Offering Clinical Care at the Crossroads of Sexuality, Gender Identity & Faith
Friday, August 16, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Johnson Ferry Baptist Church
Marietta, GA
Presentation Description
A general introduction for clinicians on the practical application of research around sexual orientation, gender identity, religious identity, and addressing value conflicts in counseling practice. Participants will improve their ability to be knowledgeable of the research on sexual orientation and gender identity, including insight into prevalence of sexual and gender identities and insights into sexual and gender identity development. This workshop will allow clinicians to more effectively address the needs of specifically adolescents and young adults and their families who present to therapy seeking support in treating mental health concerns when they also are exploring sexuality and/or gender identity. It considers theological, biological, and sociocultural perspectives on sexual orientation, sexual identity, and gender identity, as well as clinical and applied perspectives with a focus on assessment and intervention when clients present with conflicts between their sexual or gender identity and religious identity.
Presenter: Julia Sadusky, Psy.D., LCP
Julia Sadusky (PsyD, Regent University) is an author, speaker, and licensed psychologist. She owns a private practice in Littleton, CO., where she offers individual, family, and couples therapy in addition to consultations for individuals and families. She also offers training and consultations to counseling centers and faith-based institutions on sexuality, gender identity, mental health, trauma-informed care, and the intersection of sexuality, gender, and spirituality. Dr. Sadusky has written several books around sexuality and gender. She has specialty areas in trauma-informed care and eating disorders, and works clinically primarily with adolescents, their families, and adult clients.
Learning Objectives:
1) Participants will examine key components of research: (1) research on causation around gender dysphoria (2) research and controversies surrounding prevalence estimates and the treatment of people with transgender and nonbinary experiences and identities; (3) survey of research into the experience of gender dysphoria for conventionally-religious populations and understanding of key concepts and terms in this area and (4) research regarding the challenges and dynamics faced by Christian families seeking to accompany a loved on navigating gender-related distress.
2) Participants will be able to discuss what is known and still unknown in the clinical and research domain about transgender identities and will become more equipped to communicate these findings in a ethically-competent way to clients and their families.
3) Participants will learn practical ways to implement ethically-sound treatment framework, specifically for conventionally religious clients and their families.
4) Participants will gain practical interventions to utilize in therapy, both in the realm of assessment and therapeutic processing. These interventions are trauma-informed, culturally humble, and attuned to the intersecting aspects of identity many clients present to treatment with.
5) Participants will be able to effectively develop a treatment plan for individuals and families presenting to therapy with a conflict around the intersection of gender and faith and will have practical knowledge to inform their approach.
6) Participants will be provided with resources that are resonant with conventionally religious clients to assist in identity exploration and consolidation of their clients.
7)Participants will apply knowledge about common milestone events in the formation of sexual identity to assessment in clinical practice.
8) Participants will apply and develop competence in helping clients to navigate sexual and religious identity conflicts in a client-centered manner.
9) Participants will identify dominant stories (problem narratives) from multiple sources of influence in a client’s life.
Continuing Education: 6 CE Hours Available
Target Audience: Licensed mental health providers from all disciplines including Psychologists, Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Social Workers, graduate students
Instruction Level: Audience of all levels are invited to attend.
Schedule of the Day
8:30-9:00 am Sign in and final registration; breakfast provided
9:00-10:30 am CONTENT BLOCK:
Foundational Principles: An Introduction into the 3 Lenses through which people view Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Key Terms, and Orientation to Research on Prevalence Information and Development of Sexual and Gender Identity
10:30-10:45 am BREAK
10:45-12:15 pm CONTENT BLOCK:
Orientation to Controversies in the Field regarding Childhood and Adolescence, including Puberty Blockers, Social Transition, and Cross-sex hormones
12:15-1:15 pm. LUNCH (provided)
1:15-2:45 pm CONTENT BLOCK:
Introduction to work with Adult Clients and Families around Sexual and Gender Identity and Clinical Applications of Research: Diagnostic Considerations and Assessment around Spiritual and Gender Identity
2:45-3:00 pm BREAK
3:00-4:30 pm Clinical Applications: Principles to Consider in Intervention and Treatment with Q & A
Refund policy: In order to receive a refund, requests must be submitted prior to August 9, 2024.
