Universal Sexuality: An Inclusive Approach to Sexuality and Disability
Presented by Amanda Tashjian, PhD, CRC, LPC (AZ, MI), LCPC (IL)
This program was recorded on October 15, 2021
Access provided upon registration on “My Courses” page
Historically, people with disabilities have been viewed as asexual beings whose sexuality and gender does not factor into identity, partnering, or the human experience. The lack of awareness of people with disabilities as having experiences as sexual beings had led to a lack of emphasis on sexuality and gender in counseling for people with disabilities. The dismissiveness of the sexual person and how sexuality and gender relate to identity is detrimental to the counseling relationship and leaves individuals with disabilities facing challenges when discussing such issues with their counseling practitioner.
This program will focus on the foundations of sexuality and gender-based counseling for individuals with disabilities and how a universal approach to sexuality and gender is applicable to individuals with disabilities, like how universal technology applies to all people. Using the lens of inclusivity, this program will discuss approaches to discussing sexuality and gender, challenges specific to individuals with disabilities regarding sexuality and gender, and will emphasize the importance of practitioner training in the area of disability.
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.
Historically, people with disabilities have been viewed as asexual beings whose sexuality and gender does not factor into identity, partnering, or the human experience. The lack of awareness of people with disabilities as having experiences as sexual beings had led to a lack of emphasis on sexuality and gender in counseling for people with disabilities. The dismissiveness of the sexual person and how sexuality and gender relate to identity is detrimental to the counseling relationship and leaves individuals with disabilities facing challenges when discussing such issues with their counseling practitioner.
This program will focus on the foundations of sexuality and gender-based counseling for individuals with disabilities and how a universal approach to sexuality and gender is applicable to individuals with disabilities, like how universal technology applies to all people. Using the lens of inclusivity, this program will discuss approaches to discussing sexuality and gender, challenges specific to individuals with disabilities regarding sexuality and gender, and will emphasize the importance of practitioner training in the area of disability.
After attending this intermediate-level program, participants will be able to:
- Identify biases that people with disabilities experience related to sexuality and gender.
- Identify and implement therapeutic strategies that decrease stigma and increase client well-being as related to clients with disabilities and their sexuality.
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 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.
Amanda Tashjian, PhD, CRC, LPC (AZ, MI), LCPC (IL)
Dr. Tashjian is an assistant professor of practice in the Department of Disability and Psychoeducational Studies at The University of Arizona. She earned an M.S. degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, specializing in psychiatric rehabilitation and a Ph.D. degree in Rehabilitation Counseling Education with a minor in Clinical Psychology from The Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. In the past, she worked as a rehabilitation counselor with transition age youth with disabilities, provided trainings around sexuality and gender to rehabilitation and mental health counselors in special education settings, and upheld a small private practice serving individuals with and without disabilities. In terms of professional service, Dr. Tashjian has been an advocate for bridging the gap between the disability community and the LGBTQ community. Further, she has participated in efforts strengthening the clinical training of future rehabilitation counselors. Her research interests are in the areas of psychosocial aspects of disability and counseling competency. Dr. Tashjian has conducted research in the areas of sexuality and disability, gender and disability, sense of community, disability rights, psychiatric rehabilitation, and substance abuse.
Cooper, E., Guillebaud, J., & Williams, M. (2017). Sexuality and disability: a guide for everyday practice. CRC Press.
Mona, L. R., Syme, M. L., & Cameron, R. P. (2014). Sexuality and disability: A disability-affirmative approach to sex therapy.
Shakespeare, T. (2018). Power and prejudice: issue of gender, sexuality and disability. In Disability and Society (pp. 191-214). Routledge.
Target Audience: Healthcare and Mental healthcare professionals, University faculty and students.
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.