Discrimination and Microaggressions on LGBTQIA+ Client Mental Health

Shanéa Thomas, Ed.D, LICSW (He/She/Dr.) is a bold lecturer and seasoned scholar-practitioner with more than 18 years of professional social work experience in the Washington DC metro area. His organization, Thomas Consulting and Therapeutic Services’ main commitment is training and strategizing with social workers, educators, and service providers around building safer therapeutic and educational spaces for all people. This is especially for those working in communities who are underserved and under resourced, and those identifying as black, indigenous, people of color, and LGBTQI+ folks. Dr. Thomas has facilitated over 80 workshops centering DEI needs, grief and loss, mental health, sex and gender, and LGBTQI+ populations. When creating organizational change through strategic planning, Dr. Thomas’ work unapologetically centers marginalized voices with community organizations and healthcare institutions to help shift power, privilege, and organizational accountability. Dr. Thomas ended his 10-year position at University of Southern California School of Social Work as a senior lecturer in 2022 to further the commitment around LGBTQ+ inclusivity through University of Maryland School of Public Health as their new LGBTQ+ Training Specialist and Assistant Research Professor. Dr. Thomas is currently curating a national training program launching in May 2023 with the use of the Prevention Research Center’s evidence-based tools used to build LGBTQ+ competency in practice amongst mental health professionals.

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Shanéa Thomas has an employment relationship with Thomas Consulting and Therapeutic Services, a guest lecturer with Wendt Center for Loss and Healing, and is an as-needed senior research assistant with WhitworthKee Counseling. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Shanéa Thomas is a member of National Association of Social Workers and the American Association of Sex Educations, Counselors, and Therapists.