MFTs have been taught to employ an unbiased perspective with couple and family systems, which allows them to build relationships with all the members in a complicated system. However, this often happens to the detriment of those in the queer community, where the validity of the queer identity becomes a matter of perspective, and risks and benefits to the queer community become negotiable. At Denver Family Institute, we are building a systemic “Queer Youth Track,” going live in November 2024, with the cornerstone of our program being a Queer Adjusted Systemic Lens (QASL) in which clinicians affirm the identity of clients, values the risks and benefits to queer thriving, while still building successful and maneuverable relationships with all the other members of the family or relationship’s system.
This presentation will review the need for a Queer Adjusted Systemic Lens, and provide three interventions to participants. The presentation will also describe Denver Family Institute’s work in creating and teaching inclusive family therapy training.
This presentation is eligible for two CEUs provided by AAMFT.
After this presentation, attendees will be able to:
- Describe the need for a queer adjusted systemic lens (QASL) for the queer community, in particular, queer youth
- Name the various models of family systems theory from which the queer adjusted systemic lens is drawn
- Demonstrate three interventions from the QASL model
Other Information: If you are unable to participate on this date, please do not register. The webinar will be recorded and available for later purchase on Teneo.
Presenter Info:
August Tousignant-Stanton (they/them) is a therapist, supervisor, and speaker through their private practice Affirming Psychotherapy LLC. August holds a masters in social work and a certificate in marriage and family therapy, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). August is also the Program Director at Denver Family Institute and is the Lead Clinician on the newly-developed Queer Youth Program at Denver Family Institute. August has over 12 years of experience in the field, and specializes in working with LGBTQIA+ youth and their families as well as intimate partner relationships. August has presented to various groups in the Denver community, including medical practices, Sherwin Williams, and Optum Health. They live in Denver with their wife, and three young children.