This exciting training program will go a long way in heightening the awareness and understanding of mental health professionals concerning the many diverse sexual orientations of their clients. In the manual, the authors first discuss the difficulty involved in defining sexuality and gender diversity (SGD) and the necessity of training mental health professionals to recognize these sometimes subtle differences; they then provide a list of terms for describing SGD individuals. Next they present an historical background in SGD socially and politically. The last chapter introduces the 10-session training program contained on the CD-ROM. The likelihood of any mental health professional being called upon to treat an SGD individual has increased exponentially over the last few decades and will only grow more common in the coming years. Providing competent services demands an understanding of general human diversity and the issues and difficulties specific to SGD individuals. This program provides an excellent beginning. Review "As the field of psychology continues to grow and expand in integrating multicultural research and services, training of multicultural competent mental health providers becomes a critical area of needs. The 2011 American Psychological Association's Guidelines for Psychological Practices with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) clients note the glaring lack of training for service providers with this population and recommend education and training that include both obtaining current information about LGB clients and exploring personal attitudes and biases. The manual, A Sexuality & Gender Diversity Training Program. and the I0 training modules included in the CD-ROM, aim to address this troubling gap in training mental health professionals to ensure knowledgeable and quality care for sexuality and gender diverse (SGD) individuals....The manual and modules provide an intentional and organized training that would enhance graduate schools' and internship sites' multicultural competence education of mental health providers. The program could also serve as a valuable resource for mental health agencies committed to ensuring effective intervention with SGD individuals." -Psychology of Women Quarterly "With a growing number of young people coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and a host of other gender and sexual identities, it becomes even more critical for mental health professionals to receive the kind of training outlined in this book. Use of the modules in A Sexuality & Gender Diversity Training Program can begin to increase the competency of mental health professionals to address the varied needs of individuals who do not fit into gender and sexual binaries." -Genny Beemyn, PhD, Director, The Stonewall Center, University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Co-author of The Lives of Transgender People Table of Contents MANUAL Abstract Chapter I: Problem Context The Difficulty of Defining Sexuality and Gender Diversity (SGD) Why is Training Concerning SGD Needed for Mental Health Providers? Problems With Clinical Competency Problems With Relevant Literature List of Terms to Describe SGD Individuals Chapter II: SGD Historical Background for Mental Health Providers Socialization Into the Gender Binary Family and Community Media Portrayals Politics and Law Social Representations Biological Sex Gender Identity and Expression Sexual Orientation and Behavior SGD Individuals Research and Statistics Discrimination and Silencing Chapter III: Training Program for Mental Health Providers Program Logistics and Perceived Obstacles Structure of Training References CD-ROM: Introduction to the CD-ROM Modules 1: Group Orientation 2: Provision of Language 3: The Impact of Silence 4: Values Clarification Exercise 5: Creating an Inclusive Practice 6: Coming Out 7: Gender Identity and Transgender Issues 8: Parenting SGD Youth 9: Domestic Violence in the SGD Community 10: Closing and Commitment Appendices A: Module Evaluation Form; Overall Training Evaluation Form B: Shell Module
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