LGBTQIA+ Inclusion in Healthcare – Fundamentals of Working With LGBTQIA+ Individuals
Nearly 1 in 4 transgender individuals have avoided seeking needed health care due to fear of discrimination and mistreatment at their provider's office because of their gender identity. In 2021, 45% of LGBTQIA+ youth across the United States said they had "seriously considered" suicide, while 14% had made at least 1 attempt.
For trans youth, that number was much higher. Yet, 1 in 4 LGBTQIA+ youth said that they have been unable to access behavioral health care during the pandemic.
As clinicians and health care providers, we must do better.
This course is training for healthcare professionals of all disciplines and across treatment settings who are looking to better support LGBTQIA+ individuals accessing services.
Participants will explore how to provide inclusive healthcare for LGBTQIA+ individuals by first learning the critical terminology and concepts that define this diverse community. They will dive into the complex history and ongoing struggles faced by this community and unpack the subtle but pervasive impact of bias and microaggressions, giving them the tools to identify and dismantle these barriers in their practice.
Participants will learn practical strategies to create a safe and welcoming haven for every LGBTQIA+ patient who walks through their door and discover how to communicate with sensitivity and respect, ensuring that each individual feels seen, heard, and affirmed. They will examine the social determinants of health that contribute to healthcare disparities, learn strategies to mitigate their impact and reduce healthcare disparities for LGBTQIA+ patients. This knowledge is crucial for anyone looking to provide high-quality care that meets the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
By the end of this course, participants will not only have the tools to avoid common pitfalls, such as misgendering or making assumptions about a patient's identity, but they will also feel confident in their ability to support LGBTQIA+ individuals through respectful, informed, and culturally competent care.
Whether you're a seasoned clinician or new to the field, this LGBTQIA+ cultural competence training offers invaluable insights to enhance your practice and ensure that all patients feel seen, heard, and cared for.
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.
Enroll in the course today and join us in making a difference in the lives of LGBTQIA+ individuals by committing to a higher standard of inclusive healthcare.
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.
