Equality Florida Launches New Trauma-Informed Course Empowering Mental Health Providers to Support LGBTQ Youth and Families

Equality Florida Launches New Trauma-Informed Course Empowering Mental Health Providers to Support LGBTQ Youth and Families

St. Petersburg, FL – In a critical move to better support LGBTQ youth and their families, Equality Florida is proud to announce the launch of Trauma-Informed Care for LGBTQ Youth, an innovative virtual course designed to equip mental health professionals in Florida with the skills needed to provide affirming, culturally competent care. This free, self-paced course offers six (6) continuing education (CE) credits and is tailored for licensed mental health professionals in schools, healthcare, and community settings across Florida – ensuring LGBTQ youth have access to safe schools, supportive homes, and the high-quality care they deserve.

Importantly, a majority of mental health professionals report not having received formal training on supporting the LGBTQ community, highlighting a significant gap in provider education. This course addresses that need, as evidenced by the strong response from the field – with over 325 professionals from across the state registering within the first week of launch, underscoring the demand for LGBTQ-affirming, trauma-informed care.

“Mental health professionals have an ethical duty to provide comprehensive and compassionate care that meets the unique needs of LGBTQ youth and their families,” said Dr. Noelle DeLaCruz, Senior Manager of Health Equity at Equality Florida. “As mental health disparities continue to rise among LGBTQ youth, the need for affirming, trauma-informed care has never been more urgent. This course is a direct response to the critical need not only to improve outcomes but, most importantly, to save lives.”

LGBTQ youth are at much higher risk than their peers for a range of negative outcomes, including being bullied, skipping school, family rejection, homelessness, and suicide due to stigma, discrimination, and harassment. According to a recent report by the Trevor Project, less than half of young LGBTQ Floridians feel accepted in their communities.

This innovative course aims to strengthen the capacity of mental health professionals in Florida to provide affirming, trauma-informed care to LGBTQ youth and focuses on identifying key risk factors while emphasizing trauma-informed protective strategies that foster resilience and promote overall well-being. Through evidence-based modules, quizzes, and interactive activities—including self-reflections, case studies, and action planning—participants will learn practical, evidence-based strategies that can be incorporated into their professional practice to promote safety and healing. Additionally, the course equips professionals with strength-based approaches to help parents and caregivers support their LGBTQ children, ensuring they feel accepted and valued.

The course emphasizes how responsive care and parental support can make a lasting difference in improving mental health outcomes for LGBTQ youth. By completing this course, mental health professionals will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide affirming, trauma-informed care that not only improves mental health outcomes for Florida’s LGBTQ youth but also fosters long-term resilience, trust, and well-being—creating a lasting impact that extends into every area of their lives.

Enroll Today:

Mental health professionals in Florida who are interested in Trauma-Informed Care for LGBTQ Youth can contact Dr. Noelle DeLaCruz at [email protected] for enrollment details.