PAWNY Conference/Workshop - "New Challenges for Mental Health Professionals in Treating Individuals with Gender Variance and Gender Dysphoria"

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Location: Hotel Henry Urban Resort Conference Center - 444 Forest Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14213

Speakers: Lisa Anllo, Ph.D (Private Practice in Couples/Sex Therapy), Tom Mazur, Psy.D. & Danielle Cook, MS, LMHC (Co-Directors of The Center for Psychosexual Health)

Conference Summary:

In recent years there has been a global trend towards an alternative model of care for gender variance/gender dysphoria (GV/GD) that expedites access to medical treatments without a significant mental health component. At the same time, there are clients who may still benefit from MH care and many physicians and insurance companies still require letters of referral from MHP’s for medical care. Yet few MHP’s have training and experience in this area. The purpose of this introductory training is to raise awareness of the complexity of the challenges confronting MHP’s when presented with a case involving GV/GD. Following this conference, the option for additional small group training will be available for participants who are interested in providing care for this population.

Target Audience:

Licensed Mental Health Professionals including: Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, Social Workers, and LMHCs. We are proud to have the co-sponsorship of the University at Buffalo Counseling Services who will provide 5.5 CE credits (additional fee of $10) for Psychologists, Social Workers, and LMHCs.

The University at Buffalo Counseling Services is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

The University at Buffalo Counseling Services maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The University at Buffalo Counseling Services is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0504.

The University at Buffalo Counseling Services is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0129.

Conference Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to describe the current controversy regarding psychological assessment and treatment of individuals with GV/GD and name the 2 ethical principles that are in conflict when determining optimal care for clients with GV/GD across the lifespan.
2. Participants will be able to identify at least 2 main resources that are helpful in providing guidelines for MHP’s in delivering care for GV/GD clients.
3. Participants will be able to list the most common differential diagnoses that may be overlapping with GV/GD and describe an integrative model for assessment and treatment of general MH issues alongside gender identity concerns.

Conference Schedule:

• 8:30 - 9:00 - Sign-In & Continental Breakfast (Included)
• 9:00 - 10:30 - Morning A: Discussion of social and political influences that have led to de-pathologizing of diversity in gender identity and gender dysphoria. This has also led to questioning of the role that MH professionals should play in providing assessment and treatment. We will challenge the assumption that MH care is no longer relevant in the care of individuals with GV/GD. (Break).
• 10:45 - 12:15 - Morning B: Discussion of professional guidelines such as the WPATH Standards of Care, DSM, APA, Endocrine Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics and what message they convey regarding the role of the MH professional.
• 12:15 - 1:30 - Lunch Buffet (Included)
• 1:30 - 3:00 - Afternoon A: Discussion of the unique challenges facing the clinician working systemically with families of prepubertal children and adolescents with GV/GD in today’s world. (Break)
• 3:15 - 4:30 - Afternoon B: Open panel discussion with moderator. Participants will have the opportunity for extended Q & A with panel of presenters allowing audience to relate their own clinical experiences and cases. Possible topics will include discussing challenges we have faced in our role as providers who believe in the value of assessment/screening and integration with psychotherapy, how we handle the pressures from clients associated with gatekeeper role, and how we as MHP’s relate to medical care providers who may lack understanding of process of MH evaluation.

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If you are a psychologist or psychology doctoral student but not currently a PAWNY Member, you can register for membership on the PAWNY website prior to event registration.