1 Hour / 1 CE

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Sexual Identity Development & Acceptance: Essential Insights for Working With Sexual Minority Clients is presented by Jared Boot-Haury, PsyD. 

This program provides a comprehensive exploration of sexual identity development and acceptance, focusing on the unique experiences of sexual minority individuals. Participants gain insight into the critical developmental stages of sexual identity and the challenges these individuals face as they navigate their sexual orientation in environments shaped by heteronormativity. Through evidence-based models and frameworks for assessing sexual identity confusion and conflict, the presentation equips mental health providers with tools to better understand and support their clients.

Participants learn how to address critical issues such as internalized stigma, minority stress, and the psychological toll of identity negotiation. The session emphasizes affirming practices that promote sexual self-acceptance and offers strategies for providers to foster resilience in their clients. Special consideration is given to cultural humility and applying ethical principles to ensure care remains compassionate and inclusive.

Through case examples, attendees practice applying these frameworks in real-world settings, focusing on assessing the intersectional identities of sexual minority individuals and fostering a therapeutic environment where clients can explore and affirm their sexual identities. This program is designed for mental health professionals with intermediate sexual minority knowledge who are committed to enhancing their competency in sexual minority affirmative care.

This program is uniquely valuable because it addresses the critical intersection of sexual identity development and mental health and is inclusive of asexual individuals. Using evidence-based models, the program provides participants with immediately available and actionable tools to improve treatment planning and support clients in achieving self-acceptance.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe two important areas of treatment planning for clients experiencing sexual identity confusion and/or conflict
  • 2 Describe the three stages of the Developmental Model of the Sexual Minority Closet and how each of the stages relates to mental health
  • 3 Describe the difference between sexual orientation rumination and obsession
  • 4 Describe two sources of support for sexual identity development and acceptance outside of individual psychotherapy

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for clinicians who wish to deepen their ability to support sexual minority clients, particularly those specializing in LGBTQ+ mental health or working in areas where identity, stigma, and resilience are central to treatment.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Psychologists
    • Psychiatrists
    • Social Workers
    • Marriage and Family Therapists
    • Licensed Professional Counselors
    • Clinical Nurse Specialists
    • Case Managers
    • School Counselors

  • Experience Level

    This training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various experience levels in working with sexual minority clients.

    • Beginner: Clinicians with limited experience or foundational knowledge of sexual identity development and affirmative care for sexual minority individuals.

    • Intermediate: Clinicians with some experience or prior training in LGBTQ+ mental health who are seeking to deepen their understanding of evidence-based models and enhance their skills in treatment planning and support.

    • Advanced: Clinicians with extensive experience in LGBTQ+ mental health who are looking to refine their practice, integrate advanced frameworks, and contribute to the development of inclusive, affirming clinical environments.

  • Practice Setting

    Clinicians practice in affirming, culturally humble behavioral health environments where sexual identity development, minority stress, and resilience are central to care. They work within systems-informed, multidisciplinary teams serving diverse sexual minority clients across the lifespan and levels of care.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • VA hospitals
    • Community mental health centers
    • Private or group practices
    • University counseling centers
    • Academic medical centers
Presented By

Jared Boot-Haury, PsyD, ABPP

Jared Boot-Haury, Psy.D., M.B.A., A.B.P.P., is a board-certified and licensed clinical psychologist and the former Goldblum-Carr Postdoctoral Fellow in LGBTQ+ Psychology Research at Palo Alto University. Specializing in LGBTQ+ health, sexual identity development, and minority stress, Dr. Boot-Haury works as an LGBTQ+ specialty psychologist at Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center. They have received multiple awards, including the Award for Service and Social Justice from the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Sexual and Gender Minority Special Interest Group and the APA Division 44 (Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity) Transgender Research Award. Dr. Boot-Haury has authored 8 first-author publications in addition to presenting over 25 peer-reviewed conference presentations. Their clinical work focuses on evidence-based therapies such as CBT, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, and ACT, with an emphasis on LGBTQ+ individuals and LGBTQ+ people in relationships. Dr. Boot-Haury supports professionals pursuing certification through the World Professional Association for Transgender Health as a GEI SOC8 Certified Mentor and an American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists Certified Sex Therapist and Certified Sex Therapist Supervisor, where they promote equitable healthcare access for LGBTQ+ populations and individuals seeking sex therapy services. They hold a Doctorate and Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from the Michigan School of Psychology and a Graduate Certificate in LGBT Health Policy from George Washington University.


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Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Introduction and Foundational Concepts

    • Overview of sexual identity development models (e.g., Developmental Model of the Sexual Minority Closet)
    • Understanding minority stress and internalized stigma in sexual minority clients.
    • Brief introduction to evidence-based frameworks for assessing sexual identity confusion and conflict.

  • Interactive Case Application

    • Present a case study for attendees to apply the developmental models and assessment tools.
    • Use of polls to gauge audience responses and discussion of the results.
    • Facilitated Q&A to explore real-world clinical implications and strategies.

  • Affirmative Practices and Takeaways

    • Review key strategies for promoting self-acceptance and resilience in sexual minority clients.
    • Brief group discussion on integrating cultural humility and affirming practices into therapeutic settings.
    • Conclude with a recap of key takeaways and open the floor for final questions.

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.