Specialists in Ukraine Launch the First-Ever Version of Innovative Trauma Treatment Method for Children

Author:

Olha Yerokhina

The Voices of Children Foundation has become a partner of a major international initiative led by psychologists Viktoriia Gorbunova, Svitlana Roiz, and the organization GlobalInMind. It aims to adapt one of the most effective PTSD treatment methods—the Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) Protocol—for children. This will be the first adaptation of its kind in both Ukraine and the world.

The RTM Protocol is a neuroscience-based, gentle, and, at the same time, highly effective trauma treatment method. It has been used in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., particularly to support veterans. It doesn’t require reliving painful experiences but instead helps the brain “detach” the anxious emotions from traumatic memories using visual and sensory techniques.

However, the classic RTM Protocol was developed for adults. Children have other needs—they have different cognitive development, emotional responses, and imaginative abilities. That’s why a new approach is required when working with child trauma.

A child’s brain is still developing, making it much harder for them to ‘digest’ a traumatic event, process it, understand it, or talk about it. Children don’t have clear scientific frameworks—their thinking is magical, and their imagination is vivid and alive. That’s why children need magic. And that’s exactly what we’re doing—taking a structured method, adding a bit of magic and lots of support, and turning it all into a game,

explains psychologist Viktoriia Gorbunova.

A team of Ukrainian and international specialists is now developing RTM-C, the version of the method tailored specifically for children. It’s grounded in the experiences of children and adolescents and designed to build a safe therapeutic space that respects age-specific needs. The project is based on the original adult RTM Protocol, owned by the Post Traumatic Training Institute (PTTI).

We’ve combined a scientifically validated method—proven effective in trauma recovery—with visual tools designed around a child’s age, emotional needs, well-being, and imaginative capacity. Animations, models, and the very language of the protocol will help children understand what’s important for them to do during sessions and feel safe while processing difficult experiences,

explains psychologist Svitlana Roiz.

The RTM-C Protocol development and research process is being led by Viktoriia Gorbunova, head of the Ukrainian team. It also involves trauma experts working with children and adults, including Serhii Tsiapets and Tetiana Shyriaieva. Svitlana Roiz, the creative mind behind the project, proposed adding animated instructions and designing visual models to support children’s imagination.

This kind of expertise is urgently needed in Ukraine. At the Foundation, we deal with very complex cases every day—depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, and more. Every day brings the same challenge: how to help a child in a way that prevents war from becoming a lifelong burden. That’s why this collaboration is incredibly valuable. I truly hope that more psychologists in Ukraine will be trained in this protocol,

adds Olena Rozvadovska, co-founder of Voices of Children.

The team is currently preparing for the pilot launch.

This project is one-of-a-kind—not just for Ukraine, but globally. It has the potential to set a new standard for supporting children with PTSD. Most importantly, it brings us closer to making high-quality psychological care accessible to every child who needs it.

You can support the development of RTM-C Protocol and other programs for Ukrainian children with donation.

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