Event Description:
Research suggests that Lesbian, Gay, Bisxual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) individuals tend to utilize psychotherapy more than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. However, many therapists lack a nuanced understanding of within and between group differences of these populations. Most doctoral programs in clinical psychology provide only one graduate-level course on "diversity." This leaves many of us well-intentioned but largely uninformed of the research and best practices with LGBTQ populations, and particularly of LGBTQ people of color.
This interactive workshop will explore the unique challenges that LGBTQ+ populations face in their sexual identity development and gender expression. The workshop will also provide initial steps for developing an LGBTQ+ affirmative practice, guiding you through paperwork, initial interview questions, and case conceptualization. Our goal is to help participants increase knowledge and cultural sensitivity, and work to help you ensure that therapy is a safe space for your sexual minority and transgender clients.
*3 Continuing Education Credits are available**
Learning Objectives:
- Differentiate between gender identity and sexual orientation.
- Describe the unique experiences of sexual identity development of LGBTQ people and how factors such as race, culture, gender, and religion impact their trajectories.
- Evaluate the differential impact of societal devaluation of femininity on the gender expression of lesbian, gay and bisexual men and women.
- Identify ways to make your practice more LGBTQ-affirming from paperwork, to clinical interviewing, to case conceptualization.
Presenters:
Dr Laurie Paul is a licensed psychologist in DC, Virginia and Maryland. Dr. Paul graduated with her doctorate in clinical psychology in 2014 from The New School, an APA-accredited PhD program in New York City. While in graduate school, she spent 6 years as part of a research team studying how clients and therapists negotiate racial, ethnic, and cultural differences in psychotherapy. She also spent 5 years as part of a research team examining the psychological impact of breast cancer on lesbian and bisexual women and on Latina women, with a focus on social support, family support, and doctor-patient relationship. During her clinical training, she worked within a variety of settings, including: community mental health centers; the psychiatric emergency room; inpatient and outpatient hospital settings; a university counseling center; substance abuse clinics; and a drug/alcohol detoxification unit.
Dr. Paul completed a postdoctoral fellowship in psychodynamic psychotherapy at The Karen Horney Clinic in New York City. The training program is accredited by the American Psychoanalytic Association and the International Psychoanalytical Association.
Dr. Paul has specialized training in cognitive behavior therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy, and mindfulness techniques. She completed the Gottman Method of Couples Therapy Training Level 2. She currently works in her private practice in Chevy Chase, MD, specializing in anxiety, OCD, and couples therapy, and is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at American University. She has given professional education workshops for the DC Psychological Association, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, The American Academy of Psychotherapists, Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn, and the Society for Psychotherapy Research, on the LGBTQ community and on working with culturally-different clients. She is also a volunteer speaker for Rainbow Families.
Dr. Antoine L. Crosby a licensed Clinical Psychologist who completed his master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in Atlanta, Georgia and received his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) in San Francisco, California.Through training he has worked with clients in various settings including community mental health centers, university counseling centers, inpatient hospital units, and forensic settings. In these settings he has been afforded the opportunity to work with individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds. More specifically, Dr. Crosby’s clinical experience and passion involves working with ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender minorities across the lifespan, individuals living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses, substance use, and other marginalized groups.
Currently, Dr. Crosby provides individual and couples psychotherapy through his private practice, Affirmative Spaces. His research and clinical specialty areas include LGBTQ+ mental health, African American Psychology, HIV/AIDS, and working with other marginalized groups. One One aspect of Dr. Crosby’s clinical approach is recognizing the role and importance of faith present in many ethnic minority communities. In treatment, he works to honor one’s faith while addressing conflicts that may arise between one’s respective faith, their other held identities (LGBTQ+, gender identity, gender roles, etc.), and their behavioral health experiences (depression, anxiety, trauma, etc.).
