Working with Transgender and Diverse Clients

Description:

Learning Objectives:

1. Differentiate between sex, gender identity, gender expression, gender role, and sexual orientation.
2. Discuss the diversity of transgender and gender nonbinary individuals.
3. Examine personal bias and perceptions of sex and gender to provide affirming care.
4. Describe gender affirming care for adults.
5. Discuss sexual orientation and gender identity
6. Discuss discrimination, bias, and minority stress.
7. Describe WPATH SOC 7 and DSM-5.
8. Define cultural competency and humility.

Activity Outline:

1)             Introduction & Overview (10 minutes)

• Arlene Lev, LCSW, CASAC, CST
• Acey Mercer, LMSW
• Learning Objectives

2)             Definitions (30 minutes)

• Sex, Gender, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, Gender Roles
• Challenging assumptions of masculinity and femininity
• Transgender, Transsexual, Cisgender, Cissexism, Gender Diverse, Nonbinary, Sexual orientation

3)             Affirmative Clinical Treatment (65 minutes)

• What clients are looking for and often find
• Gatekeeping
• Clients seeking services
• Evaluating gender dysphoria
• Issues facing families

4)             Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (45 minutes)

• Transgender Emergence model
• Overlap of sexual orientation and gender identity
• Shifting identities
• Relational and intimacy concerns

5)             Discrimination & Bias (45 minutes)

• National Transgender Discrimination Survey
• Barriers to care
• Cultivating an affirming atmosphere
• Goals for treatment
• Role of the provider
• Collecting client history
• Family & Advocacy
• Gender Assessment Tools

Speaker Bios:

Arlene is a social worker, family therapist, educator, and activist who has been serving the LGBTQ community for over 30 years. She is the Founder and Clinical Director of Choices Counseling and Consulting (www.choicesconsulting.com) and TIGRIS: The Training Institute for Gender, Relationships, Identity, and Sexuality (www.tigrisinstitute.com) in Albany, New York. She is a Credentialed Alcoholism Counselor and a Certified Sex Therapist (ASSECT).

Arlene is a lecturer at the University at Albany, School of Social Welfare and the Founder and Board President for Rainbow Access Initiative, Inc., which provides low-cost therapy to LGBTQ individuals. She has authored numerous journal articles and three books: The Complete Lesbian and Gay Parenting Guide, Transgender Emergence: Therapeutic Guidelines for Working with Gender-Variant People and their Families, and the forthcoming Families in Transition: Parent Perspectives on Raising Gender Diverse Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults (with Andrew Gottlieb, Ed).

Acey identifies as a trans man and uses he/him/his gender pronouns. He is a graduate of the University at Albany School of Social Welfare, where he obtained his Master’s in Social Work. Prior to graduate school Acey studied at Radboud Universiteit in the Netherlands where his academic focus was in Gender and Sexuality Studies. Acey is currently Practice Manager and a therapist at Choices Counseling & Consulting in Albany, NY. He primarily works with adults, youth, and their families as they navigate questions and challenges related to the emotional, social, legal and medical aspects of gender transition. Acey’s clinical lens gives a strong compliment to the professional education services he delivers as Senior Consultant of the Training Institute for Gender, Relationships, Identity, and Sexuality (TIGRIS). Acey specializes in providing clinical training, curriculum, and policy development as it relates to best serving transgender and nonbinary populations in medical, mental health and educational institutions. Acey is also a lecturer at the University at Albany, Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology. Lastly, he is on the Board of Directors for Rainbow Access Initiative, Inc., which provides low-cost therapy and case management services to LGBTQ+ individuals. Acey can be reached at acey@choicesconsulting.com