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Clinical Perspectives on LGBTQIA+ Mental Health: Best Practices for Inclusive Psychotherapy

Dr. Elizabeth Ruegg
1 hour

This course identifies strategies for mental health providers to support LGBTQIA+ clients in therapy. It defines the LGBTQIA+ acronym and describes common LGBTQIA+ terminology. Issues impacting the well-being of sexually minoritized clients are detailed, including discrimination and stigma, mental health disparities, and unique stressors such as internalized homophobia. Supportive clinical practices with LGBTQIA+ are illustrated, such as creating an affirming therapeutic environment and building a therapeutic alliance. Strategies for navigating supportive family conversations are detailed.

This course will award 1 continuing education hour.

Please see the board approval box for course approvals.

Course Objectives

  1. Identify and define core terminology within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum to ensure accurate and affirming clinical communication grounded in current psychological literature.
  2. Analyze the psychological impact of stigma, discrimination, and internalized homophobia on LGBTQIA+ clients using empirically supported frameworks of minority stress and mental health disparities.
  3. Apply evidence-based strategies to foster affirming therapeutic environments and enhance the therapeutic alliance with LGBTQIA+ clients, consistent with contemporary clinical guidelines.
  4. Evaluate supportive family engagement techniques and intervention models that promote systemic resilience and client well-being, as supported by peer-reviewed research.
  5. Integrate empirically validated assessment considerations and culturally responsive interventions into treatment planning for sexually minoritized individuals.

Course Author

Dr. Elizabeth Ruegg, LCSW

Dr. Elizabeth Ruegg is a faculty member in the MSW program at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Florida. She completed an undergraduate degree at Marymount College and earned an MSW at Fordham University. She completed her doctoral training at Simmons University in Massachusetts. Her doctoral research focused on the mechanisms of effectiveness in canine-assisted psychotherapy. She is a licensed clinical social worker, a certified addictions professional, a clinical traumatologist, a college and university suicide prevention specialist, a certified animal-assisted intervention specialist, and a certified animal-assisted psychotherapist. Dr. Ruegg authors a monthly blog on Psychology Today about animal-assisted psychotherapy.

Board Approvals

National Approvals

  • Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) (ACE)
    BaysideCEU.com, #1793, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. BaysideCEU.com maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 2/4/2026-2/4/2029
  • The Association For Addiction Professionals NAADAC
    Bayside Continuing Education and Development Provider Number 81892 is a NAADAC Approved Education Provider for educational credits. NAADAC Provider number 81892 is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
  • The National Board For Certified Counselors NBCC
    BaysideCEU has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP #6098. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. BaysideCEU is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

State Approvals

Information

  • Relevance: This course is intended for masters level professionals who work with indivdiuals and families who belong to the LGBTQIA+ community.
  • Content Level: Intermediate
  • Course Format: This course is offered as a self-paced distance learning format (reading-based online activity)
  • System Requirements: This course is offered online. Internet connection required.
  • Course Completion Information: To earn continuing education credit, professionals must register and pay the fee for the course.  They must read the content and demonstrate understanding by earning a minimum score of 70 percent on testing materials.  The certificate of completion will be able to be downloaded after the above is completed. Refunds will be granted upon request with the withdrawal of credit for the course. For questions, concerns, or to request special accommodations, please call 866-863-4225 or email ContactUs@BaysideCEU.com.
  • CEBroker Course ID: 1138080
  • Credit Hours: 1
Dr. Elizabeth Ruegg
1 hour
This course is intended for masters level professionals who work with indivdiuals and families who belong to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Add to cart $15.00