Overcoming Barriers to LGBTQ+ Affirming Behavioral Health Services
Hours: 1.50
A 2020 Gallup poll found that 5.6% of adults in the U.S. identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, or another sexual or gender identity (LGBTQ+; Jones, 2021). This is an increase from 4.5% in 2017 (Newport, 2018). When these increasing numbers are considered in light of health disparities found among LGBTQ+ populations (e.g., increased rates of mental health problems, suicidality, and substance use disorders), the critical need for trained professionals who can deliver competent, culturally relevant, affirming care becomes apparent. Yet sadly, the need for such training has not translated to a behavioral health workforce that is confident to routinely meet the needs of sexual and gender diverse individuals.
This course will help you to improve your ability to understand the unique needs of LGBTQ+ populations and provide affirming care that addresses those needs. We will review some foundational terms and issues pertaining to inclusive language, discuss the barriers that individuals frequently encounter when attempting to access healthcare, and strategies you can implement to help individuals overcome such barriers.
The goal of this course is to provide addictions, behavioral health counseling, marriage and family therapy, nursing, psychology, and social work professionals in health and human services settings with information on understanding, supporting, and advocating for individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.
A 2020 Gallup poll found that 5.6% of adults in the U.S. identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, or another sexual or gender identity (LGBTQ+; Jones, 2021). This is an increase from 4.5% in 2017 (Newport, 2018). When these increasing numbers are considered in light of health disparities found among LGBTQ+ populations (e.g., increased rates of mental health problems, suicidality, and substance use disorders), the critical need for trained professionals who can deliver competent, culturally relevant, affirming care becomes apparent. Yet sadly, the need for such training has not translated to a behavioral health workforce that is confident to routinely meet the needs of sexual and gender diverse individuals. This course will help you to improve your ability to understand the unique needs of LGBTQ+ populations and provide affirming care that addresses those needs. We will review some foundational terms and issues pertaining to inclusive language, discuss the barriers that individuals frequently encounter when attempting to access healthcare, and strategies you can implement to help individuals overcome such barriers. The goal of this course is to provide addictions, behavioral health counseling, marriage and family therapy, nursing, psychology, and social work professionals in health and human services settings with information on understanding, supporting, and advocating for individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.
American Psychological Association
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As a Jointly Accredited organization, Relias LLC is approved to offer co-sponsored psychology continuing education by the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA is an associate member of Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education.
California Board of Registered Nursing
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP# 13791
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
American Nurses Credentialing Center
In support of improving patient care, Relias LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Nurses will receive 1.50 Nursing Contact Hours after successfully completing this course.
Association of Social Work Boards
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Relias LLC is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Relias LLC maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 Cultural Competence continuing education credits.
Course Delivery Format: Asynchronous Distance Learning-interaction includes quizzes with questions and answers, post-tests. This module is Reading-Based Online.
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
In support of improving patient care, Relias LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Relias LLC designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.50 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
District of Columbia Board of Nursing
District of Columbia Board of Nursing Approved Continuing Education program (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
Florida Board of Nursing
Florida Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
Georgia Board of Nursing
Georgia Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
South Carolina Board of Nursing
South Carolina Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
West Virginia Board of Registered Nursing
West Virginia Board of Registered Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
New Mexico Board of Nursing
New Mexico Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Arkansas State Board Of Nursing Approved Continuing Education program (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
Kentucky Board of Nursing
Kentucky Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
Mississippi Board of Nursing
Mississippi Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
North Dakota Board of Nursing
North Dakota Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
Florida Board of Medicine
Florida Board of Medicine (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Physicians will receive 1.50 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™.
Ohio State Medical Board
State Medical Board of Ohio (CEBroker Provider #: 50-290)
Physicians will receive 1.50 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™.
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (CEBroker Provider #: 50-290)
Physicians will receive 1.50 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™.
Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure
Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure (CEBroker Provider #: 50-290)
Physicians will receive 1.50 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™.
New Mexico Medical Board
Physicians will receive 1.50 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™.
South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners
South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Tennessee Board Of Medical Examiners
Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Physicians will receive 1.50 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
Florida Board of Psychology
Florida Board Of Psychology (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Psychologists will receive 1.50 hours.
Illinois Professional Counselor/Clinical Counselor
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
National Board for Certified Counselors
Relias, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No.6110. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Relias , LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, Division of Professional Licensing Services, Social Work Unit
Relias, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0009.
Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of licensed master social work and licensed clinical social work in New York. As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice for an LMSW and LCSW. A licensee who practices beyond the authorized scope of practice could be charged with unprofessional conduct under the Education Law and Regents Rules.
As a provider of online, asynchronous education, some courses offered by Relias Learning are considered “self-study” under section 74.10(c)(2)(ii)(b)(4) of the Commissioner’s Regulations. The regulations limit self-study activities taken from a provider approved by the Education Department to no more than 12 hours in the 36-month registration period or one-third of the hours in a registration period other than 36 months.
Social workers will receive 1.50 continuing education hours for participating in this course. This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
Illinois, Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Marriage and Family Therapist Continuing Education Sponsor
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, State Board for Mental Health Practitioners, Mental Health Counselors (MHC)
Relias, LLC, is recognized by New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0011
As a provider of online, asynchronous education, some courses offered by Relias, LLC are considered "self-study". The regulations limit self-study activities taken from a provider approved by the Education Department to no more than 12 hours in the 36-month registration period or one-third of the hours in a registration period other than 36 months.
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, State Board for Mental Health Practitioners, Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT)
Relias, LLC, is recognized by New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. #MFT-0009
As a provider of online, asynchronous education, some courses offered by Relias are considered "self-study". The regulations limit self-study activities taken from a provider approved by the Education Department to no more than 12 hours in the 36-month registration period or one-third of the hours in a registration period other than 36 months.
