Association for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans *, intersexual and queer people in psychology

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Association for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans *, intersexual and queer people in psychology VLSP eV
(VLSP)
legal form registered association
founding 1993 as "Association of Lesbian Psychologists in Germany eV"
Seat Legal seat: Munich , office: Mannheim
purpose Strengthening scientific lsbtiq psychology
Chair 3- to 7-member board
Members about 150
Website www.vlsp.de

The association for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans *, intersexual and queer people in psychology VLSP eV is a nationwide active non-profit association. It has existed since 1993. Its members are mainly lsbtiq people who work in the field of psychology . With its recommendations on psychotherapy and counseling with lesbian, gay and bisexual clients , the VLSP achieved professional international recognition in 2015 through IPsyNet, a sub-organization of the American Psychological Association (APA). The recommendations were included in their collection of Guidelines and Practice Position Statements, which are intended to provide assistance in the training of psychologists in relation to sexual orientation.

aims

The VLSP sees its association's goal in the promotion of scientific psychology and, together with partners, organizes an annual congress on topics that deal with the homosexual world and manner. His focus is on the theory and practice of psychology, which deals with the way of life of LGBTIQ ( lesbian , gay , bisexual , transsexual and intersexual and queer people). The activities of the association extend to lsbtiq people, the specialist public and the general public. The VLSP is regarded as a platform for exchange for practical and research-oriented colleagues in the field of lsbtiq psychology. The association sees an important task in the support and referral of clients, e.g. B. when looking for a place in psychotherapy . The website of the VLSP provides a lot of information for lsbtiq people on this and on psychological health topics. The website is HON certified as a trusted medical information website . The VLSP as a source of information for people who are looking for psychological counseling or psychotherapy in the lsbtiq area is now referred to by various organizations and initiatives across Germany. The association is involved in health policy in the form of statements and actions against so-called conversion therapies and other practices in the health care system that discriminate against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, trans / intersexual and queer people.

According to the association's homepage, the goals are:

  • Creation of a network to support all people working in psychological professions who want to deal with the issues of sexual orientation and gender diversity .
  • Promotion and development of affirmative psychological theories on sexual orientation and gender diversity in research , teaching , further training and practical therapeutic application, in contrast to the ex-gay movement and representatives of conversion therapy
  • Pointing out and combating lsbtiq-hostile tendencies in psychology and in society
  • Show presence and take a stand as a professional voice in public.
  • Promotion of a psychology that does not discriminate against any population group , but works for the benefit of all people
  • Promotion of a psychology that sees itself as a science for understanding people among one another and provides scientific and practical help.
  • Promotion of a psychology as a field of work for scientists and practitioners who respect and recognize each other and understand the differences of the other person as an enrichment of psychology.

Structure and numbers

The association has around 150 members, and the trend is rising (as of 2015).

  • Membership: Only natural persons can become members. It is assumed that they support the goals of the association and are active in the field of psychology. An academic degree in psychology or a related subject is generally required, but students in these subjects can also become members. As an alternative to studying psychology, membership is also z. B. a degree in education, social education or medicine is a common requirement.
  • General assembly: the highest body of the association is the general assembly, in which each member has one vote and which meets at least once a year. Among other things, she elects the board. The general assembly usually takes place as part of the annual meeting.
  • Board of Directors: the Board of Directors consists of three to seven people, whereby great emphasis must be placed on diverse gender representation. The term of office is two years. Statutory organs of the association are exclusively the general assembly and the board.
  • Annual meeting: an annual meeting or congress has been held almost every year since the association was founded. Various lectures, seminars or workshops from the field of lsbtiq psychology are offered here. The general assembly usually takes place in this context.
  • Regional groups: There are regional groups in Berlin , Hamburg , Stuttgart and the Ruhr area (as of 2015). The regional groups promote collegial contact on site and strengthen networking. Some of the regional groups are officially accredited by the chambers of psychotherapists as quality circles or intervision groups.
  • Working groups (AG): There are regionally independent working groups for thematic projects, e. B. Homepageredaktion, Trans-Arbeitsgruppe, AG for affirmative therapy training. Earlier working groups dealt with the development of recommendations for psychological / psychotherapeutic treatment of LSB clients. Another working group started a survey about lsbtiq-friendly psychotherapy clinics. Working groups should give members the opportunity to get involved in specific projects.

