As clinicians, we know that the mental health and overall well-being of LGBTQIA+ youth are profoundly impacted by the level of support they receive from their families. Research consistently demonstrates that family acceptance significantly improves outcomes for LGBTQIA+ youth, leading to higher self-esteem, better academic performance, and increased resilience against mental health issues.

Unfortunately, these youth often face social stigma, discrimination, and isolation, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and other behavioral health issues.

As clinicians, we have a unique opportunity—and responsibility—to bridge the gap between families and their LGBTQIA+ children, empowering them to create a supportive and accepting home environment where queer youth can be themselves without fear of rejection or judgment.

In this comprehensive, in-depth training course, renowned behavioral health expert and DEI consultant Chris McLaughlin will delve deep into the complexities of family dynamics, cultural considerations, and evidence-based therapeutic approaches to effectively support families of LGBTQIA+ youth. Participants will explore effective strategies for promoting open communication, strengthening family bonds, and fostering empathy and understanding in family systems. They will learn practical skills for breaking down stereotypes, addressing minority stress, internalized homophobia/transphobia, and reducing prejudice and discrimination.

By the end of this training, participants will be equipped to create a safe and affirming therapeutic environment, help families navigate their own biases, and support LGBTQIA+ youth in building resilience, self-acceptance, and healthy relationships.

Whether you are just starting your journey in LGBTQIA+ affirmative care or seeking to enhance your existing skill set, this course will provide you with the best practice tools, tips, and techniques to help you become more intentional in supporting families in caring for their LGBTQIA+ child.

Register today and take the first step toward enhancing your clinical practice.

This course provides 2.5+ hours of video training, a post-test and an evaluation.

This course was recorded September 1, 2023.

Upon completion of this training, professionals will be able to do the following:

1. Define terms associated with LGBTQIA+ youth
2. Review several key concepts related to LGBTQIA+ youth 
3. Introduce a model of coming out for LGBTQIA+ youth
4. Bring awareness of the risk factors associated with LGBTQIA+ youth
5. Outline best practice clinical approaches for the behavior health treatment of LGBTQIA+ youth
6. Educate on concepts of Pronouns/Dead Names
7. Review concepts of Trauma-Informed Care and Grief and Loss theories
8. Provide overview of family rejection vs. family acceptance
9. Apply Trauma-Focused CBT principals in clinical work with families of LGBTQIA+ youth
10. Introduce strategies to enhance family acceptance 
11. Describe ethical issues that might arise when working with LGBTQIA+ youth and families

Christopher McLaughlin, MSW, LCSW

Chris McLaughlin, MSW, LCSW, (he/him/his), is the Executive Director of the Maine Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and owner of Inspired Consulting Group, LLC. He obtained his BA in Psychology and his MSW from the University of Maine. Chris has spent more than 20+ years as a provider and a leader in behavioral health services for youth and families across a variety of clinical settings. Chris is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maine and Husson University in Bangor.

Additionally, Chris served for four years on the Maine Board of Social Work Licensing and is a member of both the NASW and the Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care (SSWLHC), where he is the current Maine Chapter President, and he is a member of the National Board. Chris holds additional certifications from Cornell University. Nationally, he was SSWLHC’s 2019 recipient of the Eleanor Clark Award and was named Health Care Social Worker of the Year in 2019 by the Maine Hospital Association and the Maine Chapter of the SSWLHC. In 2020, Chris was awarded the Alumni of the Year distinction from the University of Maine School of Social Work.

For organizations seeking further guidance on LGBTQ+ issues, Chris offers a consultation service to walk organizations through essential competencies that move them closer toward being LGBTQ+ affirming providers. You can learn more about Chris’ professional background and interests here.

Credit Hours: CEs provided with this course include 2.5 continuing education hours of credit.

Counselors: Telehealth Certification Institute LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6693. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors #MHC-0048.

Marriage and Family Therapists: Many MFT licensing boards accept our courses or one of the approvals which we have from professional associations. You can check with your board to determine if this course would be accepted by your licensing board.

Social Workers: Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, #1609, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 05/02/2024 – 05/02/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 2.5 clinical continuing education credits.

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Social Workers #SW-0435.

Addiction Professionals: This course has been approved by Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits, effective 2/20/2024. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programing.

Psychologists: Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0128.

Art Therapists: Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists #CAT-0093.

Other Professionals: This activity qualifies for 150 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations.  Retain your certificate of completion and contact your board or organization for specific filing requirements.

This is a non-interactive, self-study course.

To receive your certificate of completion you must complete the course in its entirety.

Online courses are completed by registering, logging in, navigating to your course using the menu (My Courses – the Course Title), completing all of the modules, completing and passing the post-test, and completing the course evaluation. Participants have 6 months from registration to access and complete online self-study courses.

Live Webinar courses are completed by registering, logging in to this website, navigating to your course using the menu (My Courses – the Course Title), attending the full course via webinar, submitting your attendance, and completing the post-test and course evaluation online.

Psychologists and other professionals seeking CE credit through our approval with the American Psychological Association are asked, but not required, to complete the course evaluation before obtaining their certificate of completion, however passing a post-test for online self-study courses and live webinars, and submitting one's attendance for live on-site and live webinars is required.

You can receive your certificate of completion by logging onto this website, navigating to the course using the menu (My Courses – the Course Title), scroll to the bottom of your course, and click on your certificate to either download it or print it.

Directions for completing a course can be found by clicking here.

Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities

Click here to view our Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities.

Cancellation Policy

Refunds are offered within the first 30 days for courses which have not been completed.  There is a 10% service fee for refunds.

Grievance Policy

Click here to view our Grievance Policy.

This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.

Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.

This program was recorded September 1, 2023

You have six months to access online courses from the time of purchase.