National Psychology Training Consortium

Course Description and Target Audience

This presentation focuses not on a provider's knowledge about different queer/LGBTQIA2S+ experiences, but addressing matters regarding the interpersonal and procedural elements that offer this specialized population feelings of support and safety in the therapeutic relationship. Theoretical knowledge, such as understanding intersectionality, multiple minority stress, microaggressions and microaffirmations, educational burden, and provider authenticity and congruence are explored and given practical applications for use with LGBTQIA2s+ clients throughout the therapeutic process.  

Practical tools and dialogue options offer multiple avenues in which providers can overcome initial worries regarding working with this population to enter meaningful conversations to improve the therapeutic relationship and overall effectiveness and quality of care. Activities provided aid clinicians in recognizing how their own internal factors, such as biases, multicultural orientation, and awareness of the impacts of intersecting identities provides in-vivo awareness and professional growth regarding cultural differences. Case examples are offered to apply and reflect upon knowledge regarding the LGBTQIA2S+ community, as well as a detailed list of resources to offer further learning in specific queer identities. This presentation is targeted towards mental health professionals who have a moderate level of awareness regarding the LGBTQIA2S+ community, but experience difficulties with translating that knowledge into practice with clients.

This presentation is based in empirical evidence and theoretical models regarding the impacts of phenomenon such as microaggressions, conversion therapy, and the usage of tools such as discussing confidentiality concerns with LGBTQIA2S+ clients, and so on. However, there are many aspects of the presentation where the information garnered is from personal experience working with the queer community. The information provided has utility for working with any LGBTQIA2S+ client, as the themes presented apply to being able to create relationships with and meaningfully support clients from this population. 

Many of the materials and cases presented are anecdotal in nature due to the limited amount of research regarding the LGBTQIA2S+ experience in mental health therapy. However, many empirical research articles are used to support the knowledge offered in this presentation. Additionally, a limitation of this presentation in its current iteration is that it does not cover specific topics such as coming out, accessing gender-affirming healthcare, and so on. Risks related to this training mainly pertain to feelings of discomfort due to exercises primarily relating to self-reflection and identifying personal biases.

This presentation engages the audience in discussing the LGBTQIA2s+ experience, as well as intersections of race, religion, age, and others. This presentation is meant to address any learner regardless of their background.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will be able to identify client factors that impact their ability to fully engage in treatment, such as intersectionality, previous experiences, and perceptions of therapy.
• Participants will be able to identify areas of personal biases around the LGBTQIA2S+ community and how they arise in the clinical space.
• Participants will be able to identify tools and other avenues to notice and modify internal biases that negatively impact their ability to provide quality of care.
• Participants will be able to identify and utilize tools to address any concerns within the therapeutic relationship with LGBTQIA2S+ clients.
• Participants will be able to identify and implement affirmative practices at each stage of the therapeutic process.

Presenter Information

Having graduated from Eastern Illinois University’s clinical mental health counseling program in 2022, Bridge now practices therapy out of Springfield, MO under their own practice, Bridging the Gap Counseling, LLC. Bridge specializes in working with adult queer clients who need extra help navigating issues such as trauma, anxiety, self-compassion, and exploring identity. With tools such as ACT, EMDR, gender-affirming care, and others, Bridge helps queer clients go from a place of feeling shame about their life story to embracing it and learning how to sculpt their own life’s narrative. Services Bridge offers includes individual counseling, free gender affirming surgery letters, EMDR, and is polyamorous and kink-affirmative.

Video Homestudy Format

CE’s for this homestudy training will be earned through completing the following tasks:

• Watch the presentation video and review all provided documents in their entirety.
• Pass the post-test questionnaire with at least 80% correct.

A program evaluation form will be provided to all who registered following the training. Please be sure to complete this form since your feedback helps direct future CE programming from our organization.

Registration Cost

This cost includes video links, materials, and tests required to obtain CE’s. Your CE certificate will be made available to you upon successful completion of the training (80% or higher on exam).

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Training Support - Ember Serencko at [email protected].

National Psychology Training Consortium (NPTC) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. NPTC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.