Webinar - Supporting Positive Identity Development with LGBTQ+ Youth (1.5 CEUs)

Thursday, March 28 (12-1:30pm EST)

Speaker: Cristina Costa, LICSW 

Virtual on Zoom

Hosted by the NASW-RI Chapter (CEUs approved for NASW-MA attendees)

When working with the LGBTQ+ community, it is important for us that we have a foundation of knowledge that includes the obstacles this population faces, the social pressures they endure and how to be welcoming and open. We will explore how to work with LGBTQ+ children and youth who are challenged with developing and understanding their own identity and their relationship with the world around them. For children and youth who struggle with exploring and expressing their sexual and gender identity it is important to know how to help them work through their own inner dialogues of who they are, the family and societal pressures related to their developing identity, the challenges of trying to fit into a social group, and how to navigate their relationship with their bodies. By engaging with youth and including their families in treatment, we can support the development of positive self-identity, growing confidence, and improve outcomes as they move into adulthood with understanding and self-acceptance.   

This presentation will address gender identity and sexuality, as it pertains to working with LGBTQ+ children and you. 

• Explore how to work with LGBTQ+ Children & Youth as they develop a better understanding of self.

• How to talk about identity at different stages of development. 

• Importance of family therapy and how to plan family sessions for a positive outcome.

Fees: $15 for NASW members and $35 for non-members

Please note: This webinar’s Zoom Meeting link and course evaluation form details will be shared a day before the webinar.

Speaker: Cristina Costa, LICSW has been a NASW member since 2012 and serves on the NASW Program Planning Committee for our annual NASW Symposium. She obtained her Masters in Social Worker from Boston College, in addition to her two Bachelor's Degrees, a B.A. in Psychology and B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Rhode Island. Cristina is an alum of URI’s Talent Development, as well as a Ronald E. McNair Scholar. In 2004, Cristina became the first Providence Law Enforcement Advocate with the Providence Police Department, Day One and Sojourner House, where she worked alongside the Special Victims Unit in assisting victims of sexual assault, child molestation, domestic violence and hate crimes. In total, Cristina has over 20 years of experience working in the field of social work with many different populations including youth in residential care, victims of crime, foster care, adoption, LGBTQ+, first generation families, elementary/middle school students and families, emergency room and inpatient medical services and operations for afterschool programs.

Cristina was born and raised in Providence, RI, growing up in a bi-lingual household, she is fluent in Portuguese and English, as well as speaking Spanish as her third language. She currently works as a Clinician with Rhode Island College’s Counseling Center, after spending 8 years as a School Social Worker in both charter and public schools. She also has a private practice in East Providence, RI, where she enjoys working with children and young adults who are first generation and/or identify with the LGBTQ+ community. Cristina’s passion is to promote diversity in the social work field and to provide professional development opportunities to increase the field’s awareness of privilege, bias, and oppression as part of her commitment to building inclusive and culturally appropriate services for clients and communities.