This year the Clinical Issues Committee co-chairs have collected resources and created a resource packet to support clinicians working with LGBTQ+ youth in unsupportive environments during COVID-19. At the APA 2020 virtual convention, the CIC hosted a panel discussion of psychologists of color working with LGBTQ+ people of color in therapy, specifically exploring racial trauma. Both current co-chairs of the CIC are White, therefore, in order to center the experiences of psychologists of color, panelists took the lead on the discussion and content. The panelists shared from their clinical expertise, lived experiences, and incredible depth and breadth of knowledge about addressing and processing through racial trauma while engaging in sustainable practices of self-care. Attendees reported gaining greater understanding and wisdom from this panel and the co-chairs hope to create opportunities for more intersectional clinical programming moving forward.
The co-chairs are also in the process of bringing the “Clinical Corner” back to Div 44, including a segment in the newsletter, as in previous years, but also including possible video interviews with experts on particular topics. The co-chairs are currently seeking experts to be interviewed. If you have a focus around clinical work with the LGBTQ+ community, please reach out to the CIC co-chairs, LG Rollins and Jeffrey Paulez.