Please assist us by completing our brief needs assessment survey, located at the bottom of this page.
Why Do We Need a Group? There are unique issues that arise for LGBTQ providers, whether we work within or outside of our community. For those who work within the queer and LGBT community, boundaries frequently blur due to the intersections of professional and social spheres, and clinical issues such as self-disclosure and transference become more complex. For those who work outside the community, feelings of safety can require special consideration. In some settings, institutional and cultural homo/bi/transphobia can frequently lead to the usage of language (by clients or staff) that is perceived by the provider as offensive or hostile, and it can be challenging to address this in a productive manner.
Transgender and gender non-conforming providers who choose any type of gender-affirmative transition face unique issues to navigate within a clinical or social services setting, and the reactions and biases of other clinicians, supervisors and clients must be addressed. Whether we receive adequate clinical supervision on these and other issues is largely dependent upon the setting where we work and the specific experience and knowledge-base of our supervisors. Over-pathologizing of trans and gender non-conforming clients remains rampant among mental health and medical providers – how can we better advocate for our clients and community, and how do we serve as agents for positive change within the mental healthcare system?
How We Make It Happen. By seeking out and creating our own network, we empower ourselves to seek support and draw upon the collective experience of the group. It is our hope to co-create this community as part of an ongoing, collective process; if you would like to become a group moderator or help promote this forum to your fellow students, friends and colleagues, please contact us at info@thequeercommons.org.
