Holding Space for Healing –– with Sofiia Khalik at the Orange County Rape Crisis Center

My fascination with human behavior began in high school as I closely observed the early development of my younger siblings. That initial curiosity deepened when I volunteered at a summer camp, where guiding preschoolers and encouraging their creativity taught me how essential a safe, supportive environment is for growth. I saw how children thrive when they feel secure, seen, and heard. In recent years, however, my understanding of safety and support has been profoundly reshaped. Witnessing the impact of war in Ukraine, widespread trauma and instability, and volunteering on a crisis helpline for Ukrainian youth, I listened to stories filled with fear, displacement, and uncertainty—experiences that stripped people of their sense of control. Yet in these conversations, I also witnessed the quiet power of simply being heard. Providing a safe space where someone could speak freely, became a small but meaningful step toward healing. These moments changed how I think about trauma, resilience, and recovery. They deepened my commitment to trauma-informed care and strengthened my belief in the importance of creating spaces, combining therapeutic, communal, or personal aspects, where people can begin to reclaim a sense of safety, autonomy, and self.

Driven by a desire to further understand trauma and its complex psychological effects, I joined the UNC Stress and Anxiety Lab under the guidance of Dr. Abramowitz. There, I contributed to research on relationship-OCD and later researched interventions targeting interoceptive anxiety, or the fear of bodily sensations. Through this work, I began to see how even internal experiences, like intrusive thoughts or bodily symptoms, can make individuals feel unsafe within themselves. It grew clear to me that creating a safe space is not limited to physical environments. It also means helping people feel secure in their own minds and bodies. This idea I carried further into my thesis research, focusing on coping strategies individuals employ and their connection to post-traumatic symptoms. Alongside this academic journey, I also was fortunate to see how trauma-informed care works in practice and fosters safe, empowering settings—both internal and external—where individuals can begin to heal and reclaim their sense of control through Karen M. Gil Internship Program.

At the Orange County Rape Crisis Center, I have the opportunity to contribute directly to building strength-building environments and addressing the impact of sexual violence in the Chapel Hill community and beyond. As a member of the Client Services team, I intend to support survivors and witnesses through a helpline, assist with client advocacy, and provide accompaniment, as they navigate their healing journey. Under the mentorship of the center’s Executive Director Rachel Valentine and Client Services Director Ray Wasilewski, I have been introduced to the range of responsibilities that I will undertake and that reflect the center’s commitment to trauma-informed care. Over the past few weeks, I have received training in active listening, verbal de-escalation as well as providing crisis planning and appropriate resources to all callers . I also attend bi-monthly Companion training meetings and staff meetings to stay updated on the team’s ongoing work. One of my favourite tasks so far has been role-playing crisis scenarios, which has strengthened my ability to respond with empathy and compassion. In the weeks ahead, I look forward to shadowing client advocacy and participating in hospital accompaniment, thus learning how to walk beside survivors as they reclaim their power.

I am profoundly thankful for the opportunity to work alongside such dedicated and passionate advocates at OCRCC, who continue to show me what it means to create empowering spaces with care. Through this experience, I feel motivated to explore the intersection of research and clinical practice in work with trauma and resilience. Driven by this passion, I plan to pursue graduate study in Clinical Psychology with a focus on this field. This journey would not have been possible without ongoing support of Gil Internship Coordinators––Dr. Steven Buzinski, Emily Dolegowski, and Richie Gray. I am deeply grateful to have found a path where my passion for psychological research and my commitment to contributing to healing-centered spaces can come together in meaningful and lasting ways.