For questions, please contact Amy Estes at ContinuingEd@Richmont.edu.
There is no known commercial support for this program.
Richmont Graduate University has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 4534. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Richmont Graduate University is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Richmont Graduate University is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Richmont Graduate University maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Presentation References:
American Psychological Association, Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation. (2009). Report of the American Psychological Association Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation.
Beckstead, L. & Israel, T. (2007). Affirmative counseling and psychotherapy focused on issues related to sexual orientation conflicts. In K. J. Bieschke, R. M. Perez, & K. A. DeBord (Eds.), Handbook of Counseling and Psychotherapy with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Clients (2nded.) pp. 221-244. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Berg, D. & Edwards-Leeper, L. (2018). Child and family assessment. In C. Keo-Meier & D. Ehrensaft (Eds.) The gender affirmative model: An interdisciplinary approach to supportive transgender and gender expansive children (pp. 101-24). American Psychological Association.
Breunlin, D. C. (1999). Toward a theory of constraints. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 25(3), 365-382.
Cochran, B. N. Reed, O. M., & Gleason, H. A. (2018). Providing a welcoming clinical environment. In M. R. Kauth & J. C. Shipherd (Eds.), Adult transgender care: An interdisciplinary approach for training mental health professionals (pp. 44-60). Routledge.
Hathaway, W. L., Scott S. Y. & Garver S. A. (2004). Assessing religious/spiritual functioning: A neglected domain in clinical practice? Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 35(1), 97-104.
Hopwood, R. A., & Witten, T. M. (2017). Spirituality, faith and religion: The TGNC experience. In A. A. Singh & L. M. Dickey (Eds.), Affirmative counseling and psychological practice with transgender and gender nonconforming clients (pp. 225-26). American Psychological Association.
Savin-Wiliams, R. (2005). The new gay teenager. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Singh A. A. (2013). Transgender youth of color and resilience: Negotiating oppression and finding support. Sex Roles, 68, 690-702.
Sloan C. A., & Safer, J. D. (2018). The high-risk client: Comorbid conditions that affect care. In M. R. Kauth & J. C. Shipherd (Eds.), Adult transgender care: An interdisciplinary approach for training mental health professionals (pp. 123-39). Routledge.
Stratton, S. P., Dean, J. B., Yarhouse, M. A., & Lastoria, M. (2013). Sexual minorities in faith-based education: A national survey of attitudes, milestones, identity, and religiosity. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 41 (1), 3-23.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2015). Ending conversion therapy: Supporting and Affirming LGBTQ youth. HHS Publication SMA15-4928.
Tan, E. S. N., & Yarhouse, M. A. (2010). Facilitating congruence between religious beliefs and sexual identity with mindfulness. Psychotherapy, 47 (4), 500-511.
White, M., & Epston, D. (1990). Narrative means to therapeutic ends. New York, NY: W.W. Norton.
Yarhouse, M. A. (2008). Narrative sexual identity therapy. American Journal of Family Therapy, 36, 1-15.
Yarhouse, M. A. (2019). Sexual identity and faith: Helping clients achieve congruence. West Conshohochen, PA: The Templeton Foundation.
Yarhouse, M. A., & Houp, D. (2016). Transgender Christians: Gender Identity, family relationships, and religious faith. In Sheyma Vaughn (Ed.), Transgender youth: Perceptions, media influences, and social challenges (pp. 51-65). Nova Science Publishers.
Yarhouse, M. & Sadusky, J. (2020). Emerging gender identities: Understanding the diverse experiences of today’s youth. Brazos Press.
Yarhouse, M. A. & Sadusky, J. A. (2022). Gender identity and faith: Clinical postures, tools, and case studies for client-centered care. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press.