58. “Navigating the storm” with Dr. Lucia Berdondini

Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being in aid organisations

In today’s episode, we hear from Dr. Lucia Berdondini, a Gestalt therapist and humanitarian, who shares her journey and the importance of embodying change in times of crisis. She discusses how grief and uncertainty are affecting the humanitarian workforce amidst recent challenges, and how we can support ourselves and others through this transformative period.

Key points:

• The power of "embodying change" and how it applies to both personal and professional crises.
• Grief and emotional responses in times of uncertainty: why they don’t follow a linear path.
• The role of community and peer support in navigating crises and finding agency.
• The importance of creating spaces to reflect and support each other, particularly in the humanitarian sector.
• Practical strategies from Dr. Berdondini's portal for supporting humanitarian workers’ well-being.

About the guest:

Dr. Lucia Berdondini is an Associate Professor in Psychology and Course Leader of the Distance Learning MSc Humanitarian Intervention at the University of East London. A BACP Accredited Gestalt Psychotherapist since 2003, she has worked extensively with individuals, couples, and groups. Her research and practice focus on psychosocial interventions in war-affected regions, existential therapies, and intercultural counselling training, with experience in Afghanistan, Angola, India, Syria, and Ukraine. She has authored numerous international academic publications in these fields.

Resources mentioned:

• Dr. Lucia Berdondini’s online portal for well-being and mental health support for humanitarian and healthcare practitioners. [LINK]
• The session, titled "Singing, Singing, and Counter-Singing", will take place in 26th of February 2025 at 4:00pm (UK time) and will explore the power of voice, music, and rhythm in fostering resilience and well-being in humanitarian and healthcare contexts. The event will be facilitated by Valentina Barlacchi, Gestalt therapist and recently awarded with the MSc Humanitarian Intervention. You can find full details and register HERE.

Quotes by Dr. Lucia Berdonini

1. "Embodying change means investing your choices, emotions, and actions into addressing the challenges life throws at you."
2. "In moments of crisis, the first thing we need to do is connect with each other, through listening, sharing, and acknowledging our feelings."
3. "Grief doesn’t follow a linear path. It can surprise you with waves of emotion, and that’s okay. Be patient with yourself."
4. "Humanitarians are not indestructible. They need support just like anyone else."
5. "Let’s look at this challenging time as an opportunity to create new, more decentralized, and more resilient systems of support."