Biosuggestive Therapy in the Correction of Mental Trauma
- Dzmitry Karpuk
- Dec 9, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 15
Article type: Research Article
Authors: Dr Tetiana Ivanitska-Diachun¹; Yuliia Kharkhalis²
Affiliations: ¹Department of Psychiatry, I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ternopil, Ukraine; ²I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ternopil, Ukraine
Corresponding Authors: Tetiana Ivanitska-Diachun (¹), ivanitska_te@tdmu.edu.ua; Yuliia Kharkhalis (²), harhalis_yulyur@tdmu.edu.ua
Published: 15 December 2025
Abstract
Biosuggestive Therapy (BST) is an innovative Ukrainian psychotherapeutic method specifically developed in wartime conditions for the rapid correction of the consequences of psychological trauma. The approach integrates verbal and non-verbal suggestion techniques, including the therapist’s modulated voice and either imagined or gentle real touch, to induce a therapeutic state of relaxation and perceived safety. BST is adapted to the specific needs of individuals who have experienced traumatic events and can be used both individually and in group formats, including online. The current evidence base for the method is based primarily on expert opinion, clinical observations, and preliminary studies, as randomised controlled trials have not been conducted due to the ongoing crisis conditions. Preliminary findings indicate a prompt reduction in psychosomatic symptoms (such as anxiety, pain, and sleep disorders) following only a few sessions. However, the method is still regarded as a conceptual hypothesis that requires further scientific investigation.
The article deals with the theoretical foundations of BST (including suggestive therapy, polyvagal theory, somatic approaches, and the neurobiology of trauma), provides a detailed description of the session methodology, presents available empirical data and clinical observations, and discusses ethical considerations related to the application of the method. In conclusion, the authors emphasise the limitations of the current evidence, advocate for the ethical use of BST, and invite the international community to collaborate in further research and development of this promising approach to trauma treatment.
Keywords: biosuggestive therapy; psychological trauma; suggestion; hypnotherapy; therapeutic touch; polyvagal theory; autonomic nervous system; parasympathetic activation; psychosomatic symptoms; war-related trauma
© 2025 The Author(s).
Published by the Complex Trauma Institute under the Creative Commons
Attribution–NonCommercial–NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
Published in: Perspectives on Complex Trauma
Volume 6, Issue 1 (2025)
ISSN 2635-0807
Comments