Viktoriia Ivanova
From supporting mental well-being in Kyiv to creating a safe space for Ukrainians
Viktoriia Ivanova, an experienced psychologist licensed in Ukraine, moved to Finland in March 2022. She currently works as a crisis and emotional support counselor. Her arrival was a sharp turning point marked by the war in Ukraine—she relocated from Kyiv immediately following the outbreak of the war. Like many others seeking safety, she originally viewed her move as a temporary journey. “We took only one bag and we agreed with our friends that we would stay in Finland only for a couple of weeks,” she recalled. “I had no plans.” Now, four years later, Viktoriia lives in Helsinki, fully immersed in providing vital support for fellow refugees through the Help Center for Ukrainians in Vallila.
Before her move, Viktoriia built her life around mental health advocacy in Ukraine, graduating with her psychology degree in 2017. She ran a thriving private practice in Kyiv that focused on individual consultations, online health projects, and dedicated support groups for women.
When she first arrived, Viktoriia experienced a period of profound relief and gratitude. “In the first year, I was so happy to be here because you notice only good things about both the country and the people,” she shared. However, as the temporary trip stretched into years, the reality of establishing a long-term professional life abroad began to surface.
Viktoriia leading a CeWeMe meeting for Ukrainian women looking for work.
While navigating this new landscape, Viktoriia connected with Startup Refugees. Representatives stepped in to offer personalized guidance, help her restructure her CV, and talk her through the Finnish job market. For Viktoriia, this interaction was an anchor during an overwhelming time. “It was useful for me to see that someone is really willing to help us,” she explained. Later on, during periods of unemployment, she found continuous encouragement from team members like Oleksandr. “Sometimes we don’t need advice as much as we need support – someone to tell us everything will be okay,” she reflected.
Despite securing various counseling roles, Viktoriia hit major roadblocks trying to formally practice as a licensed psychologist due to Finland’s strict certification process through Valvira. “I felt so exhausted by this,” Viktoriia shared, noting the challenging nature of the verification and language requirements. “Finland really has a need for psychologists. You have close to 50,000 Ukrainians and their mental health needs aren’t covered. Yet here we are, professionals who can help.”
Rather than allowing these barriers to exhaust her spirit, Viktoriia adapted. Under the title of emotional counselor, she currently leads crucial individual sessions and specialized women’s support groups at the help center.
Viktoriia participating in a Startup Refugees co-working project where she worked as a well-being consultant and facilitator.
She finds her current work profoundly meaningful, providing a level of psychological safety that local practitioners cannot easily replicate. She notes that significant energy is spent on interpretation, and having a translator present can compromise emotional comfort and the patient-practitioner relationship. “Another reason why it doesn’t always work with Finnish psychologists is that we need to spend time explaining things obvious to Ukrainians to them,” she pointed out. By giving her community the tools to heal, she feels she is helping rebuild her homeland. “The work I’m doing for Ukrainians helps to rebuild Ukraine,” she said passionately.
When asked what essential advice she would pass along to fellow newcomers, Viktoriia focused on human connection. “Find your community,” she urged, emphasizing that finding people who understand your struggles is vital for survival. “In Finland, it can be quite difficult to feel like you truly belong to society right away. That is why finding a community here—it doesn’t even have to be a Finnish one—helps so much. It gives you that essential feeling of belonging.”