LGBTQ+ Affirming Care: The Groundwork

Presented by:  Rebecca Hofrichter, LCSW-C and Megan Hargest, LMSW

Date: Friday, January 9, 2026
Time: 9:00 am to 12:15 pm EST
Cost: $30 for Community
Location: Live Webinar via Zoom

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:

This entry level training is intended for providers in the behavioral health field who are interested in gaining a basic foundation of  best practices for providing therapy to the LGBTQ+ community. Due to the historic lack of specialized training on the unique experiences of the LGBTQ+ community in behavioral health fields, the need for a basic understanding of affirming care is becoming increasingly important. 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the completion of the program, participants will be able to:

1. Increase understanding of LGBTQ+ terminology and core identity concepts.
2. Identify opportunities to shift language in client interactions to be more affirming.
3. Develop more self awareness of growth opportunities for using an intersectional and culturally humble approach.
4. Gain a deeper understanding of gender dysphoria and gender euphoria.

AGENDA:

9:00 am Introduction, Foundations & Terminology
10:00 am Gender Exploration & Transition
10:30 am Break (15 minutes)
10:45 am Gender Euphoria & Dysphoria
11:00 am Cultural Humility & Cis-Het Privilege
11:30 am Affirming Practice Considerations
12:00 pm Intro to Poly-Ethical Non-Monogamy, Q&A
12:15 pm Evaluations & Program Ends 

About the Presenters:

Becca Hofrichter, LCSW-C (they/she) is a Queer-identified, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who practices from an intersectional, non-condemning, strengths-based approach to therapy, and believes it is necessary for the therapeutic space to be collaborative in order to build brave spaces and identify affirming supports. Becca works with individuals ages 12-60, and couples, and their areas of expertise include supporting adolescents and adults around depression, anxiety, exploring gender identity and sexuality, sexual/reproductive health, coping with trauma experiences, self-harm, body acceptance work, and reducing stigma around mental health experiences. They graduated from Loyola University of Chicago with a Master’s degree in Social Work in 2011. In Chicago, she worked with young adults and adolescents in community program settings providing supportive services including crisis intervention, street outreach and short and long-term therapeutic interventions and went on to work with folks of all ages in a group practice setting. They relocated to Baltimore, Maryland in July 2019 and were supporting youth in a residential program prior to joining GBCC Behavioral Health. In addition to her clinical work with GBCC Behavioral Health, they also support the practice in the role of the LGBTQ+ Affirming Care Coordinator.

Megan Hargest, LMSW (they/them) is a queer-identifying Licensed Master Social Worker. Megan obtained their degree from University of Maryland School of Social Work. They enjoy working with adults of all ages to address a variety of concerns including anxiety and mood disorders, ADHD and Autism, sexuality and gender exploration, ethical non-monogamy and polyamory, and life transitions. They help individuals find compassionate ways of looking at themselves and their life in an empathetic and judgment-free space. They are interested in working with motivated clients to access their strengths and resiliency and cope with the adversities in their lives. They believe in acknowledging how race, gender, sexuality, family history, society, and culture influence who we are. They utilize a trauma-informed, neuro-affirming, client-centered, collaborative, non-condemning, and change-oriented approach. Depending on individual needs, they use a variety of modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and solution-focused therapy. At GBCC, they assist Becca Hofrichter with the LGBTQ+ Affirming Careline.

CE Credit Information:

LGBTQ+ Affirming Care: The Groundwork is approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval #886860446-6233) for 3 continuing education contact hours.  Maryland Psychologists and Maryland Professional Counselors can receive CE credit automatically under NASW approval.  Psychologists and Professional Counselors in other states can check with their local board to see if NASW sponsored events are automatically approved.  All participants must be present for the full program and submit a post-program evaluation form via Google Forms in order to receive their certificate of completion.  

LGBTQ+ Affirming Care: The Next Level

Presented by:  Rebecca Hofrichter, LCSW-C and Megan Hargest, LMSW

Date: Monday, January 12, 2026
Time: 9:00 am to 12:15 pm EST
Cost: $30 for Community
Location: Live Webinar via Zoom

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:

This entry level training is intended for providers in the behavioral health field who are interested in adding to a foundational understanding of LGBTQ+ affirming care.  Attendees should feel more equipped to shift their approach to be more affirming of their LGBTQ+ clients and colleagues. NOTE: In order to register for this program, you must also complete “LGBTQ+ Affirming Care: The Groundwork” on January 9, 2026.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the completion of the program, participants will be able to:

1. Increase understanding of systemic harm towards the LGBTQ+ community.
2. Grow familiarity with affirming social interventions, gender affirming medical care and WPATH.
3. Develop insight into unique considerations for LGBTQ+ families.
4. Gain a deeper understanding of affirming workplace considerations.
5. Gain a deeper understanding of gender dysphoria and gender euphoria.

AGENDA:

9:00 am Introduction, A Look at Patterns of Harm
10:00 am Gender Affirmation: Social, Medical
10:30 am Break (15 minutes)
10:45 am LGBTQ+ Family Considerations, Employment Experiences
11:00 am Cultural Humility & Cis-Het Privilege
11:30 am Case Studies
12:00 pm Intro to Poly-Ethical Non-Monogamy, Q&A
12:15 pm Evaluations & Program Ends 

About the Presenters:

Becca Hofrichter, LCSW-C (they/she) is a Queer-identified, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who practices from an intersectional, non-condemning, strengths-based approach to therapy, and believes it is necessary for the therapeutic space to be collaborative in order to build brave spaces and identify affirming supports. Becca works with individuals ages 12-60, and couples, and their areas of expertise include supporting adolescents and adults around depression, anxiety, exploring gender identity and sexuality, sexual/reproductive health, coping with trauma experiences, self-harm, body acceptance work, and reducing stigma around mental health experiences. They graduated from Loyola University of Chicago with a Master’s degree in Social Work in 2011. In Chicago, she worked with young adults and adolescents in community program settings providing supportive services including crisis intervention, street outreach and short and long-term therapeutic interventions and went on to work with folks of all ages in a group practice setting. They relocated to Baltimore, Maryland in July 2019 and were supporting youth in a residential program prior to joining GBCC Behavioral Health. In addition to her clinical work with GBCC Behavioral Health, they also support the practice in the role of the LGBTQ+ Affirming Care Coordinator.

Megan Hargest, LMSW (they/them) is a queer-identifying Licensed Master Social Worker. Megan obtained their degree from University of Maryland School of Social Work. They enjoy working with adults of all ages to address a variety of concerns including anxiety and mood disorders, ADHD and Autism, sexuality and gender exploration, ethical non-monogamy and polyamory, and life transitions. They help individuals find compassionate ways of looking at themselves and their life in an empathetic and judgment-free space. They are interested in working with motivated clients to access their strengths and resiliency and cope with the adversities in their lives. They believe in acknowledging how race, gender, sexuality, family history, society, and culture influence who we are. They utilize a trauma-informed, neuro-affirming, client-centered, collaborative, non-condemning, and change-oriented approach. Depending on individual needs, they use a variety of modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and solution-focused therapy. At GBCC, they assist Becca Hofrichter with the LGBTQ+ Affirming Careline.

CE Credit Information:

LGBTQ+ Affirming Care: The Next Level is approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval #886860446-8049) for 3 continuing education contact hours.  Maryland Psychologists and Maryland Professional Counselors can receive CE credit automatically under NASW approval.  Psychologists and Professional Counselors in other states can check with their local board to see if NASW sponsored events are automatically approved.  All participants must be present for the full program and submit a post-program evaluation form via Google Forms in order to receive their certificate of completion.  

__________________________________________________________