Course Level: Beginner

1-CE Available

This course aims to enhance access to affirming care for the LGBTQ+ community. It introduces relevant terms, labels, and identities, to equip the unfamiliar clinician with the knowledge needed to begin educating themselves on serving this population.

Participants will gain insights into their current level of knowledge and how to get on a path of continuous learning and specialization in working with LGBTQ+ individuals through an intersectional and trauma-informed lens.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to distinguish the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity. 

• Participants will be able define identities in the LGBTQ+ acronym.

• Participants will be able to explain the differences between friendly, affirming, and knowledgeable care.

• Participants will be able to identify what growth and learning zone they are in with regard to serving the LGBTQ+ population. 

Course Level: Beginner

1-CE Available

The percentage of U.S. adults identifying as non-cis-heterosexual rose to 7.1% in 2022, reaching 17% among those under 30 (Jones, 2023; Pew Research, 2023). There are unique mental health risks this population faces due to discrimination and societal inequity (Kates et al., 2018). Recognizing this, the National Institute for Mental Health has called for targeted training programs. This course addresses these unique needs, providing participants with an understanding of intersectionality, tools for creating an egalitarian therapeutic environment, and strategies for identifying and addressing implicit bias in working with this marginalized population.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to define intersectionality 

• Participants will be able to identify their social location and explain the importance of the practice to clients

• Participants will be able to define what an egalitarian therapy room is and why it’s important

• Participants will be able to utilize the ‘Implicit Bias Checklist’ for LGBTQ+ communities to assess the safety of their own practice.

Course Level: Intermediate

1-CE Available

Therapy for LGBTQ+ individuals requires an understanding of unique stressors and mental health needs, due to societal inequality and discrimination. This population has been designated as a health disparity group, necessitating more focus from health programs. Effective care involves understanding minority stress, barriers to care, and the diverse experiences within the community. This course equips practitioners to cater to these needs, fostering an understanding of intersectionality, and emphasizes the importance of visibility, advocacy, and allyship.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the unique risks and barriers to accessing care for LGBTQ+ identified individuals.

• Explain how intersectionality and social location affect conceptualizations of LGBTQ+ clients.

• Identify points of comprehension necessary to serve subgroups of the LGBTQ+ population.

• Assess continuing education sources to determine whether they are from affirming and knowledgeable sources.

• Explain the importance of visibility, allyship, and advocacy in specializing in LGBTQ+ mental health care.