USING THE PRINCIPLES AND METHODS OF SHORT-TERM STRATEGIC THERAPY TO CONDUCT AN ON-LINE PSYCHOLOGICAL GROUP FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE SUFFERED FROM CANCER

The article describes the experience of conducting psychological groups in an online format for parents of children who suffered from cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic and self-isolation. The need to work with psychologists was dictated by the actualization of anxiety for the health of children in the context of the pandemic, the regime of self-isolation and restrictions, increasing difficulties in organizing the educational process for children, and the failure of plans to attend rehabilitation exit programs. Online psychological groups for parents of children who have had cancer (remission from 1 to 10 years) were conducted in the period from April to June 2020. A total of 10 group meetings were held. The principles and techniques of short-term strategic therapy were used as a methodological basis. The goal of the group was psychological support in a situation of chronic trauma caused by a serious illness in a child, against the background of situational stress. Tasks of psychological groups: promoting safe channeling of feelings, blocking dysfunctional ways of solving emotional and pressing problems, correcting child-parent relationships, teaching self-regulation methods, and promoting the development of effective coping strategies. The article analyzes the main difficulties reported by parents of children with cancer patients: the consequences of psychotrauma, stress, anxiety; signs of psychoemotional burnout; problems of child-parent relations. The structure of the classes is described and some of the techniques used are given. The difficulties and advantages of the online format of conducting psychological groups are noted.