LGBTQIA Affirmative Professional Certification
IBOSP Certified LGBTQIA Affirmative Professionals are mental health professionals, educators, counselors, body-based practitioners, clergy, coaches, consultants, law enforcement, or healthcare professionals who work with individuals and people who identify as LGBTQIA plus. IBOSP Certified LGBTQIA Affirmative Professionals have specific, comprehensive training in Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity issues.
Who seeks LGBTQIA Affirmative Professional Certification?
Mental health professionals, educators, counselors, clergy, coaches, consultants, law enforcement, or healthcare professionals, who work with individuals and people in relationships who identify as LGBTQIA plus. Certified LGBTQIA Affirmative Professionals take an approach that embraces a positive and supportive view of LGBTQIA identities and relationships, and addresses the negative influences that homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism, and other forms of phobia (e.g., acephobia) have on the lives of LGBTQIA people.
Why Apply for CLGBTQIAAP?
Certification as an LGBTQIA Affirmative professional provides assurance to the public that you have obtained advanced training in, are knowledgeable about, and positive in your approach to individuals and people in relationships who identify as LGBTQIA plus.
What are the basic eligibility requirements?
- A current IBOSP membership in good standing
- A minimum of an Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university
- A minimum of 100 hours of experience working with individuals and people in relationships who identify as LGBTQIA plus
- Documentation of 50 hours of LGBTQIA education to include topics: basic gender and sexual minority group(s) overview (terminology, appropriate language, understanding of fluidity, diverse expression of sexual lifestyles); ethical practices (provider bias, navigating medical services and understanding legal practices/services); clinical considerations (current statistics, assessment tools, shame reduction approaches, assessing trauma, discerning gender dysphoria and implications for transitioning services); process related to transitioning and coming out ; cultural competency (intersectionality of minority status, addressing internalized homophobia, role of religion/spirituality).
- Two recommendation letters from a colleague working with LGBTQIA populations or IBOSP member
- Adherence to the IBOSP Code of Ethics.