Foundations of Affirmative Care: Sex, Kinks & More
- Understand inclusive care and its impact
- Key terms and concepts
- Sex vs. Gender
- Sexual orientations and the fluidity of sexuality
- Unconventional relationships
- The hidden world of kink communities
Cultivate Cultural Competence and Prevent Microaggressions
- Practice role-playing techniques to better recognize unconscious biases in self and client
- Understand microaggressions and their effect on clients
- Cultural competence in the care of different LGBTQIA+ populations
- Cultural humility development and utilize self-reflection skills to support mental health growth
- “Live and let live”
- Self-reflection exercise
- Case studies
Essential Clinical Strategies for Affirmative Care: “Real life” Affirmative Language & Communication Techniques
- Use affirming language with different communities, based on unique needs
- “Real life” affirmative language examples
- Inclusive communication and open-ended questions
- Gender-affirming interventions and how to implement them in therapeutic practice
- Meet clients where they are – affirm, validate, and support
- Explore the spectrum of gender and identity
- Allow for diversity and develop a deeper understanding of identity
- Must-knows for referring clients to genderaffirming healthcare providers and writing letters for transgender/gender-diverse clients
- Ethical considerations
- Navigating the anti-LGBTQIA+ policies and bans
- Useful coping strategies for gender dysphoria
- Evidence-based treatments & resources for diverse populations
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Trauma-informed therapy
- Common barriers to care and improve mental health access
- Stigma & discrimination
- Intersectional identities
- Trauma and minority stress
- Support clients despite discriminatory laws and policies
- Best practices for creating safe, inclusive spaces for all clients
- Goal setting and treatment planning
- Empowerment through collaboration
- Tailor interventions for unique needs, experiences and identities
Support LGBTQIA+ Clients in Therapy & Beyond
- The effectiveness of affirmative care interventions
- The ongoing challenges you and your clients will face
- Offer additional support – community and resource referrals
- Your advocacy matters!
- Necessary future research
- Limitations and potential risks


