2 Hours / 2 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Cultural Considerations for Working with LGBTGEQIAP+ Clients is presented by Clark Ausloos, PhD.

This program is designed to deepen professionals' understanding and effectiveness in working with LGBTQIA+ clients. It offers a substantive analysis of the unique life-stage challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals, grounded in empirical research. Attendees will gain a thorough grounding in evidence-based, affirmative practices that support the mental health of LGBTQIA+ clients, enhancing their therapeutic toolkit. The development of practical skills for fostering inclusive clinical and community environments is central to the curriculum, with an emphasis on experiential learning and application. Furthermore, this program stresses the importance of advocacy, teaching participants to engage with and influence policy in various institutions for the benefit of LGBTQIA+ individuals. 

This program enables professionals to integrate advanced LGBTQIA+ affirmative practices into their work, contributing to their career development and the broader goal of creating supportive, inclusive, and informed environments for diverse populations.

The learnings from this program can be applied in practice through the implementation of affirmative therapeutic techniques, the creation of inclusive policies, and the adoption of advocacy roles to support LGBTQIA+ individuals in various settings.


Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe comprehensive insights into the unique challenges and experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals across various life stages
  • 2 Describe evidence-based, affirming practices that support the mental health and well-being of LGBTQIA+ clients
  • 3 Describe how to develop skills to facilitate inclusive and supportive environments for LGBTQIA+ clients in both clinical settings and the broader community
  • 4 Describe how to collaborate effectively with a range of stakeholders to advocate for LGBTQIA+ affirmative policies and practices in diverse institutions

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for professionals who work with or support LGBTQIA+ populations, providing specialized knowledge and practical skills to enhance affirmative practices, improve inclusivity, and strengthen advocacy efforts. It is ideal for individuals in mental health, social services, education, healthcare, and advocacy roles who are committed to supporting LGBTQIA+ communities.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professionals (e.g., therapists, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists)
    • Social Service Providers (e.g., case managers, social workers)
    • Educators (e.g., K-12 teachers, college faculty, community educators)
    • Healthcare Professionals (e.g., nurses, physicians, allied health staff)
    • Non-profit and Advocacy Organization Staff (e.g., program coordinators, outreach workers)
    • Community Support Workers

  • Experience Level

    This program welcomes participants at all experience levels, supporting growth from foundational knowledge to advanced application in LGBTQIA+ affirmative practices.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to LGBTQIA+ affirmative practices and seek foundational knowledge about LGBTQIA+ identities, life-stage challenges, and basic inclusive strategies.

    • Intermediate: Participants have some experience working with LGBTQIA+ clients and are looking to deepen their understanding of evidence-based practices, enhance their advocacy skills, and apply more nuanced approaches in diverse settings.

    • Advanced: Participants are experienced professionals with a strong background in LGBTQIA+ affirmative work, aiming to refine advanced skills, lead policy advocacy, and mentor others in creating inclusive environments.

  • Practice Setting

    Participants practice in direct-service and systems-level environments, collaborating with clients, teams, and institutions to deliver affirming care, strengthen inclusivity, and advance advocacy.

    Work spans community, organizational, and institutional contexts in both in-person and virtual models, with interdisciplinary coordination and culturally responsive practices.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Private/group mental health practices and community clinics
    • Social service agencies and case management programs
    • K–12 schools and higher-education student support centers
    • Primary care, hospitals, and allied health departments
    • LGBTQIA+ community centers and non-profit advocacy organizations
    • Government agencies and policy/advocacy offices
    • Telehealth and hybrid service platforms
Presented By

Clark Ausloos, PhD

Dr. Clark D. Ausloos is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, a Licensed School Counselor, and a National Certified Counselor. Dr. Ausloos has worked in elementary, intermediate, and junior high school settings, as well as private practice, and with college students. Dr. Ausloos serves as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Counseling Department at Oakland University, and centers his clinical, andragogical, and scholarly work on supporting and advocating for non-dominant populations, specifically queer and trans youth. Dr. Ausloos has authored over 20 peer-reviewed manuscripts and has several book chapters and encyclopedia terms in press, in addition to presenting over 60 peer-reviewed conference presentations. Dr. Ausloos serves on numerous professional counseling organizations and divisions, including ACA, CSI, AARC, SAIGE, ACAC, ACSSW, ACES, as well as NBCC.



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Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Understanding LGBTQIA+ Identities and Life Stages:
    This module will cover the social and psychological aspects of LGBTQIA+ identities, utilizing current literature and demographic research to explore diverse experiences across life stages.

  • Affirmative Practices and Mental Health:
    Participants will delve into various affirmative therapeutic modalities and evidence-based practices through lectures and discussions, with a focus on practical application in mental health settings.

  • Creating Inclusive Environments:
    This segment will include interactive workshops where participants will learn to apply inclusivity principles in real-world settings, using role-playing exercises and analysis of case studies to simulate clinical and community scenarios.

  • Advocacy and Collaborative Policy Development:
    The final module will engage attendees in a series of collaborative exercises aimed at policy advocacy, including group projects to draft policy proposals and strategy sessions for implementing these policies within institutions.

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).

Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.