This course is based on a publication the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) and is designed to provide mental health and substance abuse counselors with a great deal of information regarding working with lesbian and gay (LG) individuals. The publication covers the special issues that need to be addressed in working with LG individuals in a substance abuse treatment setting.
The publication covers the wide range of diversity among women who self identify as lesbians or whose sexual, emotional or affectional feelings are primarily directed towards women. The myths and stereotypes about lesbian women are reviewed as are facts that dispute these myths. The social, cultural and development issues that specific to lesbians and gay men are reviewed. Clinical issues and concerns specific to lesbians and gay men are described with particular attention paid to issues that arise in substance abuse treatment settings.
Although the publication is written from the perspective of applications to substance abuse treatment, much of the information applies to LGBT clients in other treatment settings.
This course serves as an excellent resource for mental health professionals who work with substance abuse, or who would like to improve their clinical skills by learning more about how to work with lesbian and gay individuals. Given the prevalence of lesbian and gay individuals, this course provides much needed information to improve the cross cultural competencies of clinicians with an underserved population.
Psychologists, social workers, counselors, drug and alcohol counselors and marriage and family therapists can benefit from this course. This course may also be helpful for other practitioners, such as midwives and dieticians and nutritionists who work with substance abuse or lesbian or gay clients. This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to learn more about the LGBT population and or substance abuse treatment.
Author: SAMSHA
Learning Objectives: This course will provide a professional with a review of cultural and clinical issues that are significant for lesbians and gay males. Specifically, a professional will:
· Identify common myths and stereotypes about lesbians.
· Describe clinical issues that often arise when working with lesbian and gay male clients.
· Identify social, cultural and treatment considerations that should be included in the treatment of lesbians and gay men.
Citation: SAMSHA (2001). A Provider’s Introduction to Substance Abuse Treatment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Individuals. Chapter 7 Clinical Issues with Lesbians and Chapter 8 Clinical Issues with Gay Male Clients. DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 01-3498.
Credits: 2
Exam Fee: $21.00
Format: Online
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Exam Questions for Clinical Issues with Lesbian and Gay Male Clients
1. Women who identify themselves as lesbians: Come from all races and ethnic groups Come from all socioeconomic levels and ages Have had a variety of sexual experiences, not always with women All of the above 2. Which of the following is true? Lesbians are distinguishable from heterosexual women Almost all lesbians look and act feminine Almost all lesbians look and act masculine Lesbians may look and act either feminine or masculine 3. Which of the following statements is true? Lesbians exhibit more diversity than the general population in terms of their substance use. The general population exhibits more diversity than lesbians in terms of their substance use. There is no single pattern of behavior among lesbians who are substance abusers The range of behaviors are distinct among lesbians vs. the general population in terms of substance use. 4. Which of the following is true of lesbians? Some may hate men All of them hate men Almost all want to be men Almost all are afraid of men 5. Which of the following is a myth about lesbians? They may engage in serial dating, following the mores of their peers They may or may not easily form lasting, committed relationships They are rarely sexual predators They have had bad sexual relationships with men, causing them to be interested in women 6. The assumption underlying most myths about homosexuality is: Heterosexuality is superior to homosexuality Men are better than women Homosexuality is a disease Heterosexuality is God's will 7. Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for substance abuse among lesbians repeatedly noted in available literature? The interaction of sexism, stress, and substance use Age-related decline in substance abuse Issues related to coming out The interaction of trauma and substance abuse 8. The traumas that lesbians may have suffered need to be recognized and understood as integral parts of their: Behavior Outlook Emotional Makeup All of the above 9. Which of the following was NOT a finding of the review conducted by Hughes and Wilsnack? Fewer lesbians than heterosexual women abstain from alcohol Lesbians rely upon women's bars for socializing and peer support Rates of reported alcohol problems are higher for lesbians than for heterosexual women Drinking, heavy drinking, and problem drinking among lesbians show less decline with age than among heterosexual women 10. Counselors need to assess their own beliefs in myths so they: Are aware of them Can help their clients to not be further injured by them Do not impose them on their clients All of the above 11. Which of the following is NOT noted as a factor which may make gay men more prone to using alcohol and other substances? Homosexuality Heterosexism Antigay bias Internalized homophobia 12. In 1976, Cassel noted that higher rates of alcoholism have been documented in societies or cultures in turmoil or undergoing _____ change. Radical Social Unwanted Overwhelming 13. Gay men may have their first homosexual experience while drinking, possibly to overcome: Fear and anxiety Denial Revulsion Any or all of the above 14. Under Alice Miller�s model on the emotional lives of children who are talented or otherwise different, what are the major defenses used to cope with the conflict between real needs and desires, and the false self? Repression and rejection Discouragement and de-emphasis Dissociation and denial All of the above 15. The disconnection between feelings and external behaviors does NOT help to explain which of the following problems facing gay youth? Identity denial Depression and suicidal thoughts Running away from home Drug use 16. Substance abuse helps to alleviate which of the following? Dissociation Social comfort Homophobia Isolation 17. Which of the following does NOT describe the stereotypical male in America? Powerful Independent Emotionally reserved Relationship-motivated 18. In which culture is the stigma particularly noted for men who are in any way like women? Latin African-American Caucasian Asian 19. All of the following are problems experienced by gay youth to a greater extent than their non-gay counterparts EXCEPT: Problems with schoolwork Sexual abuse Alcohol and drug use Inability to form relationships 20. HIV/AIDS rates are now: Falling among gay men of all ages Rising among gay men of all ages Rising among younger gay men in urban areas Rising among younger gay men in rural areas
Clinical Issues with Lesbian and Gay Male Clients
If you would like to take this course for your CE program, it is recommended that you:
