Safety, Dignity, & Choice: Harm reduction for substance use in queer communities

This training provides mental health professionals with an affirming, evidence-based understanding of substance use through a harm reduction lens within queer and LGBQT+ communities. Participants will explore how historical and ongoing experiences of stigma, discrimination, trauma, and marginalization shape substance use patterns and access to care for queer individuals.

Rather than centering abstinence as the sole marker of success, this training emphasizes client autonomy, safety, dignity, and choice. Participants will examine how harm reduction principles align with trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and ethically grounded clinical practice. The training will address common myths and biases related to substance use and LGBTQ+ identities, including how these biases can unintentionally impact assessment, treatment planning, and therapeutic relationships.

Course Objectives:

• Participants will understand the unique challenges the LGBTQ+ community face regarding substance use.
• Participants will be able to articulate the principles of harm reduction and how they can utilize this lens to support clients.
• Participants will understand the spectrum of options for clients to manage their substance use, up to and including total abstinence (e.g. sobriety)

This course will be offered virtually (synchronous) and will require pre-registration.

Info & Policies

To receive Continuing Education credits an evaluation must be completed and submitted at the end of the course.