Professional Expectations of Provider LGBTQ Competence: Where We Are and Where We Need to Go

Natasha D Williams; Brennan Winer; Elizabeth M Aparicio; Mia A Smith-Bynum; Bradley O Boekeloo; Jessica N Fish

doi:10.1080/19359705.2022.2146825

Professional Expectations of Provider LGBTQ Competence: Where We Are and Where We Need to Go

J Gay Lesbian Ment Health. 2022 Nov 23;80(8):10.1080/19359705.2022.2146825. doi: 10.1080/19359705.2022.2146825.

Authors

Natasha D Williams^{1

2}, Brennan Winer³, Elizabeth M Aparicio^{2

4}, Mia A Smith-Bynum^{1

2}, Bradley O Boekeloo^{2

4}, Jessica N Fish^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Family Science, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
² University of Maryland Prevention Research Center.
³ Department of Government and Politics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
⁴ Department of Behavioral and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.

Abstract

Introduction: Mental and behavioral health professional organizations use their governing documents to set expectations of provider competence in working with LGBTQ+ clients.

Method: The codes of ethics and training program accreditation guidelines of nine mental and behavioral health disciplines (n=16) were analyzed using template analysis.

Results: Coding resulted in fives themes: mission and values, direct practice, clinician education, culturally competent professional development, and advocacy. Expectations for provider competency vary greatly across disciplines.

Conclusion: Having a mental and behavioral health workforce that is uniformly competent in meeting the unique needs of LGBTQ populations is key for supporting the mental and behavioral health of LGBTQ persons.

Keywords: LGBTQ; cultural competency; mental health care policy; mental health services; provider training.

Abstract

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