LGBTQIA+ Inclusion in Healthcare – Fundamentals of Working With LGBTQIA+ Individuals
Enroll in the Online Self-Study course and complete it at your own pace.
2 CE hours available for behavioral health clinicians upon completion.
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.
Register for the 2 CE Online Self-Study for
$60
Develop core skills for LGBTQIA+ affirming care
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Get the LGBTQIA+ Training Certificate for $97
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Earn 4 CEs and access the two training modules
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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.
Instructor
Chris McLaughlin, MSW, LCSW,
Chris McLaughlin 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. You can learn more about Chris’ professional background and interests here.
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.
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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:
Directions for completing a course can be found by clicking here.
This program was recorded on October 13, 2022.
Testimonials
Iveyana Kiara Smith
Jessy Hainbach
Bryant Wilson
Ben Keyser
Mei Chan
Meghan Co, LCSW-C, LICSW