Every day, LGBTQIA+ individuals face silent harm in healthcare settings—not only through overt discrimination, but also through subtle erasure, microaggressions, and systems not built for them. These experiences don’t just impact emotional safety—they lead to poorer mental and physical health outcomes, avoidance of care, and a deep sense of invisibility. For behavioral health clinicians, the responsibility—and the opportunity—to change this starts with understanding.
This course invites professionals to better understand and serve LGBTQIA+ clients with the dignity and excellence they deserve—because culturally responsive care is not only ethical, it’s lifesaving.
Christopher McLaughlin, MSW, LCSW, is the Executive Director of NASW-Maine and the owner of Inspired Consulting Group, LLC. With over two decades of leadership and clinical experience in behavioral health, Chris is a nationally recognized advocate, educator, and award-winning clinician. His work empowers providers and organizations to move beyond awareness and toward affirming, impactful practices.
Chris’s approach is grounded in empathy, storytelling, and practical insights. With warmth and clarity, he demystifies terminology, breaks down stigma, and invites learners to consider their role in creating safe, supportive spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals in clinical settings.
This foundational self-study course covers the full LGBTQIA+ acronym, defines key terms, and explores gender identity, sexual orientation, and the historical and contemporary experiences that shape the LGBTQIA+ healthcare experience. Topics include minority stress, microaggressions, systemic disparities, representation in clinical environments, and the impact of legislation and cultural norms on health outcomes. Participants will also learn how to navigate difficult conversations, use inclusive language, and become effective allies.
Key Takeaways:
Clear understanding of terminology: Build fluency in the key terms and concepts that help you serve LGBTQIA+ clients with competence and respect.
Deeper awareness of harm and healing: Recognize how bias, microaggressions, and systemic barriers influence the health outcomes of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Practical guidance for affirming care: Gain the insight and confidence to respond to LGBTQIA+ clients with compassion, empathy, and informed action.
Why this course?
Learn from a nationally recognized expert: Chris McLaughlin brings award-winning leadership and real-world insight as a seasoned clinician, educator, and advocate.
Trusted by behavioral health professionals: Offered by the Telehealth Certification Institute, a leader in continuing education with a mission to elevate the standard of care.
Designed for real clinical impact: This course empowers clinicians to address current challenges with tools, understanding, and ethical clarity.
Learning Objectives:
Define terms associated with LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Describe how Bias & Microaggression can impact clinical care of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Respond to LGBTQIA+ patients with empathy and compassion and be best prepared to meet their identified health care needs.
This course is more than a checklist—it’s a turning point for clinicians who want to do better by their clients and their communities. Join us in cultivating inclusive, affirming care that makes a meaningful difference.
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This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Instruction consists of 2 hours of video instruction and a post-test.
Availability: From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.
Who Should Attend: This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.
Teaching Methods: This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.
How to Attend: Instructions for attending and completing a course can be found here.
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.
Disclosure Statement: The instructor for this course receive compensation for their services. There are no reported conflicts of interest to disclose.
Credit Hours: This course consists of 2 continuing education hours of credit.
Counselors:
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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 your licensing board would accept this course.
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 marriage and family therapists #MFT-0135, effective May 8, 2025.
Social Workers:
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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 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:
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This course has been approved by Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
Psychologists:
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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 course qualifies for 120 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.
