The Development and Psychotherapy through Action Association is a non-governmental organization based in Craiova. It aims to facilitate the access of any person to effective methods and techniques of personal and social development and evolution, for a better balance in relation to themselves and those around them, especially through psychological services and psychotherapeutic techniques, having as purpose to increase the quality of human life and the efficiency of social and economic activities. The Development and Psychotherapy through Action Association was established in June 2011, at the initiative of a group of 8 young people and adults from Craiova, Slatina and Severin, who are connected to specialized studies in psychology, psychotherapy and non-formal learning methods.

The members of our organization carry out a large part of their activity coming into contact with children and young people, with adults at the beginning of their career or with people eager to develop and assert themselves. The problems we encounter every time in the communities we operate in have made us take a stand and try to change something. Our activity focuses mainly on providing specialized services in the field of psychology and psychotherapy to children, young people and adults with reduced opportunities. Unfortunately, they do not have access to such benefits, although they are in great need of support in this regard.

Since 2012, our organization has been implementing youth projects, youth exchanges and mobilities of youth workers, under the Youth in Action program, and since 2014 under the Erasmus + program funded by the European Union. Through these projects we want to increase the level of personal development, psychoeducation and knowledge and skills in terms of non-formal working methods and techniques in the community.

In 2020, our volunteers built and managed the Therapeutic Garden in Craiova, a space for sensory exploration, an oasis of relaxation in nature, right in the middle of the city. The garden was divided into areas dedicated to all 5 senses, people having the opportunity to see, hear, touch, smell and taste, an experience that led them to unique emotions and feelings. The star of this garden was the therapeutic path that visitors explored barefoot, stepping on various textures created from natural materials.

Currently, between April 2021 and March 2024, we are implementing the project "The beating does not come from Heaven!" in partnership with Norsk Moreno Institutt from Norway, with the financial support of Active Citizens Fund Romania, program funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through EEA Grants 2014-2021, The aim of the project is to ensure the establishment in Predești, Dolj County of a Local center of support and civic action, which will be active in the field of protection of women`s rights, gender equality, concretely contributing to the local development of a socially involved NGO environment, and at the same time will contribute to increasing the capacity of local women, victims of gender-based violence, to manage the situations of risk they face, as a result of the positive effects of the project activities.

Between January 2022 and December 2023 we are running the project "Step by step, growing with dignity!" together with Moreno Huset AS from Norway, in partnership with the Dolj County Police Inspectorate and the Craiova Juvenile and Youth Detention Center and in collaboration with the Dolj Bar and the General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection Dolj. The project receives a grant of € 1,926,662 from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Grants 2014-2021, under the “Local Development, Poverty Reduction and Increasing Roma Inclusion” Program. The aim of the project is to promote respect for children`s rights at the national level.