Considerations in the Clinical Treatment of LGBTQ+ Clients
By: Linda Reeves, LMFT and Alison Wood, Associate MFT
ABOUT LINDA K. REEVES, LMFT
Linda K. Reeves is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice in Manhattan Beach where she specializes in working with LGBTQ individuals, couples and families. She is active in the local community advocating for LGBTQ individuals, as a member of the Beach Cities Health District Adolescent Mental Health Task Force, and a co-founder of the new PFLAG Manhattan Beach / South Bay chapter. In response to the bullying her gay son experienced in school, Linda co-founded The Prism Institute in 2014 and provides education and training on affirmative LGBTQ practices to businesses, schools, and mental/medical health services providers nationwide. Linda’s current focus is on supporting parents of transgender and gender diverse children and is conducting a research study, operating retreats and writing a book entitled, Parents In Transition. Linda received her Masters in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles with a specialization in LGBTQ Affirmative Psychotherapy, and her undergraduate degree from San Diego State University.
ABOUT ALISON WOOD
Alison is a Board Certified & Registered Art Therapist and Associate Marriage and Family Therapist working in a private practice setting supervised by Andrea Mendoza, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Alison has worked at LGBTQ non-profits in direct care and advocacy since 1998. Her psychotherapy career began as an art therapist in New York after receiving a Masters of Professional Studies in Creative Arts Therapy from Brooklyn’s Pratt Institute in 2007. Alison was employed in the LGBTQ non-profit sector as a New York State Licensed Creative Arts Therapist up until the time she moved to Los Angeles in October 2013. After moving to California, Alison obtained another Master’s Degree from Alliant International University in Couples and Family Therapy and is currently working toward California State licensure. Her approach to therapy is described as empathic, gender affirming, culturally humble, LGBTQIA+ celebrating, radically accepting, and direct. Alison is a proud bisexual and participates in local LGBTQ advocacy and outreach through PFLAG Manhattan Beach / South Bay chapter.
*Alison Wood, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist IMF #102839 is supervised by Andrea Mendoza, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist MFC 38792
Course Description
This advanced workshop is designed to deepen your understand about the diversity of sexual and gender identities and the developmental and cultural factors that commonly underly addictive behaviors, PTSD, suicidality, depression, anxiety, hypervigilance, and insecure attachment in these populations. LGBTQ+ affirmative treatment interventions will be presented using actual case studies, including a focused look at the benefits of incorporating art therapy to support identity formation specific to sexual orientation and gender identity.
Learning Objectives
1. Learn an expanded vocabulary and understanding of over 30 affirmative terms to improve their competency when treating LGBTQ+ clients.
2. Participants will acquire three perspectives on identity development of transgender and gender expansive clients, including: phenomenology of the child and adolescent, differences between gender non-conformity and gender dysphoria, and how gender is experienced by youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
3. When assessing LGBTQ+ clients, the therapist will be able to recognize three ways that institutional and familial heteronormativity, cisgender privilege, and internalized trans/bi/ homo phobia influences the client’s identity formation and contributes to maladaptive behaviors and mental health issues.
4. When treating LGBTQ clients and their families, participants will be able to interpret client symptoms and apply four interventions using a LGBTQ affirmative theoretical perspective. Through the use of illustrated art therapy interventions, participants will deepen their understanding of LGBTQ+ specific issues, protective factors and ways to use creative expression and the therapeutic relationship in support of both sexual and gender identity formation.
Meetings Are Now FREE For Members WhoPre-Register!
Participants Will Receive 2 CEUs Via Email Within 2 Weeks
8:30 A.M. Registration and Breakfast
9:00 A.M. Announcements from President & Members
9:15 A.M. Presentation Begins
11:15 A.M. Presentation Ends & Informal Networking until 12 noon.
12:00 P.M. Meeting Ends/Board Meeting Begins
Long Beach - South Bay CAMFT - APPROVAL NUMBER: 56159
LBSB CAMFT is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFT’s, LCSW’s, LEP’s & LPCC’s. LBSB CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.
Course meets the qualifications for two (2) hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and/or LEPs, as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Refund Policy: With a 24-hour written notice, a full refund will be provided. With less than 24 hours' notice, credit towards attendance at a future education program course will be provided. Target Audience: This educational program is planned for marriage and family therapists, marriage and family therapy associates, social workers, counselors and/or educations psychologist. Special Needs Accommodations: In the event that special needs accommodations are required, please contact Diane Bagatorian, Co-VP Programs diane@clearrecovercenter.com indicating your need at least 8 days prior to the educational program. Awarding Course Completion Certifications: LB-SB CAMFT monitors attendance with sign-in and sign-out sheets and final course evaluations. Once the participate have signed out and provided course evaluations, course completion certificates will be emailed to your with 14 days. . Grievances: The Program Administrator (PA) and Board of Directors (BOD) will handle complaints or grievances and conduct investigations to determine the appropriate resolutions. The BOD and PA will respond within 48 hours of receiving the complaint and will provide timely fall-up to the participant during the course of investigation and resolution.
