This course focuses on how the LGBTQ+ community intersects with many other identities and communities. It is imperative that professionals maintain awareness of the intersectional needs of youth.
Course Overview
LGBTQ+ youth, like all young people, require environments that nurture their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. They face unique challenges due to stigma, discrimination, and lack of understanding, which can impact their developmental outcomes. LGBTQ+ youth can be at higher risk for suicidal ideation, self-harm, running away, homelessness, abuse, and commercial sexual exploitation . These youth along with their families, benefit from the support of compassionate, informed professionals to provide services, information, and advocacy.
The LGBTQ+ community intersects with many other identities and communities. It is imperative that professionals maintain awareness of the intersectional needs of youth. In addition, professionals supporting the needs of LGBTQ+ youth are having to factor in the rise of political initiatives to reduce or ban support of this population. This leads to ethical dilemmas and the risk of moral injury to the professional. Youth need consistent caring support from adults who are knowledgeable, well-resourced, and resilient. Professional self-care is critical so that adults can continue to provide ethical, responsive care to the diversity of youth in the LGBTQ+ community.
This intermediate-level course is appropriate for social workers, counselors, psychologists, and other human services professionals serving LGBTQ+ youth.
Participants will be able to:
Describe the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth due to stigma, discrimination, and lack of understanding including intersectional identities.
Identify a variety of approaches and interventions that support the developmental needs of LGBTQ+ youth.
Create a list of resources for support, advocacy, and information to benefit LGBTQ+ youth, their families, and their communities.
Discuss the awareness and implementation of professional self-care so that providers can maintain the resilience needed to provide ethical, responsive care to LGBTQ+ youth.
What people have said about other trainings presented by Laura Gaines:
“The trainer provided “very helpful activities and kept the interest level high.”—Sharon L.
“I appreciated the flow of the activities and the interactivity of the training.” --Alex P.
Laura Gaines, MSW, LISW-S
Laura A Gaines is a social worker (LISW-S) specializing in child development, mental health, trauma informed care and resilience. She worked as a child and adolescent mental health clinician for 20 years. She is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ youth and adults. Her experience includes supporting families of children and adults with developmental disabilities, and extensive training experience in child welfare and ethics. An engaging presenter she has developed and presented hundreds of trainings over 30 years. As the director of Individual Solutions, LLC she understands the need for professional self-care to continue working as an effective and ethical professional. She and her wife enjoy living in Columbus, Ohio as home base for their travels.
