Somewhere Over the Rainbow –
Counseling Transgender Individuals and Those
Who Defy the Gender Binary
Presented by Carol Fetzner, M.S., LCPC, NCC, Michelle M. Fisher, DSW, LCSW, 
& Brianna L. Sorensen, LCSW, CADC

This training is sponsored by the
McHenry County Regional Office of Education

 Friday, October 4, 2019 - 9:00 am to 3:00 pm 
       FREE: 5.5 CEU's for attending this training  
(IAODAPCA & CPDU's included)
Registration is closed. The registration limit has been met.
(If you'd like to be added to a wait list, or are interested in attending this session at a later date, please contact kdoherty@mc708.org)

The learning continues during the noon hour with a panel presentation.
*Please bring your lunch.
Pastries/cookies & beverages provided by PFLAG McHenry

Who Should Attend: Psychologist (Ph.D), Social Worker (MSW), Mental Health Counselor, Mental Health Therapist, and other mental health & school professionals. 

Objectives:
 The participants of this workshop will:

• Understand current research concerning increased risk for transgender youth; current laws and policies impacting transgender individuals; and historical aspects of homophobia and transphobia.
• Understand current LGBTQ terminology.
• Understand gender through the developmental stages
• Identify best practices for working with transgender youth in the school setting and understand current mental health practices - with an emphasis on advocacy and the affirmative care model - when working in the clinical setting.
• Understand WPATH guidelines and learn how to develop effective treatment plans.
• Recognize and address countertransference and internalized homophobia and transphobia in the clinical setting.
• Learn how to effectively interface with medical professionals, school personnel, and community agencies.
• Identify ethical considerations when working with transgender youth.
• Work effectively with family members of transgender clients.

Summary: 
Do you ever wonder how to provide effective counseling to transgender clients and their families?  Do you find yourself confused about all of the gender labels and what they mean?  Do you have questions about policies and laws as they pertain to transgender individuals?  Would you like to be a better advocate for them in their school and community settings?  Research indicates that transgender individuals are at a significantly higher risk for negative academic, social, and emotional outcomes as well as at an increased risk for verbal and physical harassment in the school setting and wider community. This training will focus on how to treat gender dysphoria, differentiate gender issues from other mental health concerns, learn counseling techniques for working with the transgender population.  Objectives for this training also include learning how to support and advocate for transgender youth in the school setting and community with a focus on developing clinical competencies while keeping ethical considerations in mind.

Part I: Transgender 101 
The morning portion of this workshop will provide a foundation for understanding gender, learning about current research, laws and policies; understanding LGBTQ terminology; understanding the developmental stages of gender; discussing best practices for working with transgender youth in the school setting; understanding current mental health practices, with an emphasis on advocacy and an affirmative care model; understanding WPATH guidelines; and developing treatment plans.

*Please join us for lunch while a panel of parents and transgender individuals discuss their experiences.

Part II: Working with transgender individuals in the clinical setting 
The afternoon session of this workshop will focus more intensely on working within the clinical setting with a focus on recognizing and addressing countertransference, internalized homophobia and transphobia; interfacing with medical professionals, school personnel, and community organizations; advocating for your client in the school setting; and working effectively with families.  Case studies will be provided and discussed.

Presenter: Carol Fetzner MS, NCC, LCPC

Carol Fetzner MS, NCC, LCPC is the executive director and founder of Northwest Treatment Counseling Associates, group private practice with offices in Woodstock and Elgin.  She has been a practicing outpatient therapist for 27 years.  Her clinical expertise includes the assessment and treatment of gender dysphoria for individuals of all ages with an emphasis on children and adolescents.  She periodically offers and facilitates a teen transgender group in the Woodstock location.  She is an active member of PFLAG and a dedicated ally for the LGBT population.  She graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1991 with a Masters Degree in Counseling. 

Presenter: Michelle M. Fisher, DSW, LCSW

Dr. Michelle (Shelley) Fisher earned her Bachelor’s degree from James Madison University and her Master’s degree in Social Work from Boston College.  She received her Doctorate in Social Work from George Williams College where she focused on LGB and transgender adolescents.  Dr. Fisher’s 25-year social work career includes child protective services, adoption, medical and forensic social work, teaching, private practice and for the past 10 years, school social work.

 Presenter: Brianna L. Sorensen, LCSW, CADC

Brianna Sorensen earned her Bachelors in Science and Social Work from The Ohio State University and her Master’s in Social Work from Jane Addams College of Social work at University of Illinois at Chicago. She is currently working towards her PhD. in Social Work at Loyola University Chicago focusing on LGBTQ+ and TGNC folx. Brianna has worked as a mental health and substance abuse therapist for the past seven years in both community mental health and private practice. She also works part time as an adjunct professor at Aurora University and Loyola University Chicago.