerful team of practitioners, experienced teachers, of whom six are doctors of science, professors, 27 are candidates of science, associate professors. Educational programs are built on the principle of balance between theory and practice. Therefore, our students have the opportunity to acquire thorough theoretical knowledge and practice it directly on the bases of practice. And they also get the opportunity to independently shape the learning trajectory by choosing interesting disciplines, gain knowledge on certificate courses and count them as elements of non-formal education.
Also, practice-oriented training involves the fact that bachelor's and master's students are actively involved in work in experimental sites operating on the basis of city schools. Master’s students gain practical experience in the format of supervisory practice at the Counseling Psychological Center. The environment created at the faculty, which provides a student-centered approach, is important. From the first day of admission, students become part of the faculty community, grow intellectually, spiritually and creatively, develop communication skills, thus realizing the opportunity to become a highly qualified specialist capable of working according to the best global standards.
And another important point is the prestige of the psychologist profession and the demand for specialists in the labor market. There is no need to talk about the relevance of psychology, because today it is quite difficult to avoid stress and crisis, not everyone can effectively cope with a difficult situation, that is why people seek support and understanding from specialists. In addition, knowledge of psychology will help everyone in everyday life: make decisions faster, avoid and manage crisis situations, better understand your own emotions and the emotions and behavior of other people, thereby improving your relationships with them, learn more about raising children, etc.
– Tell us about the educational programs of the “Bachelor” and “Master” qualification levels.
– The training of specialists at our Faculty of Psychology is carried out in the specialty 053 Psychology at three levels of education: at the first (bachelor’s), second (master’s) and third (educational and scientific) levels. At the bachelor’s level, we have two educational programs: “Psychology” and “Practical Psychology”. At the second (master’s level) there are three programs: “Psychology”, “Practical Psychology (psychological counseling and psychotherapy)” and “Clinical Psychology”. We have a unique educational and scientific program “Psychology of personality: genesis, safety, health” at the third level of training for a doctor of philosophy.
– Are you a picky dean? Do you control student self-government bodies or give them free reign?
– To a greater extent, I am a democratic dean, and at our faculty, relations are built on mutual control. We are guided by the principle of cooperation, not submission. And since today's young people can be even more competent in some matters than the older generation, that is why we expect more activity, creativity, and initiative from our students. Representatives of student self-government bodies are part of the academic council of the faculty and participate in its meetings. Student activity initiates, organizes and conducts various faculty events. We are especially interested in suggestions for improving the educational process.
– Your psychology specialists can improve their qualifications in several areas and obtain certificates. Based on objective feedback from participants, what are the benefits of these courses?
– The profession of a psychologist is undoubtedly interesting and creative, but at the same time requires daily development of one's professional potential. This is constant self-improvement, study of new methods, modern techniques, conferences, master classes, trainings, seminars, professional development courses... Only then can you become a good professional psychologist. At the Faculty of Psychology, we offer training on certified training courses and professional competence for specialists and students. In particular, according to the programs “Art therapy as a method of psychological assistance”, “Client-centered psychotherapy in work with children and adults”, “Happy family”, “School of coaching skills”, “Art therapy technologies in work with children”, “Applied psychotechnologies of personal resource activation” etc. Every year we have many people willing to study at these courses. These are our students, graduates of the faculty, and teaching colleagues from other institutions. We have many good reviews about interesting and useful information both for professional growth and for the opportunity to independently understand various life situations.
– From the first days of the war, your family entered the aid regime, and patriotic stews appeared in the columns of several Volyn mass media.
– Not only my family, but the majority of Ukrainians joined the aid regime today. At least I can say that the teachers of the Faculty of Psychology have united in order to help people who, in the current conditions, are in need of support, advice, and counseling from a psychologist. This includes volunteer participation in all-Ukrainian and international psychological assistance projects, individual counseling, work in Lutsk crisis center, with military personnel, meetings with the local population, internally displaced persons, group and individual consultations based on the Ukrainian Psychotrauma Center. In addition, this is a lot of other volunteer work, not related to professional activities, to which our teachers have joined.
– In American films, we see that every family has its own doctor, lawyer and psychologist. Is such a level of society possible in our country?
– We are actively moving towards the fact that everyone can have their own psychologist. The style and pace of modern society, the flow of diverse information, many conflict-causing situations, military actions... All this determines the need for psychologist specialists. Our citizens are already aware that a psychologist and a psychiatrist are different professions, that consultation with a psychologist does not necessarily mean a mental disorder, and to such a purely Ukrainian question, “What will the neighbors say?” you can share the contact of a psychologist you know. The level of psychological culture of the population is increasing. This leads to an increase in demand for both individual psychological consultations and psychologist services at the level of enterprises and organizations. Therefore, even today, every self-respecting organization and institution must have a psychologist on staff. So, as I have already said, the profession of a psychologist is now extremely prestigious and in demand. And studying at the Faculty of Psychology today is a successful professional activity tomorrow!
Andrii SOBUTSKY
