As clinicians, we must not only meet our clients where they are but also advance our areas of competency when we are presented with client needs beyond our existing comfort zones or areas of expertise. Far too often, LGBTQIA+ clients are referred out to other providers by well-intentioned clinicians who question whether they have the skill set needed to treat the presenting concerns of LGBTQIA+ individuals effectively. Let me tell you a little secret…YOU have the capacity to be an informed AND effective clinician for your LGBTQIA+ clients. It may take some assistance from others to help you advance your clinical skills and increase your comfort, but you CAN do this important work. And frankly, this community needs more clinicians willing to expand their practice with LGBTQIA+ individuals of all ages. With the behavioral health needs for LGBTQIA+ individuals at an all-time high and access to affirming and safe providers being a top priority for this community, we are excited to offer the LGBTQIA+ Training Certificate Program for clinicians. Please join us for this 2-part series and join the ranks of clinicians all over the country who are taking these essential steps in developing core competencies for clinical work with LGBTQIA+ individuals.
The LGBTQIA+ Certificate Program requires the completion of two non-interactive self-study courses:
- LGBTQIA+ Inclusion in Healthcare – Fundamentals of Working With LGBTQIA+ Individuals
- LGBTQIA+ Inclusion in Healthcare – Clinical Practice and Ethical Issues
Learning Objectives
After participating in LGBTQIA+ Inclusion in Healthcare – Fundamentals of Working With LGBTQIA+ Individuals, participants will be able to:
- 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.
After participating in LGBTQIA+ Inclusion in Healthcare – Clinical Practice and Ethical Issues, participants will be able to:
- 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
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:
![NBCC ce Logo]()
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:
![ACE ce Logo]()
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:
![NAADAC CE Logo]()
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:
![APA CE Logo]()
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.
