1. Sign up securely online.
2. Read the articles via online links.
3. Submit online evaluation & post-test.
4. Print your certificate.
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GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is an introductory course designed to educate the clinician about the diversity of sexual and gender orientation and to familiarize the clinician with the appropriate terminology when working with LGBT clients. Participants in this course will learn how stigmatization associated with a non-heterosexual sexual orientation can negatively affect the mental health and well being of lesbian, gay and bisexual clients. In this course participants will become well versed in the fifteen APA guidelines for conducting therapy with LGB clients. Participants in this course will learn about same-sex relationships, relationships and aspects of family structure and the unique challenges LGBT families face. Additionally, participants will learn about the challenges in life cycle development that an LGBT person faces with regard to adolescence, coupling, family development, generativity and aging. Finally, this course will provide a brief historical overview of how homosexuality, bisexuality and gender identity have been perceived in the mental health community and in current practice.
Educational Objectives:
This course will teach psychotherapists to
Utilize the appropriate LGBT Terminology and identify the scale of sexual orientation.
Discuss the historical view and treatment of LGBT individuals by mental health professionals and the resulting residual impact.
Identify problematic treatment modalities of LGBT individuals.
Explain the psychological effects of stigmatization on the mental health of LGBT individuals as well as the at-risk concerns.
Discuss examples of discrimination that LGBT people experience.
Describe the unique challenges that same-sex couples and LGBT families face.
Explain the challenges that LGBT youth and seniors face.
Discuss the impact of multiple minority status for LGBT individuals with regard to race and ability.
Identify the impact of discrimination and second-class citizenship along with the effects on the life cycle development of LGBT individuals.
Course Syllabus:
I. LGBT Terminology
II. Defining Sexual Orientation
III. Homosexuality in History
IV. Stigma and the effects on Mental Health of LGBT people
V. Real Life Discrimination
VI. APA Guidelines
VII. Life Cycle Challenges
A. Coming Out Process and Sexual Identity Formation (Vivienne Cass)
B. Safe Schools and Adolescents
C. Substance Abuse and Suicide
D. Same-sex Relationships, Marriages and Families
E. LGBT Seniors
VIII. LGBT - History and Movement
IX. Current LGBT Struggles
Participants in this course will learn how stigmatization associated with a non-heterosexual sexual orientation can negatively affect the mental health and well being of lesbian, gay and bisexual clients. In this course participants will become well versed in the fifteen APA guidelines for conducting therapy with LGB clients. Participants in this course will learn about same-sex relationships, relationships and aspects of family structure and the unique challenges LGBT families face. Additionally, participants will learn about the challenges in life cycle development that an LGBT person faces with regard to adolescence, coupling, family development, generativity and aging. Finally, this course will provide a brief historical overview of how homosexuality, bisexuality and gender identity have been perceived in the mental health community and in current practice.
