2 Hours / 2 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Harassment and Discrimination with Trans* and Gender Expansive Youth is presented by Clark Ausloos, PhD.

This comprehensive program delves into the unique challenges faced by trans* and gender-expansive youth, focusing on the critical issues of harassment and discrimination in educational and social environments. Participants gain a deep understanding of these adversities and their impact on youth development, enhancing their ability to create affirming and supportive spaces. 

The program covers a range of topics, including the different forms of harassment and discrimination these youth face, effective strategies and interventions to support resilience, practical tools for developing inclusive environments, and an in-depth look at the legal and ethical considerations necessary to protect and advocate for these individuals. Participants advance their professional development and acquire the skills needed to significantly improve the lives of trans* and gender-expansive youth, making them valuable assets in any organization committed to diversity and inclusion. 

This program is designed for a diverse group of early- and mid-career professionals working closely with or impacting youth. This includes counselors, educators, school counselors, and healthcare providers such as pediatricians, psychologists, social service workers, and human resources professionals. Participants are likely engaged in environments such as schools, community centers, healthcare facilities, and various corporate settings. The program is aimed at those seeking to deepen their understanding and enhance their ability to create inclusive spaces for trans* and gender-expansive youth. It provides these professionals with essential knowledge and practical tools to effectively support this vulnerable population, thereby improving their professional practices and contributing positively to their workplaces and communities.

Participants can apply the insights and strategies learned from this program to:

-Create inclusive environments: Implement policies and practices that foster inclusivity and respect for trans* and gender-expansive youth in schools, workplaces, and community settings.

-Support and advocacy: Equip professionals with the ability to advocate for and support marginalized youth, ensuring their rights and needs are recognized and met.

-Conflict resolution and intervention: Develop skills in identifying and addressing instances of harassment and discrimination, providing timely and effective support.


Impact on Career

The benefits of this program to a participant's career are multi-faceted:

-Job and promotion prospects: With an increased emphasis on diversity and inclusion in professional environments, the skills to support and advocate for underrepresented groups can make participants more attractive candidates for hiring and promotion.

-Salary: Specialized skills in diversity and inclusion can lead to opportunities in roles with higher responsibility and compensation, as organizations increasingly recognize the value of these competencies.

-Personal fulfillment: Working effectively with diverse populations and making a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable youth can lead to greater job satisfaction and personal fulfillment, knowing one's work contributes positively to societal change.


Unique Value of the Program

This program is uniquely valuable because:

-Focused expertise: It offers specialized knowledge and practical skills tailored to supporting trans* and gender-expansive youth, a group that faces significant challenges and is often underserved in many professional sectors.

-Compliance and leadership: The program prepares professionals to not only meet legal and ethical standards concerning inclusivity but also to lead initiatives and advocate for systemic changes within their organizations.

-Network building: Participants gain access to a network of professionals dedicated to similar values and practices, which can be invaluable for mutual support and sharing of best practices."

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe the specific forms of harassment and discrimination faced by trans* and gender-expansive youth in educational and social environments
  • 2 Describe effective strategies and interventions to support trans* and gender-expansive youth in overcoming adversity and fostering resilience
  • 3 Describe practical tools to create inclusive and supportive spaces that affirm the identities of trans* and gender-expansive youth
  • 4 Describe legal and ethical considerations relevant to protecting the rights and dignity of trans* and gender-expansive youth in various settings

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for early- and mid-career professionals who work directly with or influence youth across a variety of settings. The program brings together a diverse group of participants—including those in counseling, education, healthcare, social services, and human resources—who are committed to fostering inclusive environments for trans* and gender-expansive youth. Through this training, participants will gain essential knowledge and practical tools to better support this vulnerable population, enhancing both their professional practice and the well-being of the communities they serve.

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for entry-level and mid-career professionals.

  • Practice Setting

    • Counselors and school counselors
    • Educators and school psychologists
    • Social workers and social service professionals)
    • Pediatric healthcare providers (e.g., pediatricians, nurses, psychologists)
    • Human resources professionals
    • Professionals working in:
        • -Schools
        -Community centers
        -Healthcare facilities
        -Corporate or organizational settings

Presented By

Clark Ausloos, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Counseling Department at Oakland University

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.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Clark Ausloos, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Overview and Key Concepts: Introduction to trans* and gender-expansive identities.

  • Challenges and Impacts: Overview of the types of harassment and discrimination faced by these youth; Group discussion or poll to engage participants and surface initial thoughts.

  • Support Strategies and Inclusive Environments: Presentation of key strategies for supporting trans* and gender-expansive youth; Interactive case-study exercise to design practical, inclusive interventions for various settings.

  • Legal Framework and Practical Application: Review of legal protections and ethical considerations.

  • Closing and Resources: Recap of the session's key points and distribution of a resource list for further learning.

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.