Supporting the Behavioral Health Goals of LGBTQ+ Clients

Course overview

Our clients exist along a spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities. Clients who are LGBTQ+ may seek support from a behavioral health provider for a variety of reasons. For example, they may need support around: Exploring their identity Coping with stress from discrimination or stigma Addressing relationship concerns Navigating life transitions Treatment for a specific behavioral health disorder People in the LGBTQ+ community can face both similar and unique concerns as compared to people who are heterosexual and cisgender. Understanding the unique concerns can help increase understanding, compassion, and allow for more effective support of community members. Please note that this course is not implying that all LGBTQ+ people need behavioral health treatment. The goal of this course is to provide addictions, behavioral health counseling, marriage and family therapy, nursing, psychology, and social work professionals as well as physicians working in health and human service settings with information about how to practice more effectively and affirmatively with clients who are LGBTQ+, as well as how to employ adapted interventions.