National Psychology Training Consortium

Instructional Level

Intermediate — Builds upon the learner’s foundational knowledge, familiarity with the literature and/or experience in a content area. Programming at this level includes more depth than at a beginning level program. It could also serve as a refresher course for individuals who have background in a content area and are interested in learning more contemporary applications.

Course Description and Target Audience

This training is a three-part series designed to increase cultural competence in working with the LGBTQIA+ population, while challenging the provider to better understand their perspective in working with this population and to identify areas of opportunities as related to working with this population. The needs of LGBTQIA+ patients and their families are often overlooked, neglected, or minimized by providers. Often this oversight is rooted in lack of training, lack of experience, and provider comfort level. Participants who view this training will gain knowledge, skill, ability, and interest in working with the LGBTQIA+ population. Part one of this series offers opportunities to obtain the language providers need to respect and empower patients, to become an inclusive practice, and to build confidence in developing relationships necessary to nurture healing and growth. Part two of this series is dedicated to Best Practice Guidelines when working with the LGBTQIA+ population. Part three of this series is dedicated to covering population topic specific information (youth, families, senior, suicide, documentation, WPATH Standards of Care, etc.). Time will also be allotted for participant practice via vignettes and requests regarding specific information about serving people who are LGBTQIA+.

The target audience is mental health providers (advanced doctoral level psychology trainees, psychologists in practice, master’s level clinicians, etc).

Though minimal-to-no risk is expected, any potential risk would likely be the result of the information in this training uncovering participant discomfort with working with the LGBTIA+ population or as this material relates to their personal lives.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will be able to assess personal and professional awareness, knowledge, and specific skill to the LGBTQIA+ populations.
• Participants will be able to explain the importance of incorporating sexual orientation and gender identity into the professional relationship.
• Participants will be able to analyze healthcare needs and barriers to core for the LGBTQIA+ population.
• Participants will be able to identify Best Practices in creating a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ people and in treating LGBTQIA+ patients.
• Participants will be able to describe how stigma and prejudice effect the lives of the LGBTQIA+ population and list methods to create a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ patients.
• Participants will be able to demonstrate increased comfort with LGBTQIA+ language and conversation.
• Participants will be able to name leading organizations and resources to utilize when serving LGBTQIA+ people.
• Participants will be able to describe minority stress and intersectionality as it applies to LGBTQIA+ people.
• Participants will be able to provide an overview of the suicide landscape for the LGBTQIA+ population.
• Participants will be able to explain the most effective approach to reducing suicide rates among the LGBTQIA+ population.

Presenter Information