On February 24, the start of the fifth year of the full-scale war begins. The Ukrainian Association for Transactional Analysis (UATA) stands not merely as a survivor of conflict but as a pioneer in organizational resilience. Over the past years, UATA has navigated the profound disruptions of war, transforming from an organization in crisis into a beacon of adaptability and ethical leadership. Its journey offers critical lessons for the global Transactional Analysis (TA) community on how professional bodies can function, survive, and even thrive amidst catastrophe.

Immediate Crisis Response

When explosions first shattered the peace of Ukrainian cities at 4 a.m. on Feb. 24, 2022, UATA’s leadership faced an immediate, existential imperative: ensuring the safety and connection of its members. The response was swift and structured. Utilizing every available channel—from email and social media to emergency messaging groups—UATA established a lifeline for a dispersed and traumatized community. This initial reaction evolved into a sophisticated communication strategy that has sustained the organization through half a decade of conflict.

Applying TA Principles to Governance

Central to UATA’s endurance has been the innovative application of TA principles to organizational management. Faced with the chaos of war, the Board adopted the "Six Ways of Structuring Time" to enhance meeting efficiency. This structured approach allowed for clear, productive communication even when time and resources were severely limited, ensuring that critical decisions could be made swiftly.

Furthermore, UATA implemented a governance model based on ego states. The Parent state took responsibility for organizational welfare, providing stability and care. The Adult assessed reality with unwavering clarity, making pragmatic decisions based on the harsh facts on the ground. The Child acknowledged the vulnerability and emotional needs of members, ensuring that the human element was never lost in the crisis response.

This framework allowed UATA to maintain operations, adapt strategies, and distribute responsibilities effectively, even as its members were scattered across the globe. Roles were assigned based on capacity and resources, with members stepping in to support one another as circumstances shifted. This flexibility was crucial in maintaining the organization's functionality.

Supporting the Community and Maintaining Traditions

The organization’s commitment to its members went beyond administrative support. In the war's early months, UATA hosted daily online debriefings and evening supervision sessions, creating a consistent space for shared grief and professional guidance. These gatherings, often attended by hundreds, became rituals of solidarity where members could process their trauma together.

Despite the backdrop of air raid sirens and bombardment, UATA maintained its annual traditions—the Summer TA Camp and National Conference—transitioning them to online formats. These events were not just professional obligations; they were vital affirmations of continuity and community life. They provided a semblance of normalcy and a powerful reminder of the enduring nature of their professional bonds.

UATA’s response to the displacement of its members demonstrates a profound capacity for adaptation. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by refugees, certified trainers established mobile support groups tailored to specific host countries such as Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom. These groups provided crucial assistance with integration and survival, proving that a national organization can maintain cohesion even when its physical center is fractured.

Innovation, Ethics, and Global Advocacy

Financially, UATA leveraged support to fuel innovation. When the European Association for Transactional Analysis (EATA) waived membership fees in 2022, UATA utilized the retained funds to launch a significant academic initiative. Members with academic degrees formed a collective to publish articles on applying TA in wartime across fields like healthcare and education.

This project not only advanced TA theory but also provided practical tools for a society in crisis. It included a specialized project for treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), directly addressing the mental health crisis precipitated by the war. This initiative highlighted the relevance of TA in addressing acute social issues.

However, UATA’s journey has also highlighted gaps in the global response. While individual national organizations provided immense warmth and logistical aid—notably from Polish and German colleagues¹—UATA has consistently called for a more robust institutional response from EATA. The Ukrainian community seeks recognition not as victims, but as equal partners with unique expertise in crisis management.

They advocate for platforms where experiences of war and dictatorship can be discussed openly, framing these not as "political" issues but as matters of ethical responsibility. UATA believes that avoiding these difficult conversations undermines the integrity of the professional community. They urge their colleagues to confront the realities of the world they live in.

The war has tested the ethical boundaries of the profession. UATA made the difficult decision to refuse new members from the aggressor country while allowing existing Russian members to remain if they aligned with UATA’s values. This nuanced stance, guided by international supervision, reflects a commitment to ethical clarity.

It embodies the "3 Ps": permission to speak the truth, protection of values, and potency in rejecting violence. UATA has demonstrated it is possible to maintain ethical standards even in the most polarized and hostile environments. Their approach offers a model for other organizations facing similar ethical dilemmas.

A Call for Dialogue and Future Resilience

As UATA looks to the future, it offers its hard-won experience as a resource for the world. The organization proposes joint platforms for sharing crisis management strategies, believing that its localized innovations have global relevance. From decentralized decision-making to the "Freedom Rule" in learning environments, UATA’s adaptations are scalable models for any organization facing systemic disruption.

Yet, a question remains: Is the global community ready to listen?

UATA has extended a "stimulus"—an invitation for dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of experience. They ask for a response that goes beyond sympathy to active engagement. The silence on some fronts suggests a hesitation to confront the uncomfortable realities of war.

But UATA’s persistence offers a powerful counter-narrative: that contact is possible, and that even in the darkest times, professional communities can be sources of light. Eric Berne theorized that ideological and physical threats could exhaust a group’s morale. The war in Ukraine is a living embodiment of these threats.

But UATA’s story is a testament to the opposite possibility: that a group, grounded in ethics and truth, can resist exhaustion. It can adapt, create, and lead. As we reflect on the years of conflict, the global TA community should recognize UATA not just for its suffering, but for its strength.

The values of openness, responsibility, and constructive dialogue that UATA champions are essential for a resilient world. It is time for the international community to move beyond observation and engage in the active, sometimes difficult, dialogue that UATA has so courageously initiated. The burden is now on the global community to ensure that this light is not just seen, but used to illuminate the path forward for us all.