Firefighters are often perceived as an unwanted part of the internal protective system—something to be weakened or reduced. At the same time, firefighters play a crucial role in saving the system from threat, whether that threat is real or perceived.

Firefighter parts act in the moment, responding quickly and intensely to ensure survival. In this meeting, we will explore how firefighters are formed and what role they play within a person’s internal system. We will look at firefighters in the context of various clinical conditions (panic disorder, PTSD, OCD) and examine their mechanisms of action. A separate focus will be dedicated to firefighters in the context of combat trauma among soldiers.

How can we work with such firefighters?
How do we stay grounded when the entire system is trying to frighten us in order to protect itself?
How do we build trust and regulate our own system when working with aggressive firefighters?

About the speaker:

Kateryna Timakina
Clinical psychologist, PA IFS training level 1, psychotherapist with the organizations Vilnyi Vybir and Veteran Hub. Psychosocial expert with Polaris, People in Need, and UNESCO, and a mental health program manager. She previously led the mental health direction within Veteran Hub++, a support network for soldiers and their families.