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March Train & Gain "Transformation: A clinician's guide to best practice and the evolution of gender-affirming care"
Jonna Finocchio, LCSW (they/them) serves as the Behavioral Health Services Program Manager at the TRUE Center for Gender Diversity. They are a doctoral candidate in Public Health (DrPH) with a concentration in Community and Behavioral Health. Jonna has over 15 years of experience working with the transgender and gender-diverse community, predominantly supporting trans youth and their families. In addition to providing direct care as a behavioral health clinician throughout that time, Jonna has also created training curricula to improve and advance community providers’ understanding of gender-affirming care. They have had the opportunity to train medical providers, mental health professionals, educators and paraeducators, legal professionals, insurance representatives, child protective service employees, front office staff, and students.
Previous research has consistently found that transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals experience negative mental health outcomes in far higher numbers than their cisgender peers. A recent secondary data analysis from the Transgender Population Study found that the majority of TGD individuals (81.3%) have considered suicide at least once in their lifetime. Additionally, they were found to utilize behavioral health treatment at significantly higher rates. Despite this, the majority of behavioral health clinicians report feeling unprepared and under-educated to work with gender-diverse youth.
This course will provide clinicians with the necessary tools to deliver competent and ethical treatment to TGD youth and their families. In addition to exploring the provision of psychotherapy, this course will also identify the various treatments available to TGD individuals and the requirements for accessing care. Lastly, clinicians will learn how to write a comprehensive letter of support for TGD individuals wishing to access gender-affirming medical interventions.
Learning Objectives:
1) Understand and accurately use key terms related to gender identity, as well as identify common misconceptions and outdated language.
2) Describe the therapist’s role in providing support and guidance to transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals and their families.
3) Outline the various medical transition options available to TGD individuals, including hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries.
4) Understand the purpose and importance of letters of support for transgender individuals seeking medical transition services, and learn how to write a clear and concise letter that meets the requirements of healthcare providers and insurance companies.
Please note that many regulatory boards accept AAMFT course attendance to fulfill CE requirements, but do not have a pre-approval process. If in doubt, check with the board.
Jonna Finocchio, LCSW (they/them) serves as the Behavioral Health Services Program Manager at the TRUE Center for Gender Diversity. They are a doctoral candidate in Public Health (DrPH) with a concentration in Community and Behavioral Health. Jonna has over 15 years of experience working with the transgender and gender-diverse community, predominantly supporting trans youth and their families. In addition to providing direct care as a behavioral health clinician throughout that time, Jonna has also created training curricula to improve and advance community providers’ understanding of gender-affirming care. They have had the opportunity to train medical providers, mental health professionals, educators and paraeducators, legal professionals, insurance representatives, child protective service employees, front office staff, and students.
Previous research has consistently found that transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals experience negative mental health outcomes in far higher numbers than their cisgender peers. A recent secondary data analysis from the Transgender Population Study found that the majority of TGD individuals (81.3%) have considered suicide at least once in their lifetime. Additionally, they were found to utilize behavioral health treatment at significantly higher rates. Despite this, the majority of behavioral health clinicians report feeling unprepared and under-educated to work with gender-diverse youth.
This course will provide clinicians with the necessary tools to deliver competent and ethical treatment to TGD youth and their families. In addition to exploring the provision of psychotherapy, this course will also identify the various treatments available to TGD individuals and the requirements for accessing care. Lastly, clinicians will learn how to write a comprehensive letter of support for TGD individuals wishing to access gender-affirming medical interventions.
Learning Objectives:
1) Understand and accurately use key terms related to gender identity, as well as identify common misconceptions and outdated language.
2) Describe the therapist’s role in providing support and guidance to transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals and their families.
3) Outline the various medical transition options available to TGD individuals, including hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries.
4) Understand the purpose and importance of letters of support for transgender individuals seeking medical transition services, and learn how to write a clear and concise letter that meets the requirements of healthcare providers and insurance companies.
Please note that many regulatory boards accept AAMFT course attendance to fulfill CE requirements, but do not have a pre-approval process. If in doubt, check with the board.