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Evaluation ViewAttendees 7

Mini Workshop

LGBTQ+

Mini Workshop 21 - Supporting Parents and Caregivers of LGBTQ+ Youth with Affirmative Cognitive and Behavioral Strategies

Saturday, November 16, 2024
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM EST
Location: Grand Ballroom C, Level 5, Downtown Marriott
Earn 1.5 Credit
Keywords: LGBTQ+, Parenting, Treatment
Level of Familiarity: Basic to Moderate
Recommended Readings: Clark, K. A., Argiros, A. P., Dougherty, L. R., & Pachankis, J. E. (2024). Stigma and anxiety and depressive symptoms in parents of sexual and gender minority youth. Journal of Family Psychology. Advance online publication.,   Seager van Dyk, I., Clark, K. A., Dougherty, L. R., & Pachankis, J. E. (2022). Parent responses to their sexual and gender minority children: Implications for parent-focused supportive interventions. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity.,   Olson, K. R., Durwood, L., DeMeules, M., & McLaughlin, K. A. (2016). Mental health of transgender children who are supported in their identities. Pediatrics, 137(3).,   ,  

    Presenter(s)

  • Jeffrey M. Cohen, Psy.D.

    Associate Professor of Medical Psychology (in Psychiatry)
    Columbia University
    New York, New York, United States

  • Melina Wald, Ph.D.

    Associate Professor
    Columbia University Medical Center
    Danbury, Connecticut, United States

Due to ongoing anti-LGBTQ+ stigma in society, LGBTQ+ youth experience higher rates of mental health concerns compared to their cisgender, heterosexual peers (Bochichio, 2022). Parents and caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth also face stigma and shame, which are associated with increased parental anxiety and depression (Clark et al., 2024). Fortunately, families with LGBTQ+ children often seek mental health treatment, presenting a valuable opportunity for mental health professionals to positively influence these vulnerable youths' mental health trajectories and provide support to their parents and caregivers. However, without training in LGBTQ+ affirming care, including strategies for working with parents and caregivers, mental health providers may feel ill-equipped to serve this population (Gandy et al., 2013). Consequently, LGBTQ+ mental health disparities are likely to continue, and the effectiveness of evidence-based practices, such as CBT, may be diminished.
This mini-workshop aims to equip attendees with the essential tools required for employing evidence-based clinical practices, specifically CBT, when working with parents, caregivers, and families of LGBTQ+ youth, through an affirming, minority stress-informed approach. Drs. Cohen and Wald will use live demonstrations and clinical vignettes to teach how to adapt CBT techniques such as psycho-education, reflective listening, validation, and other positive communication strategies (e.g., youth-led interaction), as well as exposure to emotions in the context of caregiver distress, and parental cognitive restructuring to meet the unique needs of this population, including addressing challenges like gender dysphoria and coming out. The workshop will also include strategies for facilitating difficult discussions with parents of LGBTQ+ youth and provide practical suggestions for advocating for the well-being of LGBTQ+ youth at home, in schools, and within their communities, underscoring that acceptance in these environments is a key predictor of well-being for LGBTQ+ youth.

Outline:
• Overview of landscape for LGBTQ+ youth and their families
• Overviews of LGBTQ+ and affirmative models of care focusing on parenting supports
• Introduction to integrating affirmative care into CBT with LGBTQ+ youth and families
• Clinical vignette around supporting a teen in school in terms of access to bathrooms and athletic teams
• Clinical vignette around supporting a child who is being bullied at school
• Clinical vignette around providing support to parents around gender affirmation
• Discussion of additional treatment considerations and anticipated problems
• Question & Answer

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, the learner will be able to:
  1. Identify psychoeducational goals for the parents and caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth seeking mental health treatment.
  2. Identify and incorporate into practice affirmative cognitive and behavioral parenting strategies.
  3. Advocate for LGBTQ+ youth and their families in schools.
  4. Incorporate into practice advocacy goals for supporting LGBTQ+ youth and their families in their communities.
  5. Long-term Goal: Reduce mental health disparities for LGBTQ+ youth by providing evidence-based and affirming interventions to parents and caregivers.
  6. Long-term Goal: Foster skills to teach caregivers and parents how to support and advocate for their child or adolescent.
  7. Long-term Goal: Identify two or more strategies that can be implemented to affirm LGBTQ+ identities in school settings.
  8. Long-term Goal: Locate resources and referrals for gender-affirming healthcare.