Association life

The VLSP is thematically z. E.g. diversity training, issues of transsexuals or the development of guidelines for affirmative treatment approaches (e.g. advising clients with internalized homophobia). An annual meeting of association members usually takes place in spring. In addition, the members are in contact via the homepage, mailing lists, regional and topic-specific specialist groups. This helps to strengthen the members and improves cohesion in the federal association. The association cooperates with numerous lsbtiq advice centers and professionals; an example of this is the psychological lesbian and gay counseling service Rhein-Neckar (PLUS). Via IPsyNet, a subsidiary of the American Psychological Association APA, the VLSP is in contact with American and other international specialist organizations.

history

The VLSP was founded in Munich in 1993 under the name “Association of Lesbian Psychologists in Germany”. To this day, the association has its legal seat in Munich, even if the office is in Mannheim . As the old name still used in the abbreviation suggested, the association initially only targeted gay and lesbian psychologists; the founding statute only provided for the promotion of gay and lesbian psychology as a central association goal. At the same time, the VLSP saw itself from the beginning as an association of colleagues from all specialist and work areas of psychology, even if traditionally a large part of the members were and are active in the clinical-therapeutic area. A university degree in psychology or an ongoing course of study was required as a prerequisite for membership in the first statute. A major change in the statutes was made by the general meeting in 2008. Since then, membership in the VLSP has also been possible for people from related departments who work in the field of psychology. There are now members with a medical, socio-educational or educational degree. The name of the association was changed to "Association of lesbians and gays in psychology" at the general meeting in 2009, while keeping the abbreviation. Another noteworthy change in the statutes took place in April 2015 at the general meeting in the “ Waldschlösschen ” near Göttingen . Here, the association's goal was expanded to include an lsbtiq psychology in order to address gays and lesbians as well as explicitly bisexual, transident, intersex and queer people. Since then, the full name of the association has been "Association for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer people in psychology". In 2006 the VLSP fell into an existential crisis. This was preceded by an elaborately designed congress on the subject of migration ( immigration and emigration ) and cultural diversity, which was to take place in Berlin . Since only a few people registered to participate - possibly because of insufficient public relations work - and a high financial shortfall was to be expected, the event was canceled at short notice. Nevertheless, the association had to face high costs, which resulted in a financial crisis. In addition, the then board of directors applied for the association to dissolve itself. In order to ensure the management of the business at least temporarily, a four-member interim board was elected. As a result of the crisis, the association lost almost 1/3 of its members. In the following year (2007) the members decided at the regular general meeting in Stuttgart after an emotional discussion in favor of receiving the VLSP and against the application for self-dissolution. As a significant change in the life of the association, no more congresses have been held since the crisis, but annual meetings that are financially and organizationally less expensive and focus more on the cohesion and exchange of members. Since then, the association has been able to stabilize in terms of personnel and finances. It has more members today than before the crisis.

In 2012, positions of the VLSP found their way into the NRW action plan for equality and acceptance of sexual and gender diversity - against homophobia and transphobia of the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia. In the years 2009–2014 the VLSP developed its recommendations for psychotherapy and counseling with lesbian, gay and bisexual clients. After a final vote at the 2014 general meeting, it was published in the DGVT member magazine VPP - Behavior Therapy & Psychosocial Practice, and reached around 7,000 specialist colleagues nationwide. The recommendations serve the network LSBTTIQ Baden-Württemberg as a basis for its quality standards in psychological counseling work. In 2015, the recommendations were recognized internationally by IPsyNet, a sub-organization of the American Psychological Association (APA) . The recommendations were included in their collection of Guidelines and Practice Position Statements, which are intended to support the training of psychologists with regard to sexual orientation. In 2015, the general assembly adopted a comprehensive position paper on the subject of " Pedosexuality ". Since then, the association has claimed to have been one of the few lsbtiq associations to have critically examined and positioned itself on this. In 2015 the association joined the ethics association . In Baden-Württemberg, the association works with the Association Network LSBTTIQ Baden-Württemberg.

