Seeking Support for LGBT Training for Social Service Professionals in Romania

-Maura Reap, PCV, February 2005

I am currently serving as a volunteer in Romania. Let me describe a project that I am working on in collaboration with several Romanian organizations, and to see if anyone in the LGB RPCV group can help.

Specifically, the project is a two-day sensitivity training seminar for social workers, psychologists, and school counselors, and the focus will be on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) issues. This is a topic that is considered taboo in Romania, and is rarely addressed in professional training programs. Consequently, social service providers working with GLBT individuals are poorly prepared as to how to effectively work with them.
Typical treatment interventions that are utilized with GLBT individuals include conversion therapy techniques (to change the client’s perceived orientation), referrals to religious figures for spiritual counseling, and even exorcisms! Such techniques are the norm rather than the exception. Sadly, I have seen the effects of such archaic practices when gay clients, having failed to “recover” from their homosexuality, have attempted suicide.

I truly believe that these mental health professionals want to help their clients, but they lack the knowledge to do so. Thus, the purpose of this seminar is to provide social service professionals from all over Romania with the tools they need to effectively work with and help their GLBT clients. The principles that will be taught at the seminar are based upon the guidelines currently endorsed by the American Psychological Association. I have a master’s degree in clinical psychology, and am very familiar with these guidelines.

The planning for the workshop is complete. My Romanian colleagues and I have identified a venue, speakers, and beneficiaries. We are working in collaboration with four Romanian NGO’s. The only thing left to accomplish to make this seminar happen is to secure the necessary funding. I have submitted a grant proposal through Peace Corps Partnership program.