The Rockway Certificate in LGBT Human Services and Mental Health

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, transgender, and intersex (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 student to engage 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 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 as a prerequisite to taking the other courses. All students enrolled in the Certificate/Specialization are required to take the Professional Application of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues Course. The remaining required units are divided into two Groups: Advanced Study Courses (where 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. The philosophy behind this distribution is based upon the student’s preference for breadth versus depth. This assures minimal competence with all LGBT groups, but allows for greater knowledge and competence with one group.