Елена 

Olena Karpenko
[відкрити контакти](див. вище в блоці «контактна інформація»)
[відкрити контакти](див. вище в блоці «контактна інформація»)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
September 2024 – Present | International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Psychologist, Mobile Team (Sumy and Kharkiv areas)
Member of a multidisciplinary mobile team including a general practitioner, psychiatrist, and nurse.
• Experience working as a psychologist in regional hospitals in Kharkiv and Sumy. In Kharkiv, provided individual and group counselling, psychological assessment, and psychological support/intervention as part of professional duties. In Sumy, Kharkiv, and Kharkiv region, in addition to clinical practice, delivered trainings for medical and social-work staff on psychological support, stress management, professional burnout, and communication under high workload.
• Provided crisis psychological assistance to people affected by armed conflict, including in de-occupied territories and areas affected by strikes.
• Conducted field visits to hospitals, shelters, transit points, temporary accommodation facilities for internally displaced persons (IDPs), and remote settlements to provide psychosocial support.
• Provided individual psychological consultations to people who had experienced traumatic events.
• Facilitated group awareness and support sessions, including psychoeducation, emotional stabilisation, and self-help skills development.
• Assessed clients' psychological condition, identified risks including PTSD, depression, anxiety, psychosis, mania, suicidal thoughts, and other concerns, and referred clients to specialised services or a psychiatrist when necessary.
• Worked as part of a multidisciplinary mobile team together with doctors, a psychiatrist, and a driver.
• Maintained documentation in accordance with IRC standards, including registration forms, informed consent, and intervention plans.
• Adhered to the principles of confidentiality, humanity, and ethical standards when working with vulnerable populations.
• Participated in regular supervision, trainings, and IRC team coordination meetings.
• Provided rapid response during emergencies, including mass shelling, evacuations, and escalations of hostilities.
• Worked with people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. Provided individual psychological consultations and psychosocial support and adapted working methods to clients' individual needs.
• Conducted individual psychological consultations both online and offline, selecting methods and tools according to the client's request and individual needs.
April 2023 – August 2024 | East SOS Charitable Foundation
Psychologist, Mobile Team – Kharkiv, Kharkiv and Sumy regions
Worked with beneficiaries who were internally displaced persons (IDPs) and people in difficult life circumstances, people affected by the armed conflict in Ukraine, military personnel, veterans, and families of military personnel, veterans, missing persons, and those killed. Provided support at checkpoints for evacuated people in Sumy and Kharkiv.
Responsibilities:
• Psychological support: conducted individual and group consultations; provided crisis intervention in emergency situations; supported people in coping with stress and anxiety.
• Psychological assessment: conducted initial assessments of beneficiaries' mental state; used psychological tests and other assessment methods to identify psychological difficulties.
• Development and implementation of psychological support programmes: developed individual support plans; conducted trainings and seminars for psychoeducation.
• Cooperation with other specialists: collaborated with healthcare professionals, clinical psychology specialists using the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) approach, social workers, and other team members.
• Shared information on beneficiaries' condition and outcomes of interventions.
• Consultation and support for affected people: worked with survivors of violence, including gender-based violence; supported people who had experienced traumatic events.
• Documentation and reporting: maintained records of consultations and prepared reports on completed work for management and relevant authorities.
• Psychoeducation and awareness raising: conducted information campaigns on mental health; disseminated information about available resources and opportunities to receive assistance.
• Ethical and legal responsibilities: adhered to ethical standards and confidentiality; informed beneficiaries about their rights and available opportunities.
August 2021 – March 2024 | Inclusive Kindergarten No. 39
Practical Psychologist and Social Worker
• Provided counselling to families according to professional responsibilities; prepared treatment plans, discharge plans, and follow-up care programmes.
• Collected client information through interviews, medical histories, psychological tests, and/or observation; assessed the information to identify causes of problems and determine an appropriate therapeutic approach or referral to other specialists.
• Provided and/or organised therapeutic interventions according to clients' needs, including for clients in crisis and those with significant disabilities or special needs within an inclusive setting.
• Conducted follow-up to assess the reliability and validity of interventions and provided recommendations for modifying services.
• Consulted with other therapists and relevant professional and paraprofessional staff when appropriate during therapeutic and/or medical interventions.
• Participated in the review of clinical issues, programme policies, and procedures.
• Participated in, facilitated, and/or coordinated training sessions and seminars to improve treatment-related skills.
