Gender Diversity at Intake: Knowledge, Awareness, and Skills for Trans Affirmative Practice

This introductory workshop presents information and engages participants in activities that enhance their ability to conduct affirmative therapy intakes for transgender and nonbinary clients. Participants expand their awareness of assumptions surrounding gender, gain knowledge of trans-affirmative practices, and acquire skills for making their practice more affirming. An interactive computer program designed to improve practitioners’ ability to conduct an affirming intake with a gender-diverse client is demonstrated and discussed, and participants are given access to the online training simulation for additional practice for a period after the workshop.

Original webcast date: October 20, 2020

This program is approved by the National Association of Social Workers for 2.5 continuing education contact hours.

• Apply APA guidelines for trans-affirmative therapy practice to intake procedures, forms, introductions, and office interactions.
• Identify your own assumptions about gender and the potential impact on building a therapeutic alliance.
• List at least two specific communication strategies to promote an inclusive and affirming environment to clients of all gender identities.

Christa K. Schmidt, PhD and M. Paz Galupo, PhD