Working With LGBTQ+ Clients Who Don’t Want Identity-Focused Therapy (2 CEU's)

TRAUMA, CULTURE & RELATIONAL DYNAMICS
Working With LGBTQ+ Clients Who Don’t Want Identity-Focused Therapy – 2 CEUs

Overview:
Therapists increasingly recognize the importance of affirming and culturally responsive care for LGBTQ+ clients; however, clinicians may unintentionally assume that sexual orientation or gender identity should be a central focus of treatment. Many LGBTQ+ clients seek therapy for concerns unrelated to identity, including anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship issues, parenting, work stress, depression, or everyday life challenges. Clients may express frustration with repeatedly being viewed through an identity lens or feel exhausted by assumptions that their presenting concerns must be directly tied to their LGBTQ+ experiences. While identity can shape lived experience, overemphasizing it may unintentionally create distance, reinforce stereotypes, or overlook the client’s stated goals.

In this presentation, Dr. Zairys Feliz, Ph.D., LCSW, participants will examine culturally responsive and affirming approaches for working with LGBTQ+ clients without making identity the automatic center of treatment. Attendees will explore how therapists can remain aware of relevant cultural and systemic factors while respecting client autonomy and treatment priorities. The course will address common clinical pitfalls including overpathologizing identity, making assumptions about lived experiences, overlooking intersecting identities, or shifting treatment away from client-defined concerns. Participants will learn practical strategies for balancing affirming care with individualized treatment planning, recognizing when identity-related factors may be clinically relevant without imposing them, and maintaining therapeutic curiosity that honors the whole person rather than a single aspect of identity. Through case examples and applied discussion, attendees will gain practical tools for providing thoughtful and nuanced care.

Objectives:

1. Identify common assumptions and clinical pitfalls that may emerge when working with LGBTQ+ clients.

2. Recognize how to balance culturally affirming care with respect for client-defined treatment goals and autonomy.

3. Apply practical interventions that support individualized treatment without unnecessarily centering identity.

Scope and Limitations Disclosure
This course provides licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals with an overview of affirming and culturally responsive approaches for working with LGBTQ+ clients. Participants will learn practical assessment and intervention strategies relevant to outpatient clinical practice. This training does not provide comprehensive specialization in LGBTQ+ mental health or certification in gender-affirming treatment models. Participants are expected to apply course material within their professional scope of practice, ethical standards, and ongoing commitment to cultural humility.

Financial and Commercial Disclosure
The presenter has no relevant financial relationships or conflicts of interest to disclose. Any references to therapeutic concepts, cultural frameworks, interventions, or resources are included solely for educational purposes. Participants are not required to purchase any additional materials to complete this course.

Refund Policy – Live CE Trainings (Virtual & In-Person)
All registrations for live CE trainings are subject to this refund policy. By enrolling, participants agree to these terms. Cancellations made 7 days or more prior to the scheduled training date are eligible for a full refund minus a $25 administrative fee, or participants may elect to receive a full credit toward a future training. Cancellations made less than 7 days before the scheduled training are non-refundable; however, registrations may be transferred to another eligible training or another attendee with prior written approval. Participants who fail to attend a scheduled live training, do not complete attendance requirements, or fail to satisfy course participation requirements are not eligible for refunds or CEUs. If a training is canceled or rescheduled by the provider, registrants will be offered either a full refund or the opportunity to transfer to another training. Refunds will not be issued if participants are unable to earn CEUs due to incomplete attendance, failure to complete required evaluations, or licensing board eligibility restrictions.