“It’s Not Only about Clinical Tools but Also Our Role as Agents of Social Change”: Implementing a LGBT Competency Training for Future Mental Health Practitioners in Mexico

ABSTRACT

Recent studies recommend implementing a curriculum that is inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) identities in health-related higher education programs. Inclusive health services are a means to address stigma-related adverse health outcomes in these populations. In Mexico, research has revealed that sexual and gender minority individuals experience discriminatory conditions that put them at risk for mental health problems. The present study tested the impact of a LGBT training protocol in Mexico; 17 psychology majors living in Mexico City received 12-plus hours of training on LGBT multicultural competencies. A quantitative retrospective assessment of participants’ attitudes toward LGBT individuals, knowledge of LGBT issues, and willingness to work with LGBT clients, alongside qualitative data collected from a focus group, provided evidence on the impact of this training strategy. Implications for LGBT multicultural competency training in undergraduate and graduate programs in psychology are discussed herein.

KEYWORDS:

• LGBT
• sexual minorities
• gender minorities
• higher education
• cultural competencies
• training
• clinical psychology
• counseling psychology
• psychotherapy

Acknowledgments

The first author would like to thank Stephen Forssell, PhD and Jeffrey Goodman, MPH for their valuable input in designing and implementing the training program that led to the preparation of this article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.