This training will provide clarity and guidance for how to best support and serve gender-diverse clients. You will learn the differences between transgender and non-binary identities, as well as how to incorporate language that welcomes these clients to your clinical practice. We will explore common issues that impact gender-diverse clients, including coming out to family and employers. You will also learn how to write referral letters for transgender and non-binary clients who are seeking medical treatment for their gender dysphoria. Please note, this workshop will only focus on adults; there is a separate workshop that focuses on gender-diverse children and adolescents.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Identify the differences between transgender and non-binary identities
- Understand how to provide an affirming therapeutic environment for gender-diverse clients
- Utilize inclusive language when serving gender-diverse clients
- Implement strategies for providing respectful care to gender-diverse clients
Syllabus:
Objective #1: Foundations of Gender Identity and Language
- Distinguish between gender identity, gender expression, sex assigned at birth, and sexual orientation
- Understand the gender binary and the spectrum beyond it
- Define key terms: transgender, non-binary, cisgender, genderqueer, genderfluid, enby
- Explore journal prompts on personal gender awareness and social conditioning
Objective #2: Creating Affirming Therapeutic Environments
- Importance of inclusive language and terminology
- The impact of cisgender privilege on care delivery
- Historical context: evolution of gender-related diagnoses in the DSM
- Clarify the concept of gender dysphoria as distress, not disorder
Objective #3: Affirmative Clinical Practice
- Components of a respectful and safe environment: paperwork, pronouns, physical space
- Paperwork language: allowing open identification of gender and pronouns
- Training staff and modifying intake forms for inclusivity
- Building client rapport through respectful engagement and validation
Objective #4: Understanding Transitioning
- Types of transition: social, medical, and legal
- Overview of medical options for masculinization and feminization
- Navigating legal name and gender marker changes
- Discuss implications of cost, access, and state-dependent procedures
Objective #5: Psychological Considerations in Gender-Affirming Care
- Statistics on suicidality and mental health in transgender populations
- Grief and mourning among families and loved ones
- Navigating coming out across different social settings
- Strengths and resilience among gender-diverse individuals
Objective #6: Addressing Institutional and Systemic Barriers
- Common institutional barriers: insurance, housing, transportation, provider competence
- The Minority Stress Model and its relevance in clinical practice
- Intersections of race, gender identity, and systemic oppression
- Impact of religious trauma and prior conversion therapy
Objective #7: Writing Gender-Affirming Referral Letters
- Role of the clinician in gender evaluations and assessments
- Components required by WPATH and insurers
- Guidelines for letter content: identity history, social presentation, readiness, support
- Example consultation questions to guide letter writing
Objective #8: Transference, Countertransference, and Clinical Pitfalls
- Navigating client mistrust due to previous negative experiences
- Recognizing clinician biases and emotional responses
- Avoiding pitfalls such as educational burdening and gatekeeping
- Cultivating cultural humility and self-awareness
Objective #9: Supporting Client Transition Logistics
- Familiarity with local and national resources
- Activities to help clinicians research regional support systems
- Encouraging client empowerment and informed decision-making
- Promoting community connection and external support
Objective #10: Ethical and Empathic Engagement
- Centering client autonomy and identity without overidentification
- Respecting the diversity of gender expressions and experiences
- Celebrating client strengths: courage, authenticity, resilience
- Closing message: the clinician’s role in affirming human dignity
Social workers completing this course receive 3 General Skill Building asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 General Skill Building continuing education training.
Instructor: Dreya Blume, LCSW
Recording Date: March 11, 2024
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3hrs General continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device.
Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com