Preferred registration deadline: November 6th

3 CEs

Gender identity and expression have become the subject of much discussion politically, socially, and educationally. While many people hold strong opinions about gender, they rarely acknowledge the role their own gender plays in provider interactions. Similarly, some providers tend to hold biases about gender that can impede their ability to provide quality care to clients, such as hesitancy in working with men and the infantilization of women. Whether it is client interactions or workplace dynamics with colleagues, research shows that people greatly benefit when they can competently acknowledge the gender dynamics in the room and respond appropriately.

In this workshop, we will learn to better explore the role gender plays in social work interactions. Throughout this training, participants will reflect on their own gender-identity and the way in which their gender may be influencing their interactions with clients and colleagues. Similarly, we will learn how to appropriately discuss gender dynamics with clients and colleagues in ways that are productive, insightful, and culturally competent. Participants will also be provided with opportunities to practice their clinical documentation skills to learn how to effectively write about gender dynamics in their case notes, including gender-affirming care letters,  challenging biases, and ensuring equitable care in gender identity. Lastly, we will navigate dilemmas involving gender dynamics and practice skills needed to effectively navigate those dynamics.

This class meets the licensure requirement for 3 hours of continuing education in ethics. This is an in-person workshop that will be held on Washington University’s Danforth Campus. The exact location and directions will be emailed to registered participants before the course date.

General Admission: $65**
**Eligible discounts can be applied during checkout.

Class size is limited to 30.

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Course Outline

Content Level: Intermediate

Target Audiences: Social Workers, Counselors, and/or Case Managers, Therapists, Supervisors, Practice/Business Owners

Agenda:

• Introductions and Welcome - 5 mins
• A comprehensive overview of gender terminology and dynamics – Distinguishing between identity and expression, and acknowledging the differences that emerge in social interactions - 55 mins
• A self-reflective exercise in which people acknowledge their own gender-identity and expression and explore ways in which it has influenced their practice of social work, from client interactions to teamwork with colleagues - 60 mins
• Clinical Applications – Exploring how to write effective treatment notes to acknowledge clients’ gender, an overview of gender-affirming care, and exploring possible transference and counter-transference issues - 50 mins
• Closing and Q&A - 10 mins

Learner Outcomes

• Differentiate and describe sex-positive and scientifically accurate terminology regarding gender identity to better understand the spectrum of human sexuality.
• Demonstrate an increased ability to support clients of all gender-expressions, including clients who have gender-identities different from their own.
• Examine the role their own gender-identity has on their relationship and rapport with clients, exploring how to effectively acknowledge and repair ruptures that occur within the relationship.
• Demonstrate examples of appropriate language to use in clinical documentation, including gender-affirming care letters, to protect clients’ confidentiality and advocate effectively.

Course Completion Requirements:

• The Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, Professional Development, provider #2130, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/24/2025 – 9/24/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 3 ethics continuing education credits.
• The Brown School is also an approved provider of Social Work CEs in Missouri and Illinois.
• To earn ACE credit, attendees must arrive at the scheduled time, attend the entire course, and complete an online course evaluation. ACE credit is not provided for partial attendance.  However, you may still qualify for partial Social Work Missouri and Illinois CEs provided by the Brown School.
• Brown School CE Certificates will be available online within 10 business days of course completion by visiting your learner profile at https://ce.wustl.edu/portal/logon.do?method=load&parentSite=brown.  You will receive an email notification with specific instructions for accessing the online certificate when it is available. ACE CE Certificates, if requested in your evaluation survey, will be emailed within 10 business days of course completion.
• For more information about CEs, accessibility, refund/cancellation policy, our grievance policy, or other inquiries, please visit our About Us page or email brownprofdev@wustl.edu.