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: Introduction to the Queer Spectrum (1 unit)
Instructor: Louise Monsour MA, LMFT
This course will provide an overview as well as discussions about the histories and myths surrounding the queer population. Students will explore the meanings and ramifications of every day decisions that are different from 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. Lecture and experiential exercises will be employed to identify developmental and social issues in the queer population. An extensive glossary of terms will be provided.
Heterosexism and Sexual Discrimination (1 unit)
Instructor: Melissa Fritchle, MA, Sex Therapist Intern and Gender Specialist
This course will examine the challenges and culturally imposed limitations faced by the diverse queer populations throughout history and today. We will address homophobia, hate crime, job and housing discriminations, legal and civil rights, invisibility, and identity development. We will pay special attention to the implications for therapy and to ways that therapists can avoid limiting their clients with hurtful cultural assumptions.
Queer Identity Throughout the Life Cycle (1 unit)
Instructor: Brett Johnson, PhD and Christine Fahrenbach, PhD
This course will cover the ongoing process of "coming out" to family, friends, and communities that queer clients and families face and ways to address this in therapy. It will address the needs of diverse representations of family and partnership. This course will discuss new and old models for looking at identity formation and the changing needs and wants of clients as they enter different ages and phases. Attention will be paid to working with families and partners as well as individual clients.
Transgender and Transsexuals (1 unit)
Instructors: Kim Hraca, MA, LMFT and Jamison Green
This course will provide an overview of working with the transgender clients and the complex clinical issues that may arise for this community. The experiences of Male to Females (MtF) and Female to Males (FtM) will be compared and contrasted. Students will understand the therapeutic needs of clients who are questioning their gender identity and will explore the challenges of working with clients outside of the gender binary. Additionally, common therapeutic needs of family members and partners of gender queer people will be addressed.
Key Issues for Queer Communities (1 unit)
Instructors: Various
This course will be offered with changing topics and a variety of instructors that address current issues facing queer clients and their therapists. Some upcoming topics may be Civil and Political Rights, Spirituality and Religious Beliefs, Cross Cultural Diversity, the Therapist as Advocate, and more. Please note students need to take one version of this course to complete their Queer Psych Emphasis. They may choose based on scheduling availability or interest.
Queer Psychology Emphasis
