Inspired Allies
Certification Course
Affirming Practices with LGBTQIA+ Clients
Supporting You to Be an Inspired Ally ™
to the LGBTQIA+ Community
Many individuals want to become better allies and increase their understanding and skills in working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community but need a safe space to advance their knowledge without judgment or fear. Inspired Allies is a 3-module curriculum designed to support individuals in enhancing BOTH their confidence and competence to better serve and be allies to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Currently, Inspired Consulting Group offers the Inspired Allies certification for two industries, Behavioral Health and Education. Stay in touch with us for new modules coming soon! However, if you are interested in a certification course customized to your specific industry, please contact us.
For Behavioral Health Providers
A 3-module curriculum designed to support providers in enhancing BOTH confidence and competence to better serve the LGBTQIA+ community.
As behavioral health providers, we have an obligation to not only meet our clients where they are but to also advance our areas of competency when we are presented with client needs beyond our existing comfort zones or areas of expertise.
Far too often, LGBTQIA+ clients are referred out to other providers by well-intentioned clinicians who question whether they have the skill set needed to effectively treat these clients.
Let me tell you a little secret…YOU have the capacity to be an informed, affirming, AND effective provider for your LGBTQIA+ clients. In this 3-part training, participants will have the opportunity to learn, reflect, and challenge biases along their way towards developing new CONFIDENCE and COMPETENCE in working with the LGBTQIA+ community. It may take some assistance from others to help you advance your clinical skills and increase your comfort, but you CAN do this important work.
MODULE 1
LGBTQIA+ Community 101
A combined 101 and 201 training for health care professionals seeking to better support LGBTQIA+ individuals accessing services. This module will provide an overview of essential terms and concepts and will focus on how to combat health care disparities for this population by increasing competencies in the areas of LGBTQIA+ affirming practices and representation.
MODULE 2
Clinical & Ethical Considerations
In Module 2 of the Inspired Allies certificate course, participants will gain valuable skills and an appreciation for how to best create more welcoming, safe, and affirming environments for their LGBTQIA+ clients. Participants will learn evidence-based clinical and documentation skills, as well as review ethical considerations, for working with LGBTQIA+ clients and their support systems.
MODULE 3
Supporting Families & Caregivers
As providers, we know it is essential for queer youth to experience support and acceptance from families; qualities which are known to have a significant positive impact on youth mental health, well-being, and resilience. In Module 3, participants will learn best practice tools, tips, and techniques to become more intentional and affirming in supporting parents and families with accepting and caring for their LGBTQIA+ child.
For Educators & Administrators
A 3-module curriculum designed to support educators and administrators in enhancing BOTH confidence and competence to better support LGBTQIA+ youth and families.
Educators play a vital role in helping to create supportive and safe environments for students who identify as LGBTQIA+ and their families. By acknowledging and respecting each student’s identity, educators can help to reduce bullying and discrimination, which are known to be significant barriers to the academic and social success of LGBTQIA+ students.
The fact is, when LGBTQIA+ students feel supported, their academic performance and psychological wellbeing improve. They are more likely to participate fully in educational opportunities and less likely to experience mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. By creating more affirming classroom spaces for LGBTQIA+ students, educators not only support the individual growth, resilience, and success of these students but also are enriching the educational experience for the entire student body and school community.
In this 3-part training, participants will have the opportunity to learn, reflect, and challenge biases along their way towards developing new CONFIDENCE and COMPETENCE in partnering with LGBTQIA+ students and families. It may take some assistance from others to help you advance your skills and increase your comfort, but you CAN do this important work.
MODULE 1
LGBTQIA+ Community 101
A combined 101 and 201 training for educators seeking to better support LGBTQIA+ students and their families. This module will provide an overview of essential terms and concepts and will focus on how to address disparities for this population by increasing competencies in the areas of LGBTQIA+ affirming practices and educational representation.
MODULE 2
Educational & Classroom Considerations
In Module 2 of the Inspired Allies certificate course, participants will gain valuable skills and an understanding for how to create more welcoming, safe, and affirming classroom environments for LGBTQIA+ students. Participants will learn evidence-based skills, as well as review special considerations, for working with LGBTQIA+ students and their support systems.
MODULE 3
Supporting Families & Caregivers
As educators, we know it is essential for queer youth to experience support and acceptance from families; qualities which are known to have a significant positive impact on youth mental health, well-being, and resilience. In Module 3, participants will learn best practice tools, tips, and techniques to become better partners with parents and families in accepting and caring for their LGBTQIA+ child.
Why Choose Inspired
Consulting Group?
Expertise
Team members at Inspired Consulting Group are seasoned DEI&B professionals with extensive experience across various industries and specialties. We lean into our unique lived experiences to bring partnerships that successfully blend our formal training with our diverse backgrounds.
Tailored Solutions
We recognize that every organization is unique, and we provide customized solutions that fit your specific needs.
Commitment to Impact
We are passionate about making a difference and are committed to helping your organization achieve tangible DEI&B outcomes.
Collaborative Approach
We work closely with you, fostering collaboration and strong communication to ensure the success of your DEI&B initiatives.
Certification Course
Get Started!
Ready to embark on your Inspired Allies Certification Course? Contact us today to schedule a consultation call and discover how we can help you create a more inclusive, equitable, and welcoming workplace.
Successful Partnerships
Inspired Consulting Group has been fortunate to work with many wonderful organizations in our communities. Here’s what they had to say about our engagement.
“Professional development is integral and especially in areas of opportunity. The methods, consideration, expertise, and pure enjoyment of this work shines brightly as Chris McLaughlin engages, stirs up emotions and thoughts and comforts through his “Inspired Allies” training. The reflections open up thoughts and ideas allowing for unexpected growth. This has been a necessary journey allowing me to grow in enhancing my allyship with the LGBTQIA +community.”
Brooke Goodwin,
Social Work Leader in Healthcare,
Washington, DC
“Chris McLaughlin was a wonderful, candid, vulnerable presenter who tackled the difficult realities of this subject matter with such poise. Each session was informative, thought provoking and will be a game changer to anyone’s future Social Work practice!
This intensive training was wonderful and educational on so many levels. It has allowed for exploration, confrontation and confirmation of my knowledge in this arena. Chris’s passion, knowledge, and patience were integral in my learning.”
Anonymous
“The ‘Inspired Allies’ course offered by Inspired Consulting Group, exceeded my expectations! It was a privilege to attend these sessions. As a leader in healthcare, this course helped me reflect on how to be a better ally in this space and influence improvements in the direct care of patients/families and organization service delivery. Chris McLaughlin is not just an expert; his passion and ability to connect with his audience motivates others to learn, embrace self-reflection and lead meaningful change for the LGBTQIA+ community.”
JoAnn Duffy
Senior Director of Social Work Services
“Chris gave an amazing presentation on the LGBTQIA+ Affirming Competencies Certificate Course for Behavioral Health Providers. I really appreciated how Chris modeled being open and non-judgmental, as we’re all trying to figure out how to be the most affirming provider as possible for our patients. Some experiences I’ve had in the past with trainings, but also with other clinicians in the field, have involved a lot of “you should’s” so I really value that Chris made the learning environment feel safe to ask questions and comfortable to ask the deeper questions of ourselves about our own biases. I am honored to be working alongside fellow clinicians like Chris who have this level of compassion and expertise. Thank you!”
Betsy Lehleitner
LCSW / Clinical Social Worker / Maine & Kansas