Publications (selection)

  • Position paper on pedosexuality and sexualised violence against children and adolescents. VLSP series of publications 2015/1. doi: 10.17194 / vlsp.2015.1
  • Health and therapeutic care for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, trans * people and their families. Behavioral Therapy & Psychosocial Practice (VPP). dgvt-Verlag, 2015.
  • G. Wolf, M. Fünfgeld, R. Oehler, S. Andrae: Recommendations for psychotherapy and counseling with lesbian, gay and bisexual clients. In: Behavioral Therapy & Psychosocial Practice. dgvt-Verlag, 47, 2015, pp. 21–48.
  • U. Biechele, P. Hammelstein, T. Heinrich (Eds.): Differently crazy ?! Lesbians and Gays in Psychiatry. Pabst Science Publishers, Lengerich 2006.
  • Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Health - Research and Therapeutic Practice. In: Behavioral Therapy & Psychosocial Practice. (VPP), Issue 3, 2006. (Congress papers on the VLSP conference in Frankfurt: Specific problem areas in the therapeutic care of lesbians, gays and bisexuals )
  • K. Lemmen, J. Schepers, H. Sweers, K. Tillmann (Eds.): Sexualität where? Considerations. Insights. Views. Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe, Berlin 2005. (Congress volume for the LSP conference in Berlin: Sexuality where-to-look. Insights. Outlook. )
  • MC Steffens, M. Ise (Hrsg.): Yearbook Lesben - Schwule - Psychologie. Pabst, Lengerich 2003. (Congress volume on the VLSP conference in Hanover: Demarcation - Cooperation - Where are we going? )
  • German AIDS Help (Ed.): Advice for lesbians and gays. Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe, Berlin 2001. (Conference volume on the VLSP conference in Munich: Of course: advice and therapy with lesbians and gays )
  • German AIDS Help (Ed.): Lesbians and gays in the world of work. Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe, Berlin 1999. (Conference volume on the VLSP conference in Hamburg: Lesbians and gays in the world of work )
  • U. Biechele (Ed.): Identity formation, identity confusion, identity politics - a psychological assessment of the situation for lesbians, gays and others. Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe, Berlin 1998. (Conference volume on the VLSP conference in Mannheim: Identity formation, identity confusion, identity politics )
  • MC Steffens, M. Reipen (Ed.): Hidden and in the middle: for the (self) representation and perception of lesbians and gays in public. Profil, Munich 1997. (Congress volume for the VLSP conference in Cologne: Hidden and in the middle: For the (self) representation and perception of lesbians and gays in public )
  • M. Reipen (Ed.): Quite normal ?! Lesbian and gay everyday life between self-determination and adaptation. Profil, Munich 1996. (Conference volume on the VLSP conference in Munich: Quite normal ?! Lesbian and gay everyday life between self-determination and adaptation )
  • M. Bittner, G. Reisbeck (Ed.): Departure to other banks. Lesbian and Gay Perspectives in Psychology. Profil, Munich 1995. (Conference volume on the VLSP conference in Munich: Departure to other shores: Lesbian and gay perspectives in psychology )

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ apa.org
  2. ↑ Homosexuality: Discrimination Still Exists , January 2005.
  3. ↑ M. Göth, R. Kohn: Sexual orientation in psychotherapy and counseling. Springer, Heidelberg 2014.
  4. ↑ query messages at hon.ch
  5. ↑ Coming-out brochure (PDF file) of the network lsbttiq from November 2015.
  6. ↑ What does a consultation cost - plus-mannheim.de
  7. ↑ Overview ( Memento of the original from December 22nd, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. at the media library against racism @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.mediathek-gegen-rassismus.de
  8. ↑ Links at denktraeume.de
  9. ↑ Christival, Bremen April 30. - May 4, 2008. mission-aufklaerung.de
  10. ↑ Objectives - VLSP homepage
  11. ↑ Accession - VLSP homepage
  12. ↑ Expert meeting - VLSP homepage
  13. ^ Board of Directors - VLSP homepage
  14. ↑ Expert meeting - VLSP homepage
  15. ^ Regional groups - VLSP homepage
  16. ↑ Working groups - VLSP homepage
  17. ↑ About us - plus-mannheim.de
  18. ^ Members of apa.org
  19. ↑ a b c Welcome! Homepage of the club homepage
  20. ↑ NRW Action Plan for Equality and Acceptance of Sexual and Gender Diversity - Against Homophobia and Transphobia. ( Memento of the original from March 4, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Action plan of the state government (PDF file). Ministry for Health, Emancipation, Care and Old Age of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, 2012. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.mgepa.nrw.de
  21. ^ J. Kramer: Development of the VLSP recommendations for psychotherapy and counseling with lesbian, gay and bisexual clients. In: Behavioral Therapy & Psychosocial Practice. 47, 2015, pp. 9-19.
  22. ↑ netzwerk-lsbttiq.net  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / www.netzwerk-lsbttiq.net  
  23. ↑ Network LSBTTIQ Baden-Württemberg