Description

Description: The goal of this workshop is to provide a firm grounding in concepts related to gender and sexually diverse identities with a focus on transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, as well as a deep dive into the nuances of affirming treatment. Utilizing concepts of Queer Theory, which emphasizes spectrums, fluidity, flexibility, and self-efficacy in identity formation, the participants will develop a framework for understanding gender and sexually diverse clients in more expansive ways.

This workshop will focus on developing a thorough understanding of language, pronouns, and concepts related to gender and sexual diversity in order to create an affirming and safe space for clients from the first interaction. Participants will explore the impact of multiple oppressed identities, our own privilege and bias, as well as develop skills for supporting clients through decisions about coming out and medical interventions. Come to this workshop ready to engage around complex, fluid, and sometimes paradoxical, aspects of identity and sexuality.

Participants will walk away feeling more confident using up-to-date language and pronouns, have a new understand of the LGBTQ population outside of a cisgender, gay male frame, and develop empathy and practical tools for providing affirming care to gender and sexually diverse clients.

Learning Objectives:

Activity Schedule:

9-9:30-Get settled, Intros, Ice Breaker

9:30-12-Language and Gender Spectrum

12-1-Lunch

1-2:30-Intersectional Identities, Privilege, and Bias

2:30-3:30- Coming Out

3:30-3:45-Break

3:45-4:30- Decisions and Coping around HRT and Surgery

4:30-5- Forms, Procedures, Atmosphere, Support Staff

5-5:30-Next steps in Learning

5:30-6-Wrap up, Questions, Evaluations

Speaker Bio:

Rae McDaniel, MEd, LCPC, CST (they/them) is a Licensed Therapist, Certified Sex Therapist, soon-to-be published author, and a Transgender Diversity and Inclusion Specialist, coach, educator and entrepreneur. Their specialty is helping transgender and non-binary people navigate transition, sex, gender, sexual identity and relationships with resiliency, curiosity and pleasure. Rae believes that gender freedom is an essential part of collective liberation and transformation and is here to paint a vision for how gender exploration and transition can be celebrated both individually and systemically by transgender and cisgender folks alike. Rae is the founder and CEO of Practical Audacity: Gender & Sex Therapy in Chicago, a group private therapy practice focused on the queer community. They also offer a group coaching program, GenderFck, for clients outside the state of Illinois, a one-of-a-kind, research-based online coaching community of transgender/non-binary/questioning folks who are on a mission to transition with less suffering, more ease, and (dare we even say it!) pleasure. Rae is the creator of the Gender Freedom Model (to be published in an academic journal this fall), a model for key mindsets and practical skills to support trans/non-binary folks throughout gender transition. Their credentials – both academic and professional, have led to a variety of speaking engagements and opportunities to facilitate and lead workshops on transgender equality and inclusion in corporate settings, for medical and mental health professionals, and within community groups. Rae holds a Master of Education in Community Counseling from DePaul University in Chicago and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois. Rae graduated from the University of Michigan’s Sexual Health Certificate Program with specializations in Sex Therapy and Sexuality Education and is a Certified Sex Therapist through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists.