IHI Competency Courses
IHI is a leader in LGBTQ+ culturally-responsive continuing education and training for professionals and organizations*. IHI Competency Courses help strengthen your skills and understanding to provide affirming, supportive services and environments to transgender, lesbian, bisexual, gay, and queer-identified people.
For professionals
IHI Competency Courses offers continuing education to professionals via live and e-course training formats. View our current course offerings, below, and sign up for a live training or enroll in an e-course and learn at your own pace. All courses offer continuing education units (CEUs) for social workers and mental health counselors licensed in New York State*.
All live trainings are currently offered via video conference to protect your health and safety during COVID-19.
If there is a training topic related to LGBTQ+ adults that you would like IHI to consider offering, feel free to let us know at training@ihitherapy.org.
For private practices, agencies, and organizations
IHI Competency Courses offers customized LGBTQ+ culturally-responsive trainings and program development to private practices, agencies, and organizations seeking greater understanding and support of people who identify as LGBTQ+.
All live trainings are currently offered via video conference to protect your health and safety during COVID-19.
If you would like more information on customized trainings and program development for your practice, agency, or organization, please contact training@ihitherapy.org.
*IHI Competency Courses are offered with or without continuing education unit (CEU) credits. IHI is authorized by the state of New York to provide CEUs to licensed master social workers (LMSW), licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), and licensed mental health counselors (LMHC) who complete our trainings. Certificates of completion may be submitted to your respective professional state board for approval.
Courses
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “LGBT individuals face health disparities linked to societal stigma, discrimination, and denial of their civil and human rights. Discrimination against LGBT persons has been associated with high rates of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and suicide. Experiences of violence and victimization are frequent for LGBT individuals, and have long-lasting effects on the individual and the community. Personal, family, and social acceptance of sexual orientation and gender identity affects the mental health and personal safety of LGBT individuals.” With these negative impacts in mind, it is critical that all mental health professionals and organizations ensure that clients receive culturally-responsive care.
Introduction to LGBTQ+ cultural competency, Part I (live course via Zoom)
2-hour live course, 2 CEUs
Stay tuned for upcoming live trainings offerings.
Introduction to LGBTQ+ cultural competency, Parts I & II (e-course)
4-hour online e-course, 4 CEUs
Cost: $99 special offer. For a limited time, use code SPECIAL99 at checkout.
This course utilizes lecture, class discussion, group exercise, video presentation, and case study analysis to promote cultural competency in working with LGBTQ+ people.
Important training topics include:
LGBTQ+-relevant terms and definitions
Debunking and understanding common myths and stereotypes
Clinical issues (e.g. coming out and disclosure, pathologizing sexual orientations and/or gender variances, experiences, or expressions via over-diagnosis)
Trans-literacy: history, current contexts, and working with transgender, gender non-conforming, and queer people
History of HIV and AIDS, current contexts, and lived experiences of people living with HIV
U.S. LGBTQ+ population and demographic information
Affirming and sensitive language
History of LGBTQ+ progress in the U.S.
Lived experiences of LGBTQ+-identified people in the U.S.