The TPSS+ Experience in Ukraine: An Innovative Approach to the Impact Analysis of Psychosocial Interventions

Demonstrating the effectiveness of low-threshold psychosocial interventions such as the Trauma Psycho-Social Support Plus EMDR-Elements (TPSS+) (Registered by WIPO 2019: 1 475 537) presents specific methodological challenges, as conventional psychometric instruments often fail to fully capture meaningful changes in clients’ psychological well-being. This paper, after outlining the development of TPSS+ and the training programs conducted in Ukraine since 2017, systematically evaluates data from over 1,200 clients. Using an innovative research design, the study integrates diverse data sources, including demographic and treatment-specific information, quantitative test scores, and detailed qualitative statements from both trauma-counselors and clients. A rigorous evaluation of these qualitative statements not only confirms the psychosocial improvements suggested by the quantitative data but also sheds light on how different client groups, each experiencing distinct traumatic events, have benefitted from TPSS+ and the support of their trauma-counselors. Notably, both trauma-counselors and clients participating in the training, treatment sessions, and data collection in Ukraine were themselves exposed to the chronic stress of an ongoing war. Therefore, the methodology and findings presented here not only provide evidence of TPSS+’s effectiveness within the EMDR community but also may be relevant for other nongovernmental organizations implementing similar low-threshold psychosocial interventions in crisis regions.