Course 6J - The Ethics of Working with LGBTQ Youth - Ending Conversion Therapy

Course overview

THE GOALS OF THIS COURSE and Credit Hours - offering 6.75 credit hours in Texas and states other than California. In California and for NBCC, 4 Credit Hours are awarded. This course is FREE with CEU By Net's Unlimited CEUs Annual Subscription, which can be purchased on the CEU By Net website for $49, good for an entire year. The authors and publishers of the course are: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, HHS Publication No. (SMA) 15-4928. Rockville, MD, Coordination of Expert Panel, Clinton W. Anderson, PhD (Associate Executive Director, American Psychological Assoc., Public Interest Directorate, Director LGBT Office) The Goals of the Course apply to multiple areas: Ethics, Cultural Competence, Abuse and Neglect, and Child and Adolescent Treatment and Assesmen. 1. Based upon the extensive research which produced this SAMHSA document, understand the new ETHICAL REQUIREMENT for mental health, SUD, and physical healthcare professionals to cease the practice of CONVERSION THERAPY with LGBTQ youth. 2. Recognize the negative impact of failing to acknowledge LGBTQ identity and sexual orientation as an important ETHICAL ISSUE in both mental health and substance abuse programs -- considering the vulnerability of LGBTQ children and adolescents to substance use disorders (SUD) and suicidal behaviors as a function of family rejection and homelessness, anxiety and depression, and submission to CONVERSION THERAPY. 3. Know the various forms of CONVERSION THERAPY to which LGBTQ children and youth have been historically submitted, and the approved alternatives to Conversion Therapy that are appropriate at various stages of LGBTQ identity development. 3. Know the difference between Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression in children, adolescents, and young adults, and the possible blending of these gender attributes. 4. Gain a clear understanding of the difference between GENDER vs. Sex Assigned at Birth, as it pertains to the normal spectrum of sexual expression and development of gender identity in humans. 5. Recognize the negative impact of failing to acknowledge LGBTQ identity and sexual orientation, and the vulnerability of LGBTQ children and adolescents to substance abuse, homelessness, anxiety, depression, and suicidal behaviors when submitted to CONVERSION THERAPY. 6. Know the meaning of Sexual Minority, Gender Minority, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, Transgender, Cisgender, Intersex, and Gender Diverse as these terms apply to LGBTQ children and youth, and the possible developmental trajectories of each. 7. Learn effective, ETHICAL approaches to forming a healthy counseling relationship with LGBTQ youth and their families, including families who are not comfortable with their child's LGBTQ identity. 8. Know how to present the LGBTQ status of the child or adolescent to the parent, including (1) the inherent neurological and biochemical basis for LGBTQ identity and (2) the physical and emotional development process from childhood to adulthood. 9. Know the most effective approach to assisting parents in forming a healthy relationship with the child or adolescent despite their difficulty in accepting the child's LGBTQ status. 10. Know and understand the appropriate AFFIRMATIVE CARE for TRANSGENDER and Intersex youth which facilitates timely social and medical transition (including surgery and sex-affirmative hormonal regimen), based upon an understanding of the developmental trajectories from very early childhood through young adulthood.