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Bonnie Miller meets with Vera Bebo who was displaced from the village of Achabeti. (Photo by Ana Kurdgelashvili.)

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Bonnie Miller meets with Vera Bebo who was displaced from the village of Achabeti. (Photo by Ana Kurdgelashvili.)

U.S. Social Worker Bonnie Miller Visits Georgia

October 7, 2008

During September 28-October 4, 2008  Ms. Bonnie Miller, a Licensed U.S. Social Worker and Professor of Psychology and Social Work, visited Georgia to carry out training of over 150 Georgian social workers and psychologists working on crisis intervention with victims of the August 2008 Georgia-Russia conflict.

Ms. Miller visited IDP shelters in Tbilisi, met with officials of the Ministry of Education and Science and Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs to evaluate the situation. 

The program was organized by the U.S. Embassy.  Ms. Miller’s one week training program on crisis intervention was hosted by the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University and covered topics such as:  introduction to crisis intervention, intervention of children in crisis, help for the helpers, solution focused model of helping, and stress management.

The program has empowered over 150 social workers and psychologists who deliver psycho-social rehabilitation to the IDPs and victims of the Georgia-Russia conflict. “It was encouraging and enlightening to visit IDP shelters and learn of the many strengths these adults and children possess, despite the problems in their living conditions and the uncertainty they face in their future.  It was inspiring to see how whole communities are working together to help each other during this crisis. The talented and creative group of social workers and psychologists showed me the dedication of these helpers in providing psycho-social services to IDPs. The hospitality and vibrancy of the Georgian people made my work here a real pleasure!”