Foster Care Training

Mental Health practitioners play a vital role in creating an inclusive and affirming environment that responds to the needs of transgender and other gender non-conforming individuals. Like all individuals, transgender people appreciate friendly and courteous service. It is important to understand how cisgender privilege obscures practitioners in providing respectful and non-oppressive services. In addition, it is important to have an awareness of the unique needs when providing clinical services to transgender individuals. Many transgender people experience stigma and discrimination in their day to day lives, and particularly when seeking services. As a result, many fear they will be treated disrespectfully by health care staff, which can lead to them delaying necessary health care services. This training is aimed at raising critical consciousness and skills to utilize when providing affirmative services to the transgender and gender non-conforming population. Ultimately, the goal is to develop a starting point to help direct service practitioners to provide affirming services to transgender clients at their organization/agency.