Course Summary

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) individuals carry a significant risk of the risk of minority stress due to a lack of access to healthcare services and a disparity in health outcomes. There is a need for more LGBT-specific health knowledge and communication skills by health professionals involved in the care of LGBT+ people. Identifying and intervening to stop bullying and harmful treatment of minority groups, including LGBT+ groups across the age spectrum has been increasingly published in the literature in terms of state laws and public policies aimed at reducing potential maltreatment. Efforts to improve the healthcare environment by making it safe and welcoming so that LGBT+ patients can openly seek and understand their treatment options is discussed. A case report of hormonal therapy in a transgender male is presented that reviews professional guidelines for health clinicians when reviewing the benefits and risks of treatment with patients.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

• I.         Introduction
• II.        Sex and Gender
• III.       Gender Expression and Orientation
• IV.       Stigma and Social Support: Two Important Concepts
• V.       Specific Issues Related to Gender Expression
  • 1.        Gender Dysphoria
•  VI.      Bullying and Stigma
  • 1.        Mental Health Treatment
  • 2.        Access to Healthcare
• VII.      LGBT+ Concerns for Rural Communities
  • 1.        Montana State Example: Laws Protecting LGBT+
• VIII.     Educational Considerations for Health Clinicians
• IX.       Case Study: Transgender Female-to-Male
• X.       Summary

Author

Alex Holter, AA, BA, MS

Alex Holter has a Bachelor of Art in music, Associate of Art in psychology, and his Master’s of Science with emphasis in Clinical Psychology, research, sex therapy, and clinical counseling. He has worked in the field of mental health in Helena, Montana, including with LGBT+ populations of all age groups. Alex has a passion for helping people in his professional role to access evidence based health care with a high focus to integrate the healing arts of music and other creative fine arts aimed at treating the whole person. He also works with suicide prevention, trauma-based services, educating others on psychosocial issues, and advocating for better mental health care access both nationally and globally. When not working or writing, Alex enjoys playing his violin and viola or enjoying the outdoors with his dog and family.