Knowledge is power, and a series of continuing education classes being offered at Affirmations Community Center is working to empower psychologists, social workers and therapists on how to better care for their LGBT and questioning clients.
The classes take place Nov. 15 - 16, with another set coming up in March 2014. Previous classes in August were well-attended and informative, starting a momentum to spread more competency and support in the systems where LGBT people turn for help.
Twelve continuing education hours will be available for social workers, licensed professional counselors (NBCC), and non-specific substance abuse counselor (MCBAP) credit. Psychologists, school counselors, physicians and all other attendees will be provided certificate of attendance for 12 training hours.
The program is backed by Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, Oakland Integrated Healthcare Network, Oakland University, Birmingham Maple Clinic, Lawrence Wentworth & Associates, Michigan Project for Informed Public Policy, Michigan School of Professional Psychology, Bloomfield Counseling, PC and Jane E. Kelly, PhD.
Topics include:
* An overview of working with lesbian, gay, and bisexual people - population demographics, terms and definitions, cultural / identity intersections
* Legal Issues - federal and state laws that apply to LGB people on marriage, health benefits, adoption, and HIV/AIDS
* Sexual Attraction & Social Development - commonalities and differences in sexuality development among LGB people
* Coming Out - stages of coming out, psychological trauma caused by stigma, treatment skills for assisting clients in their coming out processes
* Clinical Concerns - recognizing the differences between long-terms effects of stigma vs. psychopathology, common clinical issues, the challenges of identity labels
* Professional, and Ethical Considerations - bias in classical practice, therapist bias and micro-aggression, transference and counter transference, self-disclosure
Classes will be taught by:
Jay Kaplan, JD; attorney
Therapist and author Joe Kort, PhD, LMSW, Psychologist Judith Kovach, PhD, LP, Psychologist Amorie Robinson, PhD, LP (aka "Kofi Adoma"), Psychiatrist Don Spivak, MD, and Social Worker Maxine Thome, PhD, LMSW, AMSW, MPH.
The cost is $185 for professionals; $95 for students (show ID at registration). Limited scholarships are available. Contact Lydia Ahlum Hanson at [email protected]. The sessions take place at Affirmations Community Center, 290 W. 9 Mile, Ferndale.
Visit http://www.goaffirmations.org/group/PT_D for more information.
