Upcoming Webinar at goodthrapy.org: Working with Transgender Clients
Working with Transgender Clients:
A Person-Centered and Narrative Therapy Model
Web Conference Description
Clients with a transgender identity may seek counseling to talk about their gender identity or for another reason such as depression, anxiety, or support in navigating a specific life transition. Transgender describes a gender identity that is different than the one that is assigned to a person at birth. Transgender identities include transsexual, female-to-male, male-to-female, genderqueer, and gender variant. Providing culturally competent services to transgender clients requires both knowledge of transgender issues and a level of comfort discussing gender and sexuality issues. A person-centered and narrative therapy perspective is non-pathologizing, gives control to historically marginalized clients, and makes external oppression and discrimination visible. This workshop will review terminology, transgender identity models, challenges of living with a stigmatized identity, and will provide examples of person-centered and narrative based interventions for working with transgender clients.
This Web Conference is designed to help clinicians:
1) Define the terms gender identity, transgender, transsexual, gender variance, and other terminology related to transgender identities;
2) Learn one model of transgender coming out and identity formation;
3) Name one barrier often experienced by people who identify as transgender;
4) Learn two interventions designed for use with people who identify as transgender.
Click here for more info: http://www.goodtherapy.org/therapy-for-transgender-web-conference.html
Good Therapy Blog – Gender Rules
Gender Rules: How Does That Make You Feel?
Posted 11/14/11 at www.goodtherapy.org
When we are born, and these days often even before, the big question is, “Is it a boy or a girl?” The way this question was answered when we were born impacts us every day throughout our whole lives. This is the day we are assigned a gender. In our culture we treat boys and girls, and men and women, very differently. Everything is gendered, from toys and clothes, to emotions and ways of thinking. No one is off the hook from these gender scripts…
Read the rest of the blog here: http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/redefining-gender-rules-1114114/
Presentation 8/30/11: Working with LGBTQ Couples and Families
Working with LGBTQ Couples and Families
Presented by Damon M. Constantinides, Ph.D., LSW
Web Conference Description
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ) families have many similarities to any other kind of family, but they also have some unique differences that require additional knowledge for couple and family therapists. In educational settings these differences are sometimes either ignored completely or emphasized out of proportion leaving clinicians unprepared to meet the needs of these clients. This presentation, based on both available literature and on clinical experiences, will focus on some of the concrete differences that LGBTQ couples and families experience and some of the ways you as a clinician can increase your effectiveness with this population. Case studies, application of specific approaches and interventions, and an opportunity to ask questions will be included in this ninety minute presentation.
This Web Conference is designed to help clinicians:
1) Define the terms sexual orientation, gender identity, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer;
2) Name three characteristics that could make working with a LGBT couple or family different than working with a heterosexual couple or family;
3) Increase understanding of how gender roles and scripts impact LGBT relationships;
4) Learn at least one specific technique that is effective when working with LGBT couples and families.
Date & Time of Presentation
This 90-Minutes presentation will begin at 9:00 AM PACIFIC on 08-30-2011
Continuing Education (CE) Information
1.5 CE credits will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this Web Conference in its entirety. GoodTherapy.org is approved as a continuing education provider by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). GoodTherapy.org is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
How the Web Conference Works
In short, participants will be able to listen to the event by calling in to our teleconference center. Prior to the event, all participants will be sent an email with instructions on how to login to the teleconference and video conference center. This event will include lecture, interaction, and question and answer periods.
Registration Information
This Web Conference is available for free to GoodTherapy.org Members.
From Good Therapy: Sex and Anti-depressants
Sex and Anti-depressants
February 23rd, 2011
By Jill Denton, LMFT, CSAT, CSE, CCS
Since my last blog a number of you have asked for more information about possible sexual side effects caused by antidepressants. Before I say more – a cautionary word – I’m a psychotherapist/counselor, not a medical doctor/psychiatrist! So what I write in this blog is drawn from my (extensive) experience working with people who have challenges and/or difficulties with sex – I’m a sexologist, not a psycho-pharmacologist!
Some of the worst culprits or libido smashers are the SSRI’s (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as Effexor, Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft. Unfortunately, these are all heavily prescribed! I mentioned last month that many folks can benefit from a so-called “drug holiday” when they forgo their medication for a few days. Be aware that this intervention does NOT work for Prozac, due to the much longer time that Prozac remains in the bloodstream, compared with the other shorter-acting SSRI’s like Zoloft.
Several types of antidepressants have virtually no side effects. The most common that my clients have discovered are Wellbutrin, Xanax, and Klonopin. I’ll often suggest that new clients substitute (with the agreement of their medical doctor of course) Xanax or Klonopin for Wellbutrin because the latter can exacerbate anxiety or “agitated depression,” as it’s called by psychiatrists.
It’s also infamous for causing insomnia and headaches, which tends to make most of us anxious and certainly don’t contribute to enjoyable sexual connection! Wellbutrin is pharmacologically distinct from the SSRI’s as it enhances the neurotransmitter dopamine, which has the opposite effect on libido and orgasm of serotonin. Xanax and Klonopin are usually prescribed to combat anxiety, not serotonin, so they tend to have very few sexual side effects.
I will often recommend that people who are leery about psychotropics try St. John’s Wort, which is most effective, I’ve found, for Type A blood types (remember, I’m not prescribing, just using anecdotal experience to make these suggestions!) Because it’s not regulated as a pharmaceutical substance, I’m told that efficacy can vary widely among preparations.
Male clients have reported to me that Viagra is effective for SSRI-induced absence of orgasm, and I’ve known people of both genders swear by the botanical preparation ginkgo biloba to reverse libido, arousal and/or orgasm problems. One sex therapist colleague tells me that Viagra can be helpful for women as well, but none of my clients have reported this to me.
If switching to an alternative psychotropic is not clinically appropriate or effective, some doctors might recommend adding another medication on a daily or as-needed basis. Many people are hesitant about taking one drug, let alone two! But for those who are comfortable with it, a second medication can offer an antidote to the side effects of an otherwise helpful medication.
Most commonly a sexual savvy psychiatrist will prescribe a single low dose of Wellbutrin for clients complaining of sexual side effects from other antidepressants, employing lower does of Wellbutrin than would be necessary to treat depression. These small doses can restore the serotonin-dopamine balance that I mentioned earlier, alleviating sexual side effects.
People starting out with me often ask if I suspect that their sexual problems are relationship issues or caused by medication. I always ask them how long the sexual challenges have been occurring. SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction follows a fairly typical pattern: it begins within days or weeks of starting the new psychotropic medication. For example, a woman may report that she can no longer reach orgasm with her husband within weeks of beginning Prozac for obsessive compulsive disorder.
Women rarely volunteer this immediately, but I ask LOTS of questions, which makes it easier to discuss sexual hang-ups. Guys usually have less hesitation talking about such problems, and as one man said to be recently, “that’s why we came to a sex therapist and not the generic marriage therapist down the street!” The fact that I “coach” by phone also seems to help especially for men, who might have difficulty opening up “when the plumbing doesn’t work!”
Don’t forget – if you have questions about your medications, make sure to discuss them with your medical doctor or psychiatrist.
Link to full article: http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/sexual-side-effects-antidepressant-medication/
