Understanding & Supporting LGBTQIA+ Youth’s Mental Health in Primary Care

A two hour interactive webinar for healthcare workers (clinicians, nurses, MAs, receptionists, administrators). Participants review core frameworks and principles for providing affirming and inclusive care to LGBTQIA+ youth and are guided through three patient cases to address: mental health crises for transgender and non-binary patients, asking about sexual orientation and attraction, building parental support, asking about trauma, and making effective referrals for LGBTQIA+ youth to mental health providers.

The ethics of doing good: A reflection of social identity, values, and bias

This 90-minute workshop participants reflect on their experiences, values, and identity in an effort to understand how those impact their work with LGBTQ+ clients. Participants review social justice principles, cultural humility, and professional code of ethics (NASW & APA) to engage in dialogue about the connection between one’s values and providing mental health services.

The intersection of trans-affirming mental healthcare & treatment planning

This 90-minute workshop for mental health care providers explores the history of gender in mental healthcare, how to co-create goals and objectives with transgender and non-binary clients, as well as determine which interventions to use.

Gender identity & letter writing: Therapist roles & tasks

This 90-minute workshop for mental health care providers covers the history of gender related diagnoses and the power held by therapists in writing (or not writing) letters that grant clients access to gender affirming medical services. Therapists are provided practical information about standards of assessment, making referrals, and how to write a referral letter.

Ethical considerations in working with LGBTQIA+ clients

This 90-minute workshop introduces participants to a social justice oriented ethical decision making model, described APA & NASW professional standards for working with LGBTQ+ clients, reviews the APA & NASW code of ethics, and explores ethical dilemmas important for mental health providers to consider when working with LGBTQ+ Clients.

Client-centered assessment & management of suicidality w/ LGBTQIA+ clients

LGBTQIA+ people experience higher rates of suicidality and are also some of the most underserved by our mental health care system. In order to increase access to needed care, this 90-minute workshop provides participants with an overview of the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) model, and guides participants in considering integration of this approach to their current practice. Topics included specific considerations and resources for managing suicidality with LGBTQIA+ clients and managing suicidality via telehealth.

Mental healthcare needs of transgender & non-binary youth

This 90-minute workshop for mental health care providers focuses on unique considerations when working with transgender and non-binary youth clients, underscoring the need for understanding of the diversity of gender experiences. Facilitators help providers situate themselves within their multifaceted role as a mental healthcare provider to these communities.

Building parental support for youth’s gender identity & sexuality

This 90-minute workshop for mental health care providers explores how clinicians can effectively partner with parents to build support for a youth’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Evidence based interventions and case discussion are explored.

Putting it all together: Case conceptualization skill building

This 90-minute workshop for mental health care providers addresses the purpose of case conceptualizations and the value in developing a thorough, culturally responsive case conceptualization that synthesizes an individual and/or family’s challenges and strengths. Participants conceptualize two cases of LGBTQ youth, and learn how to use the case conceptualization to guide therapeutic interventions.

Gender across the lifespan

Participants will learn how individuals experience gender across the lifespan, from early childhood to older adulthood. There will be a discussion of challenges associated with identifying with a gender that differs from one’s sex throughout different life phases, and how mental health clinicians can best support individuals with diverse gender identities throughout their lives.

Affirming assessment with LGBTQIA+ clients

In this 90-minute workshop for mental health care providers, we cover practical strategies for assessing the mental health needs of LGBTQIA+ adolescents, including: taking a history; creating an authentic therapeutic space; assessing suicidality, trauma, and resilience; and when and how to ask about identity.

Client-centered assessment & management of suicidality w/ LGBTQIA+ clients

LGBTQIA+ people experience higher rates of suicidality and are also some of the most underserved by our mental health care system. In order to increase access to needed care, this 90-minute workshop provides participants with an overview of the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) model, and guides participants in considering integration of this approach to their current practice. Topics included specific considerations and resources for managing suicidality with LGBTQIA+ clients and managing suicidality via telehealth.

Exploring the therapeutic relevance of ethical non-monogamy and kink

During this 90-minute workshop for mental health care providers, we build an understanding of relationship dynamics relevant to LGBTQIA+ communities including ethical non-monogamy (polyamory, consensual non-monogamy), consent, and kink, as well as apply Attachment Theory, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to participants’ practice with clients engaging in ENM and kink.

Understanding the mental healthcare needs of transgender and non-binary youth

march 4, 2021

During this 90-minute panel discussion, participants heard from Gel Henry (they/them) of CHAI’s Action Committee, Kalaan Scott (he/him) of Nuii Waav Brotherhood, Jack Alferio (he/him) of CHAI’s Action Committee and UNIFIED, and LaVelle Ridley (she/her) of the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Panelists shared their experiences with medical and mental healthcare and gave providers advice on affirming trans and non-binary clients.

Guiding frameworks for understanding & caring for LGBTQIA+ youth

january 29, 2021

This 90-minute workshop participants explored five guiding frameworks that can be applied to understanding the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ youth, including Socio-ecological Model/Systems Theory, Cultural Humility, Intersectionality, Resilience, and Minority Stress Model. Participants explored various ways in which these frameworks can be used to develop and implement therapeutic approaches to working with LGBTQIA+ youth that are affirming and supportive. This session was facilitated by Gary W. Harper, PhD, MPH—a Professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, a member of the Michigan Board of Psychology, and a clinical psychologist.