Understanding and Working with Gender Expansive Clients: A Guide for Psychologist Cis Allies

Understanding and Working with Gender Expansive Clients: A Guide for Psychologist Cis Allies

November 15, 2019

Registration: 8:30am Program: 9am to 12pm

Presented By:  Heidi J. Dalzell, PsyD, CEDS and Kayti Protos, LCSW

Villanova University- Health Services Building Room 200

800 E. Lancaster Avenue Villanova, PA 19085

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

3.0 CE

Clinicians have seen increase numbers of gender diverse and transgender clients. Such clients present with body image difficulties, substance abuse, depression and other concerns. Many psychologists are cisgender – and while we would like to be allies have difficulty knowing where to begin.

This workshop will help to increase psychologists’ understanding of working with transgender clients, focusing on the interconnections between gender identity, gender minority stress and the experience of a gender identity that does not match the body. We will describe a trans affirmative model that validates client experiences while promoting body and identity acceptance. The presenters will provide case examples, and concrete activities clinicians can take away and apply to their work.

Objectives:

At the end of the workshop participants will be able to:

1. Define common terms associated with gender identity.
2. Describe the interaction between gender dysphoria, gender minority stressors, and body image
3. Identify and explain the assessment and treatment planning for trans clients
4. Apply a gender-affirmative approach to traditional therapeutic for practices working with transgender and expansive clients.

Heidi J. Dalzell, PsyD, CEDS, is a Licensed Psychologist, Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and an iaedp Approved Supervisor. Dr. Dalzell graduated summa cum laude from Immaculata University. Dr. Dalzell brings over 20 years of clinical experience to her role as Clinical Director of the Bucks LGBTQ Center and Bucks Eating Support Collaborative.
Dr. Dalzell has a busy private practice. Special areas of interest include body image and eating disorders, particularly in LGBTQ individuals. Dr. Dalzell is passionate about promoting healthy body image, sexuality and self-acceptance in LGBTQ youth, especially those that are in the formative process of identifying their sexual and/or gender identities.
Dr. Dalzell is a member of APA Division 44 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Issues/ Psychology of Sexual Orientation & Gender Diversity, and is active in the Greater Philadelphia chapter of the International Association for Eating Disorders Professionals, where she serves as board president.

Dr. Dalzell is also a writer and speaker at professional and community events. Along with Kayti Protos, Dr. Dalzell has co-authored A Clinician’s Guide to Gender Identity and BodyImage: PracticalSupport for Working with Transgender and Gender Expansive Clients. Past presentations have included Healing Through Creativity: The Body and Trauma in LGBTQ+ Clients, The Indiscriminate Nature of Domestic Violence: Intimate Partner Violence in Transgender and Non-Binary Relationships and Dominant, and Logical, Unemotional Deconstructing Male Eating Disorders.

Kayti Protos, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker in the State of Pennsylvania. She brings over 12 years clinical experience to her role as Clinical Coordinator of the Bucks LGBTQ Center. Kayti earned her Masters in Social Work from Tennessee State University through the Middle Tennessee Collaborative Masters in Social Work Program. She holds a B.A. in Women’s & Gender Studies and Communication Studies from Vanderbilt University.

Kayti has experience working in various levels of treatment through her positions as clinician at Steps to Recovery in Levittown, PA, a partial hospitalization and intensive
outpatient program for clients with addiction and coccurring eating disorder, trauma and other mental health issues. She assisted them in obtaining certification on the Health Equality Index through the Human Rights Campaign and is a member of the Voices of Equality committee, representing marginalized voices and increasing access to care for LGBTQI clients. Kayti served as the clinical coordinator and counselor of the Young Men’s Program at Cumberland Heights, a residential addictions treatment center in Nashville, TN; program coordinator for Project Safe at Vanderbilt University–providing crisis intervention and support services for individuals impacted by power based personal violence; and graduate intern at an extended care program for women with addiction, eating disorder and trauma through the Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN.
Kayti is experienced as a community organizer and presenter at professional and community based events. She has presented on the following topics: working with LGBTQ+ client communities; intersection of eating disorder and substance use disorders; creating an enviornment for change in young adult treatment; power-based personal violence; bystander intervention; and how to help a friend with an eating disorder.

PSCP: The Psychology Network is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. PSCP: The Psychology Network maintains responsibility for this program and its content.