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors
Ohio Marriage and Family Therapist Board
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board
Provider # RTX050401 (CEBroker Provider 50-290)
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours
Ohio Professional Counselor Board
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board
Provider # RCX100502 (CEBroker Provider: 50-290)
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
Ohio Social Worker Board
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board Provider #RSX091903 (CEBroker Provider # 50-290)
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners
South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners (CEBroker Provider 50-290)
New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, State Board of Psychology
South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors and Therapists
South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors and Therapists (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology
South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
West Virginia Board of Social Work
West Virginia Board of Social Work (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals
This course has been approved by Relias LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 1.50 CE. NAADAC Provider #86124, Relias, LLC is responsible for all
aspects of their programming.
Breining Institute for Registered Addiction Specialists
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
California Association of DUI Treatment Programs
California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals
Provider approved by CCAPP, Provider number 1S-06-729-0220 for 1.50 CEH's
Missouri Credentialing Board
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
National Academy of Certified Care Managers
Relias,LLC is approved by the National Academy of Certified Care Managers (NACCM) as a continuing education provider, #18-502RA.
This activity approved for 1.50 CMC contact hours
Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board
Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
Content Area: C2
National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
Association of Social Work Boards - New Jersey
Overcoming Barriers to LGBTQ+ Affirming Behavioral Health Services, Course #4045, is approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program to be offered by Relias, LLC as an individual course. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE course approval period: 04/26/2022 to 04/26/2024. Social workers completing this course receive 1.5000 Cultural Competence continuing education credits.
New Jersey social workers not pleased with a grievance resolution provided by Relias Learning, LLC may appeal to the approving entity or their jurisdictional board.
Course Delivery Method and Format: Reading-based asynchronous distance
California Association of Alcohol and Drug Educators
Relias Learning is an approved provider of Continuing Education. Provider number: CP40 910 H 0318 for 1.50 CEHs.
Illinois Alcohol and Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association
Categories Counselor II, Preventionist II, CARS II, CODP I or II, PCGC II, CCJP II, , CRSS I or II, CVSS II, , CPRS I or II, MAATP II, , CFPP II, NCRS II
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
Connecticut Certification Board
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals
Education hours MCBAP-R
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
Alcohol & Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
Recall the concerns of the LGBTQ+ community regarding behavioral health needs and services, as well as specific roadblocks to accessing those services.
Describe outreach efforts and interventions that can assist LGBTQ+ community members to obtain effective healthcare and meet behavioral health needs.
Outline:
Section 1: Introduction
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Section 2: Key Terms and Inclusive Language
Rory’s First and Last Meeting with Maxine
Understanding Terms Related to Gender and Sexuality
Central Concepts Related to Gender and Sexuality
Quick Check
Intersex Condition or Differences of Sex Development
What Is Inclusive Language?
Review
Summary
Section 3: The LGBTQ+ Community and Behavioral Health Needs
An Overview of Behavioral Health Needs in the LGBTQ+ Community
The Impact of Oppression and Discrimination
Suicidality
Substance Abuse Among LGBTQ+ People
The Importance of Trauma-Informed Care
Violence Toward LGBTQ+ Individuals
The Impact of Microaggressions
Review
Summary
Section 4: Overcoming Roadblocks to Affirming Care
Mistreatment and Discrimination within Healthcare
Training Deficits
Concerns of the LGBTQ+ Community
The Need for Integrated Care
Identifying and Addressing Internalized Messages and Implicit Bias
Legal Discrimination and Access to Healthcare
Review
Summary
Section 5: Meeting the Behavioral Health Needs of the LGBTQ+ Community
Supportive and Affirmative Approaches
Ensure Compliance with National Guidelines
Assess Whether Your Practice Is an Affirming Environment
Outreach Programs and Public Health Campaigns
Facilitating Referrals
Honoring Non-Western Healing Methods
Importance of Peer Support and Group Facilitators Who Share Identities
Review
Summary
Section 6: Conclusion
Summary
Course Contributors
Resources
References
Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Professional Writing from The College of New Jersey and a Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University. She is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and has particular interest in resilience and secondary traumatic stress among behavioral health providers. The majority of Stephanie’s work has included behavioral health counseling and medical case management. Stephanie served as part of the National Health Service Corps from 2016-2018, providing outpatient counseling to underserved populations including military service members and their families. Stephanie has designed and delivered training on many topics such as LGBTQIA+ sensitivity, youth suicide prevention, and how to provide in-community services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.Reviewer: Jennifer Niles, LCSW, LCAS, CCS-I
Jennifer received her Bachelor’s degrees in Social Work and Criminal Justice from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Master’s degree in Social Work with a Certificate in Substance Abuse Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has over 13 years of experience providing psychotherapy, counseling, and case management to a variety of populations. Her experiences and clinical interests are centered around addiction treatment, harm reduction, severe mental health conditions, psychosis, LGBTQ+ issues, gender diversity, integrated care, and clinical supervision.
The target audience for this course is: Beginner level Social Workers; Entry level Alcohol and Drug Counselors; Entry level Professional Counselors; Entry level Psychologists; Marriage and Family Therapists; Nurses; in the following settings: Health and Human Services.
Asynchronous/Online Distance Learning; please see certificate details for specifics on delivery format.
Relias has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Support by completing the web form (https://www.relias.com/help) or by using the chat functionality.
All courses offered by Relias, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer or otherwise does not constitute or imply any endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of, or affiliation with, Relias, LLC.
All characteristics and organizations referenced in the following training are fictional. Any resemblance to any actual organizations or persons living or dead, is purely coincidental.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Customer Support here.
