Addressing Shame in Sexual Minority System-Involved Youth

Kelsey Pacha

Training Description

This training will educate those who support system involved youth about how to support acceptance and healing for sexual minority youth. Participants will learn to define sexual minority (LGBQ youth, sexually exploited youth), and explore the overlaps in experience of sexual minority system involved youth. Participants will learn and discuss the concept of shame and how it relates to non-heteronormative sexual identities, as well as experiences with childhood sexual abuse and/or sexual exploitation. Finally, participants will review five antidotes to shame and embody using these practices through group activity.

Learning Objective

Participants will be able to:

1. Identify at least 2 groups of system involved youth who are a part of the sexual minority and explain the presence & prevalence of sexual minority youth in care.

2. Identify four ways shame can result from traumatic experiences & four socioemotional impacts of shame.

3. Identify five antidotes to shame among sexual minority system involved youth.

Agenda

9:30-11:00am Introductions: name, gender pronoun, one thing you wish to learn. Define sexual minority (LGBQ youth, sexually exploited youth) within the context of youth in care. Review research about the presence & prevalence of sexual minority system involved youth. Define shame.

11:00-11:15am Break (CE hours will not be offered for this time)

11:15am-12:45pm Explore four ways shame can result from traumatic experiences & four socioemotional impacts of shame. Identify five antidotes to shame among sexual minority youth. Identify three supportive community resources for sexual minority system involved youth.

12:45-1:00pm  Final Questions & Answers, Wrap-up

Meet Our Trainer

Kelsey Pacha, MA, M.Div. is a trans man who has worked with marginalized communities for 15+ years in a variety of settings. He holds a Master of Religion and Psychology, Master of Divinity, and Certificate of Sexuality and Religion from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Psychological Services from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He is the owner of Kelsey Pacha Consulting, which supports the work of institutions and individuals in increasing their capacity for cultural humility and social justice-informed institutional change. Kelsey offers educational trainings and LGBTQ workplace policy expertise with an emphasis on practical skills, identity awareness, and personal empowerment. He regularly works with corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion officers and LGBTQ affinity groups, as well as legal, clinical, medical, and direct service

(including child welfare and faith leader) personnel.

This course meets the qualifications for (3.25) BBS CE hours for LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences & is provided by Fred Finch Youth Center, CAMFT Provider #045295.