BEST PRACTICES FOR SERVING GENDER DIVERSE ADULTS, ADOLESCENTS AND CHILDREN
Presented by
Dreya Blume, LCSWIn this workshop we will review gender-affirming terminology and explore the wide variety of identities within the gender-diverse community. You will learn how to provide gender-affirming care for clients of different ages (ranging from children to teens to adults), beginning with what to include on in-take forms and how to create a welcoming office atmosphere.
Overview
Recorded: Summer-2024 6 CEs (Health Equity CEs or Cultural Competence CEs)
Whether they are transgender, non-binary, two-spirit, gender fluid, or agender, those in our gender-diverse communities need clinicians who understand the issues they are facing, as well as how to meet their needs best.
Dreya, a transgender woman, has been a gender therapist since 2004 and is thrilled to share her knowledge with you during this dynamic and engaging training. We will review gender-affirming terminology and explore the wide variety of identities within the gender-diverse community. You will learn how to provide gender-affirming care for clients of different ages (ranging from children to teens to adults), beginning with what to include on in-take forms and how to create a welcoming office atmosphere.
You will also become familiar with themes that typically arise in session, such as coming out to oneself, family, friends, and coworkers; navigating social and medical transition; managing stress, microaggressions, discrimination, and bias; and dealing with grief and loss. (both on the part of the client as well as family members); common mental health issues associated with gender diversity, such as depression, anxiety, suicidality, PTSD, and eating disorders; intersectionality; the gatekeeping dilemma; and more.
Dreya will also discuss how to write referral letters for clients (both adults and minors) seeking gender-affirming medical care. We will explore the criteria for “gender dysphoria,” the role of WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) guidelines in the letter-writing process, and how to conduct a “gender consultation” for the purposes of such a document.
Finally, we will examine client transference and clinician countertransference, as each can impact the therapeutic relationship. The good news is that by more deeply exploring the nature of gender diversity and the challenges faced by gender-nonconforming individuals, clinicians can make a meaningful difference in the lives of their clients and families.
Objectives:
• Identify a wide range of identities among people who are gender-nonconforming. • Learn the micro and macro challenges that impact the mental health of gender-nonconforming individuals. • Become familiar with how to best provide affirming care to gender-diverse individuals. • Discuss how to conduct a gender consultation for the purpose of writing a referral letter for gender-affirming medical care. • Understand the transition timeline of a person navigating their gender journey. • Explore how to support the families of gender individuals best. • Become familiar with local and national resources for gender-diverse individuals.
About the Presenter
Dreya Blume (she/her) is a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, author, and educator. Dreya began working in the mental health field in 2004 in southwest Virginia, where she spent almost two decades serving the local transgender community as a gender therapist. She recently moved to Durham, NC, where she focuses on offering continuing education training to therapists and coaching for private practice clinicians who want to expand their business uniquely. Dreya loves to write and is the author of several books, including, “The Tarot Activity Book: A Collection of Creative and Therapeutic Ideas for the Cards,” “Journaling the Tarot,” “Everyone Has a Story: Using the Hero’s Journey and Narrative Therapy to Reframe the Struggle of Mental Illness,” and “Tarot for Transformation: Using the Major Arcana to Discover Your Best Self and Create a Life Worth Living.” All of Dreya’s books (under her former name, Andy Matzner) are available here: https://dreyablume.com/books. Dreya is also passionate about teaching. Before becoming a mental health clinician, she spent many years teaching English as a Second Language in places such as Japan, Australia, Thailand, and Hawaii. Once in Virginia, Dreya worked as an adjunct professor for almost twenty years at Hollins University, teaching gender studies and sociology in their Master of Liberal Studies program. In addition, she spent twelve years teaching future social workers in the human services program at Virginia Western Community College. Learn more about Dreya on her website: https://dreyablume.com/.