• Performed other duties as assigned.
March 2022 – Present | Ukrainian Red Cross Society
Volunteer, Psychosocial Support (PSS) Programme
October 2022 – April 2023 | Ukrainian Red Cross Society, Kharkiv Regional Branch
Psychosocial Programme Manager
• Initiated the development of the regional MHPSS system in accordance with IFRC standards and the current needs of war-affected populations.
• Coordinated a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, social workers, and volunteers.
• Implemented psychosocial emergency-response programmes, including emergency interventions, crisis conversations, and support for internally displaced persons.
• Supported team professional development through regular trainings, supervision, and methodological support.
• Established partnerships with local communities, government institutions, and international humanitarian organisations to facilitate intersectoral cooperation.
• Developed and implemented monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for MHPSS programmes and contributed to quality control and adjustment of non-specialised and unstructured psychosocial support programmes.
• Maintained open and professional relationships with team members, supporting strong team cohesion and providing supervision and guidance so that staff could perform their duties effectively. Promoted and monitored staff care and wellbeing.
• Prepared budgets, maintained internal programme documentation, and prepared reports for the central office, donors, and partners. Ensured effective use of resources within the budget and maintained transparency. Prepared weekly and monthly programme implementation reports covering activities, achievements, and challenges.
• Worked closely with finance, logistics, and HR departments to ensure comprehensive implementation of MHPSS programmes. Supported activity planning and implementation in line with the overall programme work plan and weekly team movement plans. Provided technical support and supervision to volunteers through review of complex cases.
• As a volunteer, supported educational staff in creating conditions conducive to children's mental health and comprehensive development. Supported the emotional wellbeing of participants in creative activities and assisted with psychosocial activities for children.
• Facilitated group and individual psychosocial support sessions and demonstrated an understanding of the broader conflict context.
• Supported rapid-response and emergency activities, social and charitable initiatives, and provided psychological first aid to displaced people, older adults, people with disabilities, low-income people, and other vulnerable groups.
• Provided psychosocial support to adults, including older adults, people with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and other populations affected by the armed conflict, with the aim of improving their psychosocial wellbeing.
• Conducted individual and group counselling and other psychosocial activities for populations affected by the armed conflict.
• Regularly travelled to locations designated by the organisation and maintained systematic interaction with authorities and beneficiaries.
• Ensured confidentiality of beneficiary data in accordance with organisational policies and regularly analysed and reported on activities.
October 2013 – May 2021 | Alfa Motors LLC
Marketing Specialist
April 2006 – February 2010 | Smile Service LLC (Freken BOK brand), Kharkiv
Marketing Manager
• Developed integrated marketing solutions, including detailed analytics, call data analysis, and contextual advertising.
• Automated the online store's sales department and customer communication processes.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• I have two higher education degrees and a specialisation in Clinical Psychology.
• Specialisations in Neuropsychology and Sexology.
• Experience facilitating supervision and intervision support groups.
• More than seven years of experience in marketing.
• More than five years of practical experience in psychology.
• National Technical University 'Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute', Kharkiv — Specialist degree in Marketing.
• Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs, Kharkiv — Master's specialisation in Human Behaviour Psychology.
• Currently studying Psychotherapy at Kharkiv State Medical University.
• Certified training in Clinical Psychology through the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP).
• Certified training in trauma therapy under the 'Trauma Therapy Academy using the Murray Method' programme.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND QUALITIES
• Ability to perceive people and situations accurately and comprehensively; strong observation skills and quick orientation in changing circumstances.
• Understanding of individual psychological characteristics and the ability to gain insight into a person's inner world; psychological intuition supported by broad general knowledge and a humanistic approach.
• Empathy, kindness, respect for people, and readiness to provide assistance.
• Ability for self-analysis and a sustained interest in understanding oneself and others.
• Ability to manage oneself and the communication process; attentive and tactful communication; active listening; ability to establish rapport and build trust; sense of humour.
• Knowledge of the humanitarian standards of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support.
• Fluent Russian and Ukrainian; A1 level German and English.
• Excellent computer skills, particularly Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Google Docs.
• Ability to work under stress and meet deadlines.
PERSONAL QUALITIES
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Empathy.
• Ability to respond quickly.
• Diplomacy and flexibility.
• Ability to work effectively in a team.
• Active listening and impartiality.
• Resilience and ability to work effectively under stress.