LGBTQIA+ individuals face some of the greatest health disparities in behavioral health care today—not because of who they are, but because of how systems, providers, and environments treat them. Clinicians who want to offer affirming care must understand the lived realities, terminology, and clinical needs of LGBTQIA+ communities.
This comprehensive self-paced certificate program offers two dynamic trainings designed to prepare behavioral health professionals with the insight, ethical clarity, and cultural humility needed to provide safe, inclusive, and effective services to LGBTQIA+ clients.
Chris McLaughlin, MSW, LCSW, brings more than two decades of clinical and leadership experience in behavioral health to this essential training. As the Executive Director of the NASW-Maine Chapter and an award-winning social work educator, Chris delivers content with deep compassion and practical expertise, empowering clinicians to reflect on their biases, update their practices, and respond with affirming care.
Through a strengths-based, trauma-informed lens, Chris guides learners through a structured, actionable exploration of LGBTQIA+ identities, cultural history, clinical disparities, ethical challenges, and inclusive care strategies. He combines research, case examples, and real-world tools to equip clinicians with strategies they can use immediately in their practice.
Participants will explore topics such as identity development, affirming language, bias and microaggressions, ethical complexities in clinical practice, WPATH standards for gender-affirming care, the role of representation, and strategies for fostering psychological safety in healthcare settings. This course also reviews grief, trauma, systemic barriers, intersectionality, and best practices for serving LGBTQIA+ youth, families, and special populations.
Key Takeaway:
Build essential knowledge: Understand the terminology, health disparities, and historical context impacting LGBTQIA+ clients.
Strengthen clinical practice: Learn how to create inclusive environments, use respectful language, and navigate complex ethical scenarios.
Provide affirming care: Apply research-informed, compassionate responses tailored to the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Why choose this course?
Comprehensive and practical: Covers both foundational and advanced content, offering a complete learning experience in just 4 CE hours.
Instructor expertise: Taught by a nationally recognized leader in behavioral health and LGBTQIA+ advocacy with real-world experience.
Earn your certificate: Completion of both self-study courses awards the LGBTQIA+ Certificate Program credential—a powerful demonstration of your commitment to affirming care.
Learning Objectives:
Define terms associated with LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Describe how Bias & Microaggression can impact the clinical care of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Respond to LGBTQIA+ patients with empathy and compassion and be best prepared to meet their identified healthcare needs.
Explain how the concept of Representation can impact clients seeking services
Explain the WPATH standards for clients seeking medical transition services
Describe ethical issues that might arise when working with LGBTQIA+ clients
Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding, meet professional standards, or better support your clients, this certificate program offers the clarity and tools to do so with confidence and care. Add this transformative learning experience to your professional journey—your clients and your practice will be better for it.
Add to cart to begin learning instantly.
Instruction consists of a total of 4 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.
Chris McLaughlin, MSW, LCSW
Chris McLaughlin (he/him/his) is the Executive Director of the Maine Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the 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 program consists of 4 continuing education hours of credit with completion of both courses.
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 to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 05/02/2021 – 05/02/2024. Social workers completing both courses receive 4 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 programing.
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 240 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.
