Supporting Queer, Gender Expansive, and Transgender System Involved Youth

Ursula Elsa

Training Description

Creating a safe container of acceptance, nonjudgement, and belonging is critical for the well being of LGBTQI+ youth. In this workshop you will learn how to support LGBTQI+ youth in processing unaccepting attitudes, cultivating resilience, developing self awareness, and a strong self love. For system involved LGBTQI+ youth, mindfulness can be especially transformative by providing compassionate self awareness practices that can support them to navigate challenging circumstances and situations. You will gain tools to deepen your allyship to your clients, in a way that truly honors the intersectional layers of identity.

Learning Objective

• Explore and understand how mindfulness can be supportive and culturally relevant for at risk LGBTQI+ youth 
• Engage in at least 1 activity to support youth in their self acceptance 
• Explore at least 1 activity for supporting youth in cultivating resilience 
• Learn how to cultivate your allyship and advocacy as a youth worker 
• Learn and practice how to utilize at least 1 mindfulness based nonjudgement practice for youth
• Engage in at least one activity to develop self confidence 
• Learn at least 2 tools for supporting youth in navigating their gender and sexuality 
• Practice and learn at least 1 breathing technique for youth to cope with stress and anxiety

Agenda 

11:30am-12:00pm Welcome, Housekeeping, and Mindfulness Practice 

12:00-12:15 Introduction to Mindfulness 

12:15-12:45 Intersectional Identities and The LGBTQI+ Community 

12:45-1:15 Activity 1: “The Gender Unicorn”: Understanding sexuality, gender identity, and expression

1:15-2:00 Lunch Break  (CEUs will not be issued for this time) + Individual Questions / Consultation 

2:00-2:30 Activities 2 + 3: Self Acceptance and Nonjudgement practices 

2:30-3:15 Activity 4: Cultivating Allyship 

3:15-3:30 Closing and Feedback

Meet Our Trainer

Ursula Elsa (she/they) was born and raised in the beautiful land of the Bay Area, Ohlone Territory. She has been teaching mindfulness and nature connection to youth in the Bay Area for over 6 years and is currently leading rites of passage work for Gaia Passages. Ursula is passionate about creating programming for LGBTQI+ and neurodiverse communities. She is also a trained doula and an advocate of parent’s rights in the birth community. Ursula has been developing curriculum at the intersection of mindfulness, social emotional development and nature connection to support organizations and families that she collaborates with.

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