Moving Beyond Change Efforts: Evidence and Action to Support and Affirm LGBTQI+ Youth

Course overview

This intermediate and above level course is tailored for counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, and social workers seeking to enhance their expertise in supporting LGBTQI+ youth. It provides participants with current knowledge, research insights, and evidence-based practices to promote the well-being of LGBTQI+ individuals. The course focuses on behavioral health concerns, harmful interventions, and the importance of affirming practices in clinical, community, family, and school settings. A key theme is the rejection of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) change efforts, which have been discredited due to their association with significant mental health risks, including increased suicidality and psychological distress. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the diversity within the LGBTQI+ community, encompassing various sexual orientations.