In addition to my work as a therapist focused on building queer and trans resilience, I offer training to people who want to support people with marginalized identities in their own work. The training I provide draws on my experience a trauma-informed therapist, a longtime student of gender and sexuality, a member of the queer community, and a friend and partner to trans-identified individuals. I wanted to be a teacher when I was younger, and, just before I became a therapist, I found great joy in teaching yoga to people of all ages. Facilitating training workshops combines my ability to create a safe learning environment with my passion for social justice. I collaborate with trans-identified people to provide these workshops, always remembering the importance and power of people telling their own stories, in their own words, and centering the experiences of those most impacted by systems of oppression.
Many of those who come to my workshops say that they want to support queer and trans people in their families, communities, and workplaces, but they’re afraid they’ll say the wrong thing or don’t know where to start. They feel confused by some of the words they hear and aren’t sure how to use them or if they’re supposed to. Many of the therapists in my workshops come to learn how to better support the LGBTQ+ clients (or their partners) that they’re already seeing. Just as often, workshop participants have a level of comfort with concepts related to gender and sexuality, but may be new to the study of trauma, resilience and attachment relationships. I do my best work when I’m weaving together an understanding of these overlapping concepts and helping to translate them for others.
PAst Presentations:
Empowering Partners: Providing Support to Partners of Transgender, Non-Binary & Gender-Questioning People - NASW-NC Clinical Social Work Institute - May 2022
Ethical, Trauma-Informed Practice with Transgender and Non-Binary Clients - ETSU Social Work Professional Development Conference - February 2020
Trauma-Informed Practice with LGBTQ-Identified Clients - Pyramid Healthcare - November 2019
Trauma, Attachment & Transgender/Non-Binary Experiences - Western Carolina University School of Social Annual Field Instructor Workshop - March 2019
Trauma, Attachment & Transgender/Non-Binary Experiences - UNC School of Social Work Clinical Lecture Series - October 2018
Moving from Ally to Accomplice: Supporting LGBTQIA Members of Your Organization - Part of the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits’ webinar series: Walking the Talk: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in North Carolina Nonprofits - June 2018
Trauma, Attachment & Transgender/Non-Binary Experiences - Asheville, NC - May 2018
Ethical Practice with Transgender Youth & Their Families - Asheville, NC - October 2017
Ethical Treatment of Transgender Youth & Their Families - Asheville, NC - April 2017
Exploring Trans Experience - Land of the Sky United Church of Christ - May 2016
In Our Own Words: A Panel of Trans-Identified Individuals - Gender Education Demystification Symposium (GEMS) - January 2016
Supporting Transgender Youth & Their Families - Break by the Lake: A Student Services Personnel Conference - October 2015
Here's what past training participants have to say:
Empowering Partners Training Participants:
“What an excellent presenter! Her obvious passion and competence for working with this population. I was very impressed by the way she invited us to look at our own biases and judgements. I also appreciated the insight to ask ourselves why we would ask certain information and how it pertains to a client's care or is it just to satisfy our own curiosity.”
“One of the BEST presenters of the conference. Her presentation was so informative. She was kind and compassionate and encouraged the same of the viewers. I loved her questions at the beginning regarding transgender or non-binary friends - not something I really had considered and an excellent way to begin an open conversation. Very appreciative of the resources she provided as well.”
“I joined this session because I don't know enough about this subject and as it becomes more and more discussed in our society, I want to be equipped with some knowledge, e.g. knowledge of the terms, etc. This course helped with that.”
”She was able to give key points on gender neutral ways to communicate with clients. I am constantly learning about how to best serve non cisgender and transgender clients and this workshop was helpful in reminding me ways to better assess and approach. Really appreciated this workshop.”
“I really appreciated this presentation. We have needed to address support to the support systems of the LBGTQ community and this was a fantastic intro discussion on just that.”
“The presentation really helped me normalize the experience of partners, families, and friends and those who are connected with someone in transition. Excellent!”
“This area of counseling and support is so enhanced by speakers like Heather, who manage to engage, educate and inspire other the attendees. There is much to learn and teachers like Heather are so valuable.”
Previous Training Presentations:
“I attended Heather's Ethical Treatment of Transgender Youth & Their Families workshop. She shared her in-depth knowledge and experience with clarity and heart, demonstrating passion as an educator and therapist. As a result of the experience, I felt a renewed commitment to engage in the important work of supporting transgender youth and their families.”
Donna Clausen MS, LPCA, NCC, Red Bird Counseling
“Exploring Trans Experience was one of the best workshops I've attended. Heather and her co-presenter covered the basics of trans identity, gender identity and sexual identity, and the fluidity between them with sensitivity, thoughtfulness, and a strong dose of laughter. I left feeling like I had a deeper understanding of this subject matter, which can feel tricky to get right, and the language to describe it. As an ally to the trans community, I am so grateful for this training.”
Melissa Garrett, member of Land of the Sky UCC
If you're a therapist, counselor, coach, massage therapist, speech therapist, acupuncturist, herbalist, or other type of practitioner offering LGBTQ-affirming mental health and wellness services in the U.S. South, you are invited to join the Southern LGBTQ-Affirming Mental Health Resources Facebook group I moderate to share resources and referrals.
request a Training presentation
If you would like to request training presentation, please fill out the form below and I will get back to you as soon as possible
“Even when the truth isn’t hopeful, the telling of it is.”