Evidence and Action to Support and Affirm LGBTQI+ Youth E291

Course Summary

Practice Level: Intermediate

All youth, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and intersex adolescents (LGBTQI+ youth), deserve the opportunity to thrive and achieve their human potential.  Nearly 15% of U.S. high school students identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual or are unsure of their sexual orientation (Raifman et al., 2020); the true size of sexual minority populations is likely even higher. As much as 9% of high school students identify as transgender, nonbinary, or another gender identity that differs from their sex assigned at birth (Kidd et al., 2021). Variations in sexual orientation (including identity, behavior, and attraction) and variations in gender (including identity and expression) are part of the normal spectrum of human diversity.  However, oppressive forces such as societal stigma and discrimination can place LGBTQI+ youth at increased risk for psychological distress (e.g., depressive symptoms, anxiety, and behavioral disorders), substance abuse, eating disorders, and suicidal ideation and attempts.  Furthermore, large, methodologically rigorous studies consistently find that attempts to change an individual’s sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) can render LGBTQI+ individuals at increased risk for severe psychological distress, depression, and suicide.

Given the scope of these mental health concerns, all clinicians who may encounter young people must strive to provide the best ethical, evidence-based care to help LGBTQI+ youth manage the oppressive forces. In addition, clinicians must work to help eliminate the use of harmful treatment strategies such as SOGI change efforts.  This material, designed for social workers, psychologists, counselors, and marriage and family therapists, is based on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s publication Moving Beyond Change Efforts: Evidence and Action to Support and Affirm LGBTQI+ Youth and presents the best practices for working with LGBTQI+ youth based on current research. The report provides current knowledge about LGBTQI+ youth, a comprehensive research overview, and important information on behavioral health concerns within this community. The positive and negative influences that family, school, and community systems can have on the behavioral health and well-being of these individuals are reviewed as well as ways to mitigate negative influences. More specifically, this learning material provides details on helpful and harmful interventions for these populations in clinical, community, family, and school settings. The course stresses the importance of policies designed to protect LGBTQI+ youth against discrimination, including access to evidence-based care and the effects of these policies on the behavioral health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals. Please note that while this publication is no longer available on the SAMHSA website, clinicians need to remain committed to providing supportive, ethical care.

Course Format

This course contains downloadable online lessons (PDF) and a practice test. When you’re ready, purchase the course by clicking the “Add To Cart” or “Enroll” button. This will let you take the test, complete the course evaluation and receive your certificate for CE credits.

Learning Objectives

1. Explain best practices for working with youth of diverse sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
2. Identify evidence-based findings regarding the practice and effects of sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts with youth.
3. Describe new developments in research with youth of diverse sexual orientation and/or gender identity, including sexual orientation development, gender identity development, and behavioral health concerns.
4. Recognize positive and negative influences that family, school, and community systems have on the behavioral health and well-being of LGBTQI+ youth.
5. Differentiate therapeutic approaches and interventions appropriate and beneficial to LGBTQI+ youth and their families.
6. Describe professional stances aimed at improving the behavioral health of LGBTQI+ youth, including those focused on access to evidence-based care and protection against discrimination.

Course Syllabus

• Executive Summary
• Section 1. State of the Evidence of SOGI Change Efforts With Youth
• Section 2. Development, Behavioral Health, and Beneficial Therapeutic Approaches With Youth of Diverse Sexual Orientation and/or Gender Identity: A Research Overview
• Section 3. Policy Approaches to Support the Behavioral Health and Well-Being of LGBTQI+ Youth
• Appendix A: References

Authors

SAMHSA

SAMHSA – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. SAMHSA leads public health efforts that advance the behavioral health of the nation and its mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on communities in America.

William A. Cook, Ph.D.

William A. Cook, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who worked for 15 years in private practice in Montana before leaving his practice to work full time as the Director of CE4Less. He earned his doctorate degree from Texas A&M University, and focused much of his psychology practice in the area of child and family counseling, as well as psychological testing.

Accreditation Approval Statements

CE4Less.com is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CE4Less.com maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

CE4Less.com, provider #1115, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 8/8/24-8/8/27.

Social workers completing this course receive 3 cultural competence continuing education credits.

CE4Less.com has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6991. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CE4Less.com is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Level Education Group, 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-0835.