Presented by Gretchen Ann Cooper, LMFT
Includes 2 CE credits
Please bring a piece of paper and pencil for an exercise on education regarding the gender binary.
About the Workshop
The workshop will be an introductory course on gender-affirming care. There will be an introduction and positionality statement followed by a ten minute activity about challenging one's own unconscious biases when serving the LGBTQ+ community.
Clinicians will learn how providers can initiate this life-saving care with their own clients through specific examples of language usage and education. Participants will gain an understanding of the do’s and don’ts regarding transgender/non-binary etiquette and terminology. Therapists will learn at least twenty different pronouns and how to use them appropriately when talking with our clients. Clinicians will learn how to change their own binary language in order to be more inclusive Therapists can engage in at least two breakout rooms/groups for smaller discussions with question prompts. These groups will assist them in uncovering their own unconscious biases to be more effective as clinicians. Therapists will gain insight on how to talk with their clients about their bodies and what specifically are safe questions to ask. This workshop will teach best clinical practices with clients and cite specific interventions to provide quality care. Finally the training will review specific interventions that are most effective within this community. The training will end with legal and ethical considerations, such as tips on navigating the referral process for medical support.
Educational goals
Participants will learn the basics of the gender binary and transgender etiquette do’s and don’ts in the treatment room. Clinicians will gain insight into their own implicit biases and learn how to communicate effectively with correct terminology and how to speak in a way that does not adhere to the typical binary school of thinking. Finally, participants will be able to utilize specific interventions that have been known to be effective when working within the LGBTQ+ community.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Identify three legal and ethical considerations regarding referrals for gender affirming care.
- Understanding the concept of the gender-binary and evolution of the gender spectrum and be able to list at least three gender inclusive terms.
- Navigate transgender etiquette and understand pronoun usage with five specific examples.
- Apply at least three gender affirming interventions in their own practice.
About the Presenter
Gretchen Anne Cooper graduated with her BA in Philosophy from the University of La Verne and received her MA in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute (PGI) in Los Angeles. She is currently in private practice in California and adjunct faculty at PGI. She worked in community mental health for several years before transitioning to her private practice in 2021, full time. During her time in the county, Gretchen acquired a passion for serving individuals from a multitude of backgrounds. It was there that she developed a passion for working with LGBTQIA+ youth. Gretchen specializes in working with adults, LGBTQ+, adolescents, the unhoused and children. Gretchen is published in CAMFT’S The Therapist magazine on Gender Affirming Care in their November/December 2022 issue. She also published an article about supporting LGBTQ+ adolescents in Family Therapy Magazine in July 2023. She is a published poet in SAGE magazine and published her thesis on Animal Assisted therapy with Children on the Autism Spectrum. Gretchen enjoys surfing and spending time outdoors and performing hula with her halau. Her sister is transgender and Gretchen, herself, is also a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Gretchen is currently on track to becoming an AAMFT supervisor.
Presentation Outline
- How providers can become allies for the LGbtQ+ community by providing gender-affirming care
- Why are some people Transgender?
- Reviewing Transgender etiquette
- Gender vocabulary review (Ex. Gender binary, cisgender, gender variant, non-binary, passing, AFAB/AMAB) etc.
- What does “coming out” mean for our clients?
- BREAK 10 MINUTES
- Best Clinical Practice
- Working with Trans kids/teens
- Clinical interventions
References
Chang, S., Singht, A, Dickey, L., (2018) A Clinician’s Guide to Gender-Affirming Care Context Press.
Forsythe Al, Pick, C., Tremblay, G., Malaviya, S., Green, A., Sandman, K., Humanistic and Economic Burden of Conversion Therapy Among LBGTQ Youths in the United States. JAMA Pediatrics. 2022;176(5):493-501. Doi: doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.0042
Green, A. Dorison, S. (2020) Understanding the Mental Health of Transgender and Nonbinary Youth. DOI :https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.11.31
Singh, A. (2018) The queer and transgender resilience workbook: Skills for Navigating Sexual Orientation and gender expression. New Harbinger Publications, INC.
Stryker, S. (2017) Transgender history the roots of today’s revolution. Revised Edition. Seal Press. The Guardian, Gender Dictionary, The SAfezone Project (2015), 2016 LGbTQ Equality VCP
Osserman, J., and Wallerstein, H. (2022). Transgender children: From controversy to dialogue. The psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 75(1), 159-172.
Yogman, M. Baum, R., Gambon, T., Lavin, A et al. (2018) 142 (4): Ensuring Comprehensive Care and Support for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children and Adolescents American Academy of Pediatrics.
thetrevorproject.org/survey-2022
This course meets the qualifications for 2 hours of continuing education law and ethics credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. The Sacramento Valley Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (SVC-CAMFT), provider #62279, is approved by CAMFT to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs. SVC-CAMFT maintains the responsibility for the program and all its content.
CE credit will be awarded via email after the completion of the course in exchange for a course evaluation. No CE credits will be awarded to persons not attending the presentation in it's entirety. Partial CE credit will not be awarded. This program will benefit LMFT, LPCC, LEP and LCSW licensees and pre-licensees.
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