NASW-CA EmpowerEd Program

Course Description

This workshop will center Queer Theory as a critical theory-driven and progressive framework to more responsively and competently serve LGBTQIAP2+ communities, marginalized populations, as well as cis-heteronormative people. Queer Theory will be applied to assessment and case formulation, and then this is married with evidenced-based practices to flesh out action and treatment plans consistent with increasing the mental/health and equity of LGBTQIA+ client systems. Two contemporary cases will be presented, about queer clients working with queer social workers, which cover a wide spectrum of sexualities, genders, and intersectional issues.

Target Audience

This course was created for social workers, behavioral health practitioners, and other service providers who are interested in research and resources related to helping and supporting clients who identify as LGBTQIAP2+.

Learning Objectives

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

• Consider critical terminologies and assumptions.
• Identify main tenets of Queer Theory applicable to social work (multi-level) practice, including intersectionality, performativity, (self-)identification.
• Define Minority Stress and Gender Minority Stress.
• Review assessment and case formulation within a critical (theory) and affirmative framework.
• Distinguish generalist vs. LGBTQIA+-affirmative case formulations.
• Construct Queer-affirmative action / treatment plans.