This session will examine the resiliency factors and the strategies transgender (trans) college students use to navigate gender-dichotomous collegiate environments. The multiple intersections of college trans* students and their various social identities are highlighted as well as the importance of coping strategies for a successful college experience. One of the presenters identifies as trans* and will share his insights as well as provide first hand suggestions that will inform and assist college counselors, student affairs professionals, faculty, and administrators working with college trans* students. Additional recommendations such as the (un)learning of normative gender constructs, the use of appropriate language in the curricula, and suggestions for providing a safe environment, inside and outside the classroom, will also be explored. Affirmative- and resilience-based counseling and “helping” approaches for working with trans* college students will conclude this training.
Learning Objectives:
Awareness and understand the intersection of multiple identities of college trans students.
Strategies that trans students use to navigate the campus and the college experience.
Begin the process of (un)learning the use of traditional gender constructs.
*Counselors requiring New York State approval must contact ACA upon completion to obtain customized CE certificate
Counselors require special skills when counseling students who have experienced trauma. In this session, Richard Joseph Behun, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, ACS, Julie A. Cerrito, Ph.D., NCC, NCSC, and Eric W. Owens, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, ACS, make practical recommendations for how to counsel students at the elementary, secondary, and college levels. They discuss developmental and risk factors for students at the each level and cover trauma-related responses and treatment considerations. Dr. Behun is an assistant professor at Marywood University. Dr. Cerrito is an assistant professor and director of the school counseling program at The University of Scranton. Dr. Owens is an assistant professor and graduate program coordinator in the Department of Counselor Education at West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
Provide an overview of counseling students who have experienced trauma.
Discuss developmental and risk factors for students at the elementary, secondary, and college level.
Discuss trauma related responses and treatment considerations.
For several decades, civil rights-based protections for LGBTQ- identified individuals were increasingly solidified through case law, federal guidance, and legislation. Through the lens of Title IX, college student affairs and other equity issues resources, we will discuss how counselors can support their students and clients through awareness of legal and policy protections in school and workplace. Identifying the available legal rights and resources that can support client advocacy, whether in a school or agency setting, is vital to the focused empowerment by counselors that encourage client self advocacy.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will learn to identify and monitor LGBTQ civil rights protections in school and workplace.
Participants will learn to identify options for advocating for LGBTQ rights as well as offering students and clients tools for self advocating in a strength-based atmosphere.
