Joe Kort – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Clients: Clinical Issues and Treatment Strategies

Outline

Do No Harm: Make Your LGBTQ Client Feel Safe & Respected in TherapyDo No Harm: Make Your LGBTQ Client Feel Safe & Respected in Therapy

• Red-flag words: Offensive words you might use (without you knowing!)Red-flag words: Offensive words you might use (without you knowing!)
• Intake session: questions about developing identityIntake session: questions about developing identity
• Strategies to establish rapport and comfortStrategies to establish rapport and comfort
• Tips for discussing sex and sexualityTips for discussing sex and sexuality

Talk About Sex!Talk About Sex!

• Don’t miss out on key info by ignoring the sex talkDon’t miss out on key info by ignoring the sex talk
• Top or bottom? And other important questions to ask: flexible, changing sexual preferences and attractionsTop or bottom? And other important questions to ask: flexible, changing sexual preferences and attractions
• Varieties of sexualityVarieties of sexuality
• Protect the client from your own biases and assumptionsProtect the client from your own biases and assumptions

Coming OutComing Out

• Stigma and its impact on mental health from childhood to adulthoodStigma and its impact on mental health from childhood to adulthood
• 6 distinct stages with interventions6 distinct stages with interventions
• Navigate the 3 phases of coming out to avoid isolation and alienationNavigate the 3 phases of coming out to avoid isolation and alienation
• Fear, shame and rejection unique to this populationFear, shame and rejection unique to this population
• Relationship concerns: family, friends, school or workplaceRelationship concerns: family, friends, school or workplace
• Finding a sense of belonging in LGBTQ communityFinding a sense of belonging in LGBTQ community
• Harmful and dangerous effects of conversion therapyHarmful and dangerous effects of conversion therapy

LGBTQ AdolescenceLGBTQ Adolescence

• Coming out issuesComing out issues
• It gets better but not before coming outIt gets better but not before coming out
• Bullying and other safety issues contributing to PTSDBullying and other safety issues contributing to PTSD
• Harm reduction adult dating apps such as Grindr, Scruff, etc.Harm reduction adult dating apps such as Grindr, Scruff, etc.
• Risk assessment for substance abuseRisk assessment for substance abuse
• Assess for suicidalityAssess for suicidality
• Finding supportFinding support

Gay MaleGay Male

• Develop a treatment plan and goals for unique challenges growing up gay maleDevelop a treatment plan and goals for unique challenges growing up gay male
• Accurate assessment of alcohol use with this high risk populationAccurate assessment of alcohol use with this high risk population
• HIV & STI prevention strategies and risk and harm reductionHIV & STI prevention strategies and risk and harm reduction
• Generational differences informing different treatment plansGenerational differences informing different treatment plans
• Internalized homophobiaInternalized homophobia
• Learn specific sexual terminology to avoid alienating your clientLearn specific sexual terminology to avoid alienating your client

LesbianLesbian

• Develop a treatment plan and goals for unique challenges growing up lesbianDevelop a treatment plan and goals for unique challenges growing up lesbian
• Specific terminology that is helpful and damaging in this populationSpecific terminology that is helpful and damaging in this population
• Sex and sexuality: what to know, what to askSex and sexuality: what to know, what to ask
• Strategies to manage gender dynamicsStrategies to manage gender dynamics
• Internalized homophobia manifests in developmentInternalized homophobia manifests in development

BisexualityBisexuality

• Learn strategies to help the anxiety of bisexuals in dating and relationshipsLearn strategies to help the anxiety of bisexuals in dating and relationships
• Internalized biphobia and bisexual development from childhood into adulthoodInternalized biphobia and bisexual development from childhood into adulthood
• Compare and contrast male and female bisexualityCompare and contrast male and female bisexuality

TransgenderTransgender

• Overcome the knowledge barrierOvercome the knowledge barrier
• Avoid using outdated treatment plansAvoid using outdated treatment plans
• Learn and differentiate correct terms such as gender queer, gender fluid and cisgenderLearn and differentiate correct terms such as gender queer, gender fluid and cisgender
• Strategies to help your client tell their partner, families, friends and employersStrategies to help your client tell their partner, families, friends and employers
• Tips to discuss hormone treatments and surgical proceduresTips to discuss hormone treatments and surgical procedures
• Crucial points for transgender teens medically and psychologically and how to create best treatment planCrucial points for transgender teens medically and psychologically and how to create best treatment plan

QuestioningQuestioning

• Avoid mislabeling a client and leading them down the wrong sexual identity pathAvoid mislabeling a client and leading them down the wrong sexual identity path
• Differentiate between sexual fluidity from bisexuality, gay and lesbian identitiesDifferentiate between sexual fluidity from bisexuality, gay and lesbian identities
• Differentiate between sexual identity, sexual behavior and sexual fantasiesDifferentiate between sexual identity, sexual behavior and sexual fantasies

Working with LGB CouplesWorking with LGB Couples

• Dynamics of a same gendered couple including vulnerabilities and strengthsDynamics of a same gendered couple including vulnerabilities and strengths
• Coming out discrepancy causing turbulence for couplesComing out discrepancy causing turbulence for couples
• Recognize and identify how internalized homophobia creates conflictsRecognize and identify how internalized homophobia creates conflicts
• Open relationships in gay male couplesOpen relationships in gay male couples
• Sexual issues and strategies on compatibility, incompatibility, frequency and satisfactionSexual issues and strategies on compatibility, incompatibility, frequency and satisfaction

Working with Mixed Orientation Couples and RelationshipsWorking with Mixed Orientation Couples and Relationships

• Specific stages of coming out as a mixed orientation coupleSpecific stages of coming out as a mixed orientation couple
• Specialized treatment programs for the straight spousesSpecialized treatment programs for the straight spouses
• Helping LGBTQ spouse integrate their identity into their mixed orientation relationshipsHelping LGBTQ spouse integrate their identity into their mixed orientation relationships
• Learn how to identify which couples will succeed and which won’tLearn how to identify which couples will succeed and which won’t