Relational Cultural Theory (RCT) Approach toward Sexual Health of Women who have Sex with Women
Presented by Joy S. Whitman, Ph.D.
This program was recorded on April 16, 2021
Access provided upon registration on “My Courses” page
Relational Cultural Theory (RCT) is a feminist approach to counseling that emphasizes human development through relational connection, explores the impact of culture and social systems on emotional and psychological development, and (Jordan, 2010; Walker, 2008), and underscores how development and relationships with others cannot be understood separately from how those connections have been “raced, engendered, sexualized, and situated along dimensions of class, physical ability, religion or whatever constructions carry ontological significance in the culture” (Walker, 2008, p. 90). Wellness, therefore, is fostered through relationships that encourage empathy, authenticity and empowerment wherein individuals can realize their relational competence and create relationships that can sustain disruption and relational injury (Jordan, 2010). When counseling cisgender women in same-sex relationships, maintaining an RCT approach will allow the clinician to review and examine how clients have been impacted by heteronormative societal messages of what it means to be female, to be sexual as a woman, and how to perform in relationships.
In this webinar, we will discuss what RCT is as theory and how to apply it to counseling cisgender women in same-sex relationships. This will offer the clinician a lens that supports a nonheteronormarive approach and which situates women’s development within a cultural framework.
Access provided upon registration on “My Courses” page
This program, when attended in its entirety, offers 2.0 CEs for Psychologists, 2.0 IL CEUS for Counselors and Social Workers, or 2.0 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSW, and LMFTs.
Relational Cultural Theory (RCT) is a feminist approach to counseling that emphasizes human development through relational connection, explores the impact of culture and social systems on emotional and psychological development, and (Jordan, 2010; Walker, 2008), and underscores how development and relationships with others cannot be understood separately from how those connections have been “raced, engendered, sexualized, and situated along dimensions of class, physical ability, religion or whatever constructions carry ontological significance in the culture” (Walker, 2008, p. 90). Wellness, therefore, is fostered through relationships that encourage empathy, authenticity and empowerment wherein individuals can realize their relational competence and create relationships that can sustain disruption and relational injury (Jordan, 2010). When counseling cisgender women in same-sex relationships, maintaining an RCT approach will allow the clinician to review and examine how clients have been impacted by heteronormative societal messages of what it means to be female, to be sexual as a woman, and how to perform in relationships.
In this webinar, we will discuss what RCT is as theory and how to apply it to counseling cisgender women in same-sex relationships. This will offer the clinician a lens that supports a nonheteronormarive approach and which situates women’s development within a cultural framework.
After attending this intermediate-level program, participants will be able to:
- Describe the influence a heteronormative lens has on the development of relationships for cisgender women in same-sex relationships
- Describe the utility of RCT when counseling cisgender women in same-sex relationships
This program meets APA’s continuing education standard 1.3: Program content focuses on topics related to psychological practice, education, or research other than application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that are supported by contemporary scholarship grounded in established research procedures.
This program meets APA’s continuing education goal 1: Program is relevant to psychological practice, education, and/or science.
General Admission: $50.00
The Chicago School Staff/Faculty/Students/Alumni: $25.00
Community Partners/Site Supervisors: $25.00
Non-TCSPP Students: $25.00
ACSSW Members: Free
(Please email [email protected] for coupon code)
Refund Policy: 100% of tuition is refundable up to 48 hours before the program. Within 48 hours of the program, and at any point in Homestudy format, tuition is nonrefundable.
Joy S. Whitman, Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Clinical Full Professor at the Family Institute of Northwestern University
Joy S. Whitman, PhD, is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Missouri and a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) in Illinois. She currently is Clinical Full Professor at the Family Institute of Northwestern University in the master’s Counseling@ Northwestern program. She is Past-President of the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities, was the Governing Council representative for the division, and served as a member of the ACA Ethics Committee. She is a board member of the International Academy for LGBT+ Psychology and Related Fields and serves on the editorial board for the Journal of LGBT in Counseling. She is the coeditor of Homework, assignments, and handouts for LGBTQ+ clients: A mental health and counseling handbook; The therapist’s notebook for lesbian, gay, and fisexual clients; Preparing the Educator in Counselor Education; and Skill Development in Counselor Education. She has published and presented on affirmative counseling with and training of affirmative therapy with LGBTQ+ clients. She maintains a private practice and focuses her practice on working with the LGBTQ+ communities.
Bloom, Z. D., Blount, A. J., Dillman Taylor, D. L., & Lipkin, G. (2019). The Sexual Values and Behaviors Discrepancy Model. Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education, 1(2), 69-79.
Jordan, J. V. (2017). Relational cultural therapy. In M. Kopala & M. Keitel (Eds.), Handbook of counseling women (2nd ed., pp. 63-73). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Singh, A.A. and Moss, L. (2016), Using Relational‐Cultural Theory in LGBTQQ counseling: Addressingheterosexism and enhancing relational competencies. Journal of Counseling & Development, 94,398-404. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12098
Target Audience: All mental health disciplines.
Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 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.
Counselors/Clinical Counselors. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for counselors and clinical counselors. License Number: 197.000159
Social Workers. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for social workers. License Number: 159.001036
MFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs. Course meets the qualifications for 2.0 hours of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. If you are licensed outside of California please check with your local licensing agency to to determine if they will accept these CEUs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to offer continuing education programming for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an accredited or approved postsecondary institution that meets the requirements set forth in Sections 4980.54(f)(1), 4989.34, 4996.22(d)(1), or 4999.76(d) of the Code.
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.