The Trauma of Growing Up LGBTQ(2 CE Hours)Presenter:Joe Kort, Ph.D.

Description:

It’s not enough to be LGBTQ -friendly. Even the best intentioned therapists have some level of homophobia to overcome. From birth, heterosexist culture imprints us to think that heterosexuality is primary, and that any other orientation is inferior.

It’s not even enough to be gay yourself. LGBTQ or straight, we’re taught the homo-negative belief that the “alternative lifestyle” of being LGBTQ is a more difficult way to live. But the “alternative” of living heterosexually is actually harder for LGBTQ, and can lead to depression and self-defeating, or even self-destructive behaviors.

Growing up LGBTQ can be traumatic. Covert cultural sexual abuse is the foundation for many (if not most) problems for LGBTQ individuals. Covert cultural sexual abuse is chronic verbal, emotional, psychological, and sometimes sexual assaults against an individual’s gender expression, sexual feelings, and behaviors. Conceptually, it is similar to sexual harassment in that it interferes with a person’s ability to function socially, psychologically, romantically, affectionally, and sexually. Its effects persist into adulthood and wreak havoc in people’s lives—as does sexual harassment. The dynamics of being a LGBTQ child are similar children growing sexually abused.

Learning objectives:

• Assess gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning clients for psychological trauma to assist in informing treatments interventions
• Describe mental health disorders that mimic the effects of the trauma from growing up LGBTQ
• Utilize at least 2 specific clinical interventions and assessment tools to more effectively treat LGBTQ clients

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Joe Kort is a licensed sex and relationship therapist. He specializes in sex therapy, LGBTQ issues and Imago Relationship Therapy. He is the author of four books: 10 Smart Things Gay Men Can Do To Improve Their Lives: Revised and Updated, 10 Smart Things Gay Men Can Do To Find Real Love, LGBTQ Clients in Therapy: Clinical Issues and Treatment Strategies, and Is My Husband Gay, Straight, or Bi?: A Guide for Women Concerned about Their Men. A regular blogger for Psychology Today and The Huffington Post, he’s founder and director of the Center for Relationship and Sexual Health in Royal Oak, Michigan. Dr. Kort is also in partnership with Modern Sex Therapy Institute offering an LGBTQIA Affirmative Certification for helping professionals working with this population.