NASW-CA EmpowerEd Program

Course Description

Behavioral health practitioners have an ethical responsibility to seek evidence-based information describing common challenges and clinical issues faced by transgender individuals. This course is designed to provide practitioners with a brief introduction to relevant clinical issues, rather than providing an in-depth analysis or rendering practitioners competent to treat transgender individuals regarding issues that are specific to their transgender status. The content explores the differences between gender and biological sex, the spectrum of gender, and affirmative terminology, in addition to the stigma, discrimination, and health disparities encountered by LGBT individuals. Also addressed are the pertinent changes in the DSM-5 and the accepted standards of care and competencies for counseling transgender individuals. To complete the course, participants access online content, view short web-based video clips, and pass the online posttest with a score of 80% or better to print a certificate of completion.

Target Audience

This introductory-level course is designed for behavioral health practitioners and other professionals working in mental health, social services, or health care who want a better understanding of clinical issues related to providing services and counseling to transgender individuals.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, readers will be able to do the following:

• Identify the spectrum of gender and associated terminology
• Identify primary health issues impacting transgender individuals
• Identify relevant changes from the DSM-IV-TR to DSM-5
• Identify professional codes of ethics relevant to treating transgender individuals
• Identify accepted standards of care and competencies for counseling transgender clients
• Identify resources for further study and training required to become competent to provide services and/or treatment to transgender individuals