THE COMING OUT PROCESS FOR LESBIANS AND GAY MEN

Course overview

Course Description: This course is based on a publication the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) and is designed to provide mental health and substance abuse counselors with a great deal of information regarding working with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) individuals. The publication covers the special issues that need to be addressed in working with LGBT individuals in a treatment setting. The coming out process for lesbians and gay men is described. This publication also reviews the interaction between substance abuse and recovery and the coming out process. The key differences between families of origin and families of choice are delineated. A case example is also provided in order to help illustrate the concepts and how to assist clients through the process of coming out. Although the publication is written from the perspective of applications to substance abuse treatment, much of the information applies to LGBT clients in other treatment settings. This course serves as an excellent resource for mental health professionals who work with substance abuse, or who would like to improve their clinical skills by learning more about how to work with lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered individuals. Given the prevalence of LGBT individuals, this course provides much needed information to improve the cross cultural competencies of clinicians. Psychologists, social workers, counselors, drug and alcohol counselors and marriage and family therapists can benefit from this course. This course may also be helpful for other practitioners, such as midwives and dieticians and nutritionists who work with substance abuse or lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals. This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to learn more about the LGBT population and or substance abuse treatment. Author: SAMSHA Learning Objectives: This course will provide a professional with a review of cultural and clinical issues that are significant for LGBT individuals. Specifically, a professional will: · Identify the stages of the coming out process for lesbians and gay men. · Describe important components of the coming out process and techniques for assisting a LGBT client. · Identify important questions to include in treatment and assessment of LGBT clients. Citation: SAMSHA (2001). A Provider’s Introduction to Substance Abuse Treatment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Individuals. Chapter 5 The Coming Out Process for Lesbians and Gay Men and Chapter 6 Families of Origin and Families of Choice. DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 01-3498. Visit us on the web at Ce-Classes.com