Retreat-Based Support for Ukrainian Psychologists and Psychotherapists During the Ongoing War: A Mixed-Methods Study of Changes in Psycho-Emotional Well-Being and Perceived Supportive Elements

Background/Objectives: Ukrainian mental health professionals work under continuous war-related threat. We examined changes in psycho-emotional well-being among Ukrainian psychologists and psychotherapists after a one-week retreat abroad, and the elements they perceived as supportive. Methods: In a mixed-methods study, retreat participants (n = 28) and a non-randomized comparison group (n = 31), all women, completed the WHO-5, CORE-10, BSI subscales, and HAAS before and after the retreat and one month later. Changes were analyzed with linear mixed models. Fourteen interviews were analyzed with qualitative content analysis. Results: From pre- to post-assessment, retreat participants improved more than the comparison group on all seven outcomes (|g| = 0.82–2.08), also after adjustment for age and recent vacation. However, demand characteristics may have inflated these effect sizes. At follow-up, the differences were smaller (|g| = 0.79–1.62) and robust only for psychological distress and well-being. Interviewees described stability, calm, emotional relief, and better sleep, attributed to the interplay of care, nature, safety, voluntary participation, and supportive relationships. Conclusions: A one-week retreat was followed by substantial short-term improvement in psycho-emotional well-being, partly sustained one month after returning to the war zone. The design cannot distinguish the effect of the retreat from that of a week in safety.