The Specialization/Certificate in LGBT Human Services and Mental Health is designed to meet the growing need for clinicians to develop competencies in working with lesbian, gay male, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, couples and families. The program focuses on assisting clinicians to develop multicultural competencies specific to the intersecting identities of LGBT clients, increase an understanding of the historical and cultural influences impacting LGBT clients, and identify best practice procedures for assessing and addressing issues in LGBT mental health. The certificate provides courses that address the competencies recommended by the American Psychological Association’s ethical guidelines for the treatment of lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations. The courses are offered as electives through the Systemwide Office of Online Education for CSPP and are available to students in all CSPP Programs and on all Alliant Campuses. The courses may be taken individually or as part of the Certificate/Specialization. Required certificate courses are offered annually and elective courses will be offered at least once every three years. Placing the courses in the online environment creates the unique opportunity for engaging Rockway core faculty from all of our campuses, as well as national and international experts in the provision of course materials. In some courses 2-4 different instructors combine their wisdom to guide students through the ever-growing research and clinical literature about the LGBT community.
All students are required to take the Foundations of LGBT Mental Health course. The remaining required units are divided into two Groups: Advanced Study Courses (in which one group within the LGBT community is explored in a more exhaustive way) and LGBT Electives (which examine therapeutic interventions across all of the LGBT community). Students are required to take at least one Advanced Study Course and at least two LGBT Electives. Additional Courses may be taken from either group to round out the 12 unit requirement. This distribution is based on the philosophy that student’s prefer either breadth or depth. For example, some students may choose to take the Foundations, Advanced Study in Transgender Issues, and all of the LGBT Electives—thus given breadth for therapeutic interventions with all groups, but deeper understanding of Transgender Issues. Other students may focus on the Advanced Study courses, taking the Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Gay Male courses while being exposed to Transgender issues in two elective courses. This assures minimal competence with all LGBT groups, but allows for greater knowledge and competence with one group.
The certificate is given when the student completes 12 units of the coursework during their graduate matriculation as described below.
Required Courses
All students completing the certificate must take the following courses:
PSY 8500 Foundations of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Mental Health (3 units)
The course Foundations of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Mental Health provides an overview of the cultural and political context surrounding the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex individuals and queer and questioning youth as a background for understanding salient psychotherapeutic issues. Developmental and relational tasks are explored. The therapeutic management of coming out; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex health concerns; the intersections of identities, abilities, ages, and sociocultural differences; the formation of families and parenting; and the internalization of oppression are among topics covered.
PSY XXXX Professional Application of LGBT Issues (2 units required unless waived)
This course functions as the method for evaluating a students’ competency in the delivery of services or outreach to the LGBT community through an established Human Services agency or medical setting. The course is intended for students seeking the certificate in LGBT Human Services who are unable through their placement process to secure a practicum or internship at an LGBT agency (an agency that serves at least 50% LGBT clients and whose official mission statement specifically includes working with the LGBT population or through an agency that agrees to allow the student to see LGBT clients as 50% of their caseload). Students typically take the course for 2 units. They are supervised concurrently by a mental health professional in the community agency or medical setting and a faculty member hired by the Systemwide Online Education Department. The required workload for the student is arrived at through mutual negotiation between the course instructor and the agency supervisor. The students’ time is expected to be approximately 4 hours per week at the agency and 2 hours per week with the course instructor and a group of no more than 6 peers. The project or intervention will be designed to meet the needs of the agency and could include the creation of an intervention or prevention project, outreach project, or client hours. Students will keep a weekly, online journal; attend weekly, live webcasted class meetings with the instructor; meet as required with the agency supervisor; and complete reading and journaling assignments. Students will design their field placements with the assistance of the instructor and the agency supervisor, in order to ensure the project meets requirements for the certificate program.
Advanced Study Courses
At least one of the Advanced Study Courses is required.
PSY 7630-50 Advanced Study of Bisexual Issues (2 units)
PSY 8500 Advanced Study of Transgender Issues (3 units)
PSY8500 Advanced Study of Lesbian Issues (2 units)
PSY 8500 Advanced Study of Gay Male Issues (2 units)
LGBT Electives
At least four units must be taken from the following:
PSY 7610-50 LGBT Couples and Families (2 units)
PSY 7605 LGBT-Affirmative Substance Abuse Treatment (2 units)
PSY 8600 Socio-cultural Diversity: LGBT People of Color (3 units)
PSY 8500 LGBT Issues in the Workplace (2 units)
Additional Electives are planned for the following content areas:
LGBT Lifespan Development (2 units)
LGBT Affirmative Psychotherapy (2 units)
LGBT Issues in Education (Pre-K through High School) (2 units)
LGBT Health and Medical Issues (2 units)
LGBT Issues in Higher Education (Colleges and Universities) (2 units)
LGBT Legal and Forensic Issues (2 units)
LGBT Public Policy/Advocacy (Local, State, National, and International Levels) (2 units)
In order to complete the certificate, it may be necessary to enroll for more than the required number of units for your program and it could add time to your matriculation at CSPP/Alliant. Please consult your Program Director and advisor about the effect of completing the certificate on your entire program of study.
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