Brattleboro Retreat conference May 29 focuses on working with gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender clients

The Brattleboro Retreat will offer two opportunities for mental health professionals to attend a full-day continuing education workshop entitled “Working with Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and Transgender Clients: What Every Counselor Needs to Know.”

Enrollment is still open for Thursday, May 28th in Holyoke, Massachusetts at the Log Cabin, and for Friday, May 29th on the Brattleboro Retreat campus. Both workshops take place from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Those interested in registering for either event should call 802-258-4359 or register on-line at www.brattlebororetreat.org . Cost is $140 and includes lunch. CEUs will be awarded.

Workshop presenter Joe Amico, M. Div., LISAC, CAS, is an internationally-known speaker and author on gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender (GLBT) addiction issues. He currently serves as President of the National Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender Addiction Professionals and Their Allies (NALGAP) and as Vice President for Program Development and Community Educator for Alternatives, a gay-owned and operated alcohol, drug and mental health program based in Los Angeles, California.

This workshop will cover the basics needed to effectively treat GLBT clients. Topics will include: the six stages of “coming out”; ways to make the intake and office experience more GLBT affirmative; understanding how cultural victimization affects addiction; sub-groups within the GLBT community; techniques to help clients heal from cultural victimization; and the difference between “Homophobia” and “Heterosexism.”

The Brattleboro Retreat, founded in 1834, is a not-for-profit, regional specialty psychiatric hospital and addictions treatment center, providing a full range of diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitation services for individuals of all ages and their families. Nationally recognized for its premiere treatment in behavioral healthcare, the Brattelboro Retreat offers a high quality, individualized, comprehensive continuum of care including inpatient, partial hospitalization, residential and outpatient treatment.