1 Hour / 1 CE

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Evidence-Based Psychotherapy with LGBTQ+ Populations is presented by Kimberly F. Balsam, PhD. 

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) people have unique risk and resilience factors that influence their mental health and response to psychotherapy. This program draws upon the growing body of psychological research with this population to provide a framework for clinicians to adapt their approach and provide affirmative, evidence-based psychotherapy for LGBTQ+ clients. Clinical examples and suggestions for incorporating clinician self-awareness and identities are included.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe the unique risk and resilience factors influencing the presenting problems of LGBTQ+ psychotherapy clients
  • 2 Describe three key elements of affirmative psychotherapy with LGBTQ+ populations
  • 3 Describe the framework for providing evidence-based psychotherapy with LGBTQ+ populations

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for mental health and allied professionals at all experience levels who work with LGBTQ+ clients in clinical or therapeutic settings. Participants may specialize in clinical psychology, counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy, and are committed to providing affirmative, evidence-based care. The program addresses the unique risk and resilience factors impacting LGBTQ+ individuals and is relevant for those practicing in mental health clinics, private practices, community organizations, and educational environments.

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for all career stages: entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professionals.

    Experience Level:

    • Beginner – developing foundational knowledge of LGBTQ+ affirmative practice

    • Intermediate – enhancing skills in applying evidence-based interventions and navigating complex cases

    • Advanced – refining expertise in addressing intersectional issues and leading best practices in LGBTQ+ mental health care

  • Practice Setting

    • Mental health professionals - psychologists, counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists
    • Allied professionals working with LGBTQ+ clients in therapeutic or clinical settings
    • Practitioners in mental health clinics, private practice, community organizations, and educational settings

Presented By

Kimberly F. Balsam, PhD

Kimberly F. Balsam, Ph.D., is Department Chair and Professor in the Psychology Department at Palo Alto University, where she is the Director of the Center for LGBTQ Evidence-Based Applied Research. She has a 20-year history of clinical practice and has been conducting innovative research in the area of LGBTQ+ psychology since the 1990s. She is currently the Principal Investigator for the LGBTQ+ Clinical Academy, a project to develop and test a 40-hour cultural competence training for behavioral health providers.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Kimberly F. Balsam, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Unique risk and resilience factors that influence mental health and response to psychotherapy

  • Psychological research with this population to provide a framework for clinicians to adapt their approach and provide affirmative, evidence-based psychotherapy for LGBTQ+ clients

  • Case examples

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).



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) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 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), SW CPE 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 and 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. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #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. CONCEPT Professional Training 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.