Meeting the Pharmacotherapy Needs of LGBTQ+ Communities

The LGBTQ+ Communities in the United States are varied and diverse. Psychopharmacology has been used in the past in unethical, unconscionable ways to attempt to change LGBTQ+ people to fit a cisgender heterosexual presentation. This history, and other factors create a distrust, or at least a cautionary approach to seeking mental health care; particularly care that includes psychopharmacological interventions.

We will discuss that history and approaches to working with LGBTQ+ communities in the United States. Examples of successful interventions, and the need for LGBTQ+ Prescribing Psychologists will be highlighted.

After attending this intermediate-level program, participants will be able to:

• Explain the social construction of sex, gender, sexuality, and their relationship to LGBTQ+ psychology.
• Describe how LGBTQ+ persons struggle for social justice within historical contexts of inequality.
• Identify key approaches utilized in LGBTQ+ Psychology for interpreting issues, such as anthropology and ethnography; cultural studies and representation.

This program meets APA’s continuing education STANDARD 1.1: Program content focuses on application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that have overall consistent and credible empirical support in the contemporary peer reviewed scientific literature beyond those publications and other types of communications devoted primarily to the promotion of the approach.

This program meets APA’s continuing education GOAL 3: Program will allow psychologists to maintain, develop, and increase competencies in order to improve services to the public and enhance contributions to the profession.

Claudia Mosier, PsyD, MSCP, Illinois Association of Prescribing Psychologists

Dr. Mosier is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Illinois and Louisiana, a Medical Psychologist in Louisiana and a Prescribing Psychologist in Illinois. Her clinical focus has been LGBTQ+ individuals, chemical dependency treatment and trauma informed care. In the 1980’s she developed and teach the first PsyD course on LGBTQ competency. She was the psychologist for the first LGBTQ inpatient dual diagnosis program, and ran Living With Pride, the first LGBTQ sober living house in Chicago. She was the Director of Mental Health and Youth Services for the Center on Halsted and, with Northwestern University, developed the first APA approved LGBTQ psychology internship. For 20 years she was a consulting psychologist for the Department of Children and Family Services – working with DCFS “rainbow” youth. In 2021 she was inducted into the Chicago LGBTQ Hall of Fame. In 2022 she was appointed to the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation Licensing and Disciplinary Board.

Cosse, J., Hudson, K., & Romanelli, M. (2024). Medicine, access, spirit, and survival: An intersectional look at concepts of health among a diverse sample of LGBTQ adults. SSM. Qualitative Research in Health, 5, 100395-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmqr.2024.100395

Fadus, M., Hung, K. & Casoy, F. (2020). Considerations for LGBTQ Patients in Acute Psychiatric Settings Focus Volume 18, Issue 3 Psychotherapeutic Engagement with LGBTQ+ Patients and their Families. American Psychiatric Association ISSN 1541-4094

Hudson, H., Scheidler, B., Cremer, K., & Wright, L. (2024). Utilizing interprofessional education to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts related to gender affirming care. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, 34, 100691-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xjep.2023.100691

Lelutiu-Weinberger, C., Clark, K. A., & Pachankis, J. E. (2023). Mental health provider training to improve LGBTQ competence and reduce implicit and explicit bias: A randomized controlled trial of online and in-person delivery. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 10(4), 589–599. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000560

Kim D., J. Deirdre, S. A. M, & Daphna, S. (2016). Discrimination and Delayed Health Care Among Transgender Women and Men: Implications for Improving Medical Education and Health Care Delivery. Medical Care 54(11):p 1010-1016, |DOI: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000000583

Target Audience: Psychologists and psychology students.

Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.0 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods. 

Non Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.

*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.

If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.