The Queer Psych Series is designed to develop cultural competency for therapists who work with the LGBTIQ communities. This emphasis will introduce the complexity and diversity of these communities and delineate where they intersect and diverge. Completion of this series will provide an understanding of the special issues that these populations face in their everyday lives, their personal relationships, the workplace, and in their spiritual communities as well as their place in history.
The content of each course will be delivered through the use of lecture, discussion, experiential exercises, DVD/Video, meditation, and ritual. A certificate of completion will be awarded upon completion of five courses.
COURSE SCHEDULE AND DESCRIPTIONS:
QUEER PSYCH 101* (1 UNIT) FA & SP
INSTRUCTOR: LOUISE MONSOUR MA, LMFT
As the introductory course in the emphasis, this course will provide an overview as well as the histories and myths about these populations. In this course students will explore the meanings and ramifications of every day decisions that are different for those who are part of the queer minority, and will begin to look at the coming out process across all ages and genders for each population.
HETEROSEXISM (1 UNIT) WI
Instructor: K. Sue Duncan, MA, LMFT
This course will examine what it means to work with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Questioning/Queer (GLBTIQ) clients. A number of topics such as homophobia, identity development, coming-out issues, heterosexism and cultural assumptions will be explored in the context of doing therapy.
BEING QUEER ACROSS THE LIFESPAN (1 UNIT) WI
Instructor: Brett Johnson, PhD and Christine Fahrenbach, PhD
This course will cover all aspects of LGBTIQ families, such as single parents, childless couples, blended families that include a queer person, etc. The course will look at the needs and wants of families in these communities with regard to the mental heath community. The course will explore if there are differences in working with LGBTIQ families and straight families, as well as the special needs of those at the age extremes.
TRANSGENDER AND TRANSSEXUALS (1 UNIT) SP
Instructor: Kim Hraca, MA, LMFT & Jamison Green
This course will provide an overview of working with transgender clients and a deeper exploration of complex clinical issues. Students will understand the therapeutic needs of transgender clients. The experiences of Male to Females (MTF) and Female to Males (FTM) will be compared and contrasted. Additionally, gender-queer identification will be explored and challenges with family, partners, the workplace, and medical and legal issues will be covered.
CURRENT ISSUES IN THE LGBTIQ COMMUNITY (1 UNIT) SU
Instructor: Jamie Moran, MSW, LCSW
This course will look at current issues affecting these unique communities. Possible topics include civil rights, marriage and survivor benefits, the increasing visibility of the differently gendered community, current political issues, and multiculturalism. The content of this class will change from year to year as current issues arise.
*Queer Psych 101 is prerequisite to all the other courses and will be offered in Fall and Spring quarters. Other than this prerequisite, the seminars may be taken in any order, although the order above is recommended.
Upon the completion of the series of five courses, for a total of 50 class hours, students will earn a
certificate of completion for the Queer Psychology emphasis.
