Workshop Schedule:
12:00-12:15: Lunch and Workshop Introduction
12:15-1:45: Creating Safe(r) Spaces: A Concise Introduction to LGBTQIA2S+ Identity
1:45-2:20pm: Student Panel
2:20-2:30pm: Break
2:30-3:30pm: Minority Stress & History of mental health treatment for LGBTQIA2S+.
Introduction to Core Competencies
3:30-4:00pm: Break-Out Table Discussions on Core Competencies
4:00-4:30pm: Final Discussion and Questions
Workshop Full Description:
Three speakers will lead you through important issues in treatment of Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning+ clients in the Mental Health field. The first part of the
workshop presented by Adrienne Conley will help you to become familiar with current
myths and stereotypes, learn definitions and terminology, Cover gender identity, gender
expression, sex, & orientation and will help you engage in creating a safe space in your
practice. The first part of the workshop finishes out with a panel of LGBTQIA2S individuals
speaking to their experience.
The second half of the workshop presented by Patrick RichardsFink, LPC will review the
history of mental health treatment in the LGBTQIA2S community and Competencies for
working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Questioning, and Transgendered Individuals
from the Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Counseling as
well as Minority stress and trauma and the impact of these issues in the therapist/client
relationship.
The workshop ends with a session by Jeanne Williamson, MSW, LICSW and Patrick
RichardsFink, LPC with breakout table discussions on several core competencies that affect
therapists from the Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues in
Counseling including 1) Awareness of the effects internalized
homophobia/biphobia/transphobia may have on individuals and their mental health. 2)
Understanding the importance of appropriate use of language for LGBTQ individuals and
how certain labels (such as Gay or Queer) require contextualization to be utilized in a
positive and affirming manner. 3) Acknowledge and affirm identities as determined by the
individual, including preferred labels, reference terms for partners, and level of “outness.”
Objectives:
· Learn about and discuss current myths and stereotypes centered around LGBTQIA2S
clients
· Understand the importance of knowing current terminology and use of accurate
pronouns in your practice
· Formulate and strategize around ways to create a safe space and practice for
LGBTQIA2S clients
· Demonstrate understanding of specialized core competencies in working with
LGBTQIA2S clients
·
Identify impact of minority stress on the mental health of LGBTQIA2S clients
· Walk away with a better understanding of relationship building skills and the
importance of this in your practice with LGBTQIA2S clients.
Presenter Bio’s:
Patrick RichardsFink, LPC:
Patrick is a Licensed Professional Counselor. He believes that all people have common
experiences to share, cultural differences to celebrate, and unique experiences that can be
understood through these similarities and differences. Patrick’s theoretical lens is existential
therapy, which tailors therapy to individuals and uses a variety of techniques to help people
heal themselves through the therapeutic relationship. He has experience with all parts of the
LGBT community, and also with adults and adolescents on the autism spectrum. His practice
centers on work with individuals, same- and mixed-orientation couples, and people in other
relationship structures. Patrick is a bisexual activist and former member of the board of BiNET
USA whose practice focuses on LGBTQA and allied communities, including polyamory, kink,
and furry. Patrick has a BS from St. Cloud State University and MS in Community Counseling
from St. Cloud State University.
Jeanne Williamson, MSW, LICSW
Jeanne has been at the University of Minnesota Morris Student Counseling Office since 2014
and in addition to counseling, she also serves as the Wellness Center and Violence Prevention
Coordinator. Jeanne started working in the mental health field in 2006 and has worked in a
variety of settings including inpatient, intensive outpatient and outpatient settings as a social
worker, therapist and supervisor. Jeanne believes in meeting clients where they are at and that
developing a connection with individuals is the cornerstone to work in the mental health field.
Jeanne uses an eclectic approach to therapy which includes cognitive behavioral therapy and
narrative therapy. She also continues to enjoy utilizing psychoeducation as a way for students
to gain a better understanding of themselves and mental illness and learn a multitude of new
ways to cope. Jeanne specializes in group work and leads a Depression/Anxiety psychotherapy
group at UMM. She has a BA from Concordia College Moorhead and a Master of Social Work
from the University of Minnesota. She has supervised a peer lead LGBTQIA2S+ support group
on campus and sits on the Queer Issues Committee.
Adrienne Conley, BS, MA, M.Ed.
Adrienne Conley is the current Coordinator for LGBTQ Programs at the University of Minnesota
Morris (UMM). They serve as the lead trainer for Morris Safe Zone, a LGBTQIA2S+ workshop
focused on allyship development. They advise the student organization Morris Queer Student
Initiative for Equality and assist with LGBTQIA2S+ programming on the Morris campus. They are a
member of the Morris Area PFLAG, an At-Large Representative for the MN GLBTA Campus Alliance,
and Chair of the Queer Issues Committee at UMM. In 2015-16, they presented a workshop titled
“Little Queer on the Prairie: Making Meaning of Rural Queer Identity” at the Minnesota Out! Campus
Conference at Winona State University, the Midwest Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender, and Ally
Campus Conference at Purdue University, and the F-Word Conference held at UMM. Adrienne is
currently pursuing their doctoral degree at Colorado State University in Higher Education
Leadership. Their research is focused on LGBTQIA2S+ identity development and Queer student
experiences in rural college environments. They earned a BS from Heidelberg University, an M.A. in
Political Science from Ball State University, and an M.Ed. in College Student Personnel with a
Women’s Studies graduate certificate from Ohio University.