Overview

The APS hosts this webinar with the APS College of Clinical Psychologists.

This webinar will provide education and awareness to pervasive cisheteronormative views in Australian psychological practice and bring awareness of the unique stressors that can exacerbate distress for our clients, even if they are not specifically presenting for sex, sexuality, or gender identity related concerns.

It will encourage psychologists to challenge their own cisheteronormative schemas by improving education around what normative beliefs are and their impacts on working with LGBTQIA+ individuals. Awareness training is insufficient to create meaningful change and it is integral that psychology evolves to be better equipt to respond to the increasing needs of this vulnerable population. It aims to assist psychologists to develop cultural humility and safety through evidence-based best practices which, in turn, will reduce instances of microaggressions and improve the accessibility of psychological services.

The webinar will cover:

• the background on why cisheteronormativity is harmful,

• self-reflection on our own assumptions and beliefs, and

• developing curiosity and safety in our conversations with clients and peers to be able to support our combined responsibility and accountability.

Level of Learning

Intermediate. This activity is targeted to those who have some previous learning on the topic.

Duration of access

Access to the recording and presenter slides is for 12 months from the date of confirmed registration.

APS CPD-Approved

This activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality. Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process

CPD Frequently Asked Questions

Refer to the APS CPD Frequently Asked Questions for general and technical information when undertaking APS Professional development activities.

Activity details

On-demand webinar recording

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this webinar, participants should be able to:

• define cisheteronormativity and explain its influence on psychological practice and client experiences,

• identify own biases and assumptions related to gender and sexuality,

• identify stressors faced by LGBTQIA+ clients (including specific subgroup stressors), even when their minority status is not the presenting concern, and

• implement strategies to deliver more culturally competent care to LGBTQIA+ clients.

Presenter(s)

Ms. Katherine Murfitt

About the presenter(s)

Katherine Murfitt is a Clinical Psychologist and PhD (Psychology) Candidate committed to improving mental health accessibility for LGBTQIA+ individuals. This passion stems from a recognition of the overrepresentation of this community in psychological settings, and the cisheteronormative schemas and sociocultural norms that continue to fuel this disparity. Katherine has had the privilege to develop her clinical and research career through a diverse range of professional opportunities. These include working in gender-affirming care within large, public health services and research institutions, as well as working with complex intersectional presentations in regional and remote Australia. Her research currently focuses on improving culturally competent psychological support for LGBTQIA+ people, with her PhD project specifically exploring this within the context of psychology supervision and training. Katherine is a strong advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and aims to improve the accessibility of safe, inclusive and affirming psychological services through her practice and research.