About The Training Program
The Behavioral Health Provider Training Program is a comprehensive initiative committed to elevating the delivery of high-quality, culturally relevant, and affirming behavioral health interventions specifically tailored for members of the LGBTQ+ community. With both virtual and in-person training options, this program exposes participants to best practices when working with LGBTQ+ clients, and challenges participants to examine their personal and professional biases.
Why Is The Provider Training Program Important
While many providers state they are “LGBTQ+ affirming,” studies show that many LGBTQ+ individuals face adverse experiences when seeking healthcare. Systemic discrimination, places LGBTQ+ people at a heightened risk of experiencing mental health challenges, with rates of depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders two to three times higher than their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts. Most vulnerable are LGBTQ+ youth, for whom the leading cause of death is suicide. Even well-intentioned professionals can unintentionally cause harm, as acceptance doesn’t guarantee culturally relevant services. Moreover, increased societal awareness of sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity is prompting earlier coming out journeys, placing greater responsibility on mental health clinicians to provide culturally sensitive support across diverse settings.
By working towards being an affirming adult, you can provide a safe space for young LGBTQ+ people to talk about their thoughts and feelings which can help the young person develop a positive self-image. You can also help LGBTQ+ youth navigate the challenges of coming out and living authentically. Supporting you in navigating the ins and outs of how to do this is where we come in.
FAQs
Who is the training program for?
The LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Provider Training Program is designed for registered and licensed mental health clinicians, addiction counselors, certified peer specialists, social workers, counselors-in-training, and other behavioral health support professionals. The Level 1 Introductory Training is also appropriate for non-clinical staff, such as front desk staff, as the content is foundational.
I don’t serve LGBTQ+ clients. Is this training still useful for me?
You are serving LGBTQ+ clients. If you don’t believe you are serving LGBTQ+ clients, it is because they haven’t come out to you yet.
Everyone in the behavioral health field, from front desk staff to providers, serves LGBTQ+ clients. Given that LGBTQ+ individuals report experiencing negative interactions while seeking healthcare services, coming out in therapy can present as a particularly vulnerable experience. The training program, Level 2 in particular, incorporates various opportunities for participants to reflect on personal and systemic biases that may be impacting your level of care.
I’m a provider and I identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Will I gain anything from this training?
Yes. There are just as many ways to be LGBTQ+ as there are LGBTQ+ people. Even well-intentioned helping professionals, whether LGBTQ+ identifying or not, can cause harm within behavioral health spaces. Being accepting and pro-LGBTQ+ does not necessarily translate to the ability to deliver culturally relevant services.
What is the format of the training program?
➔ Level 1 is an introductory, 75-minute training offered in an online, self-guided format.
➔ Level 2 is a 9-hour, comprehensive training offered either as a virtual training split into two half days or a full day in-person training.
➔ Population-specific modules are one hour and self-guided, focusing on unique disparities when working with individuals holding multiple marginalized identities. The module offerings include:
➔ Working with Transgender and Gender-Diverse Communities
➔ Working with LGBTQ+ Youth
➔ Working with LGBTQ+ Older Adults
➔ Working with LGBTQ+ Communities of Color
Is there a cost associated with the training program?
➔ Level One (Individual): $50/person
➔ Level Two (Individual, Level One required): $250/person
➔ Level One and Level Two Learning Pathway (Individual): $300/person
➔ Population Specific Modules: Anyone who completes Level One and Two Learning Pathway gets access to one population specific module at NO COST. Any additional modules after the first are $75 individually, $125 for two or $150 for the remaining three.
➔ Visit the course catalog here: envisionyoubhptp.talentlms.com/catalog
Are discounts available for participants?
To ensure equitable access to learning, discounts for nonprofit organizations, academic and government institutions, and students available for Levels 1 & 2. For more information, please contact [email protected].
Are there prerequisites to complete the training program?
Participants must complete Level 1 in order to complete Level 2. Additionally, participants must complete both Levels 1 and 2 in order to be eligible to complete the population-specific modules.
Please note: the Training Team encourages interested participants to register for a Level 2 training date as soon as possible, given that in-person trainings will be capped at 25 participants and webinars will be capped at 20 participants.
Who facilitates these trainings?
The Level 1 training and the population-specific modules are virtual, on-demand, self-paced content. Level 2 trainings are co-facilitated by licensed professional counselors, with professional experience working with LGBTQ+ clients and/or lived experience as an LGBTQ+ person.
Who developed the training program?
The training program, created in collaboration between the non-profit Envision:You and the OMNI Institute, has been made possible through generous grant funding from Caring for Denver. This funding has enabled us to design population-specific modules, with a notable emphasis on compensating community advisory group members for their invaluable contributions to module development.
What continuing education credits does the training program offer?
For professionals in Colorado, our training series aligns with what the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) requires for Licensed Mental Health Providers regarding professional development. Our training modules fall into two categories: group learning and coursework, both of which satisfy the CE requirements for maintaining a license.
Participating psychologists and/or LPCs who complete the Level 1 or Level 2 training have the opportunity to receive a certificate for the following continuing education credits from the University of Denver (DU) and University of Colorado Denver (UCD).
- 1 CE credit for completing Level 1 for psychologists
- 10 CE credits for completing Level 1 and Level 2 for psychologists
- 1 CEU for completing Level 1 and Level 2 for LPC’s
Note: 1 CEU or continuing education unit is equal to 10 CE or continuing education credits.
Participating social workers who complete the Level 1, Level 2, and population-specific modules have the opportunity to receive a certificate for the following continuing education credits issued by Denver Family Institute, endorsed by the Colorado Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-CO).
- 1 CE credit for completing Level 1
- 10 CE credits for completing Level 1 and Level 2
- 1 CE credit for completing each population-specific module, respectively
Please note: The acceptance of continuing education credits varies by state, so please check with your licensing board to ensure this course meets those requirements.
How else can I stay up to date with your work?
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Empowered, to receive updates on our offerings.
Questions?
Please contact [email protected].