Live Webinar October 30 - Doing Affirmative Cognitive Behavior Therapy with LGBTQ+ Young People with Dr. Jeffrey Cohen

Thursday, October 30, 2025

12:00 PM- 1:30 PM Eastern/ 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Central/ 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Mountain/ 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Pacific/ 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM Alaska/7:00 AM - 8:30 AM Hawaii

1.5 CE Credits Awarded

$15 Student ABCT Members / $25 ABCT Members / $35 Non-Members

Intermediate level

All prices listed in US currency

Abstract:

Due to ongoing anti-LGBTQ+ stigma in society, LGBTQ+ youth experience higher rates of mental health concerns (Russell & Fish, 2016). Fortunately, families with LGBTQ+ children frequently seek mental health treatment, offering an exciting opportunity for clinicians to support mental health in LGBTQ+ youth with affirming treatments. This session aims to provide attendees with the tools needed to improve cognitive behavior therapy practice with LGBTQ+ children, adolescents, and young adults using an affirming, minority stress-informed lens. Attendees will learn how to adapt existing CBT techniques (e.g., exposures, cognitive flexibility) to be sensitive to the unique needs and challenges experienced by this population (e.g., gender dysphoria, coming out). This session will also highlight strategies for navigating difficult conversations with parents and caregivers and give attendees concrete ideas for enhancing CBT practice when working with LGBTQ+ young people.

Presenter Biography:

Dr. Jeff Cohen (he/him) is an Associate Professor at Columbia University, where he directs the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy course in the Psychiatry Residency Training Program and teaches courses on Abnormal Behavior and Mindfulness in the Columbia Psychology Department. He has a particular interest in adapting evidence-based treatments such as CBT to provide affirmative and culturally sensitive care to LGBTQ+ people and has published and presented widely on this topic. Clinically, he provides care to youth and adults at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City and the Columbia University Clinic for Anxiety and Related Disorders in Westchester, New York. 

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this workshop, the learner will be able to:

1. Understand the impact of anti-LGBTQ+ stigma on the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth and recognize the importance of affirmative mental health care in improving their well-being.

2. Learn how to apply a minority stress-informed lens to case conceptualization when supporting LGBTQ+ youth.

3. Adapt evidence-based CBT techniques to meet the unique needs of LGBTQ+ youth.

4. Develop skills for navigating difficult conversations with parents and caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth.

Recommended Readings:

· Shen, J., Seager van Dyk, I., & Cohen, J. M. (2024). Talking with youth about sexual orientation and gender identity. Pediatrics in Review, 45(12), 721–725.

· Clark, K. A., Argiros, A. P., Dougherty, L. R., & Pachankis, J. E. (2024). Stigma and anxiety and depressive symptoms in parents of sexual and gender minority youth. Journal of Family Psychology.

· Olson, K. R., Durwood, L., DeMeules, M., & McLaughlin, K. A. (2016). Mental health of transgender children who are supported in their identities. Pediatrics, 137(3).

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All attendees will receive a certificate of completion when the course requirements are satisfied. Certificate of completion is included in the cost of the webinar

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For more information, contact:

Rachel Greeman, ABCT Web Manager
212-647-1890 ext. 208
rgreeman@abct.org

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