26420 Treatment Considerations for LGBTQ+ People with Substance Use Disorder October 30 at 1 pm

Title: Treatment Considerations for LGBTQ+ People with Substance Use Disorder

Presented By: Darla Belflower, MSW, LCSW, CPS

Program #: 26420

Date(s): Thursday, October 30, 2025

Time: 1:00 PM – 4:15 PM, Central Time

Format: Live Interactive Webinar, Synchronous Distance Learning

Location: Online

CE Credit Awarded: 3 [Clinical/Cultural Competency] CE Credits

Total Minutes of Educational Instruction: 180 Minutes

Fee: $69; fee collected at registration includes attendance for the training and CE certificate issuance

 

Agenda:

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (90 minutes)

• Historical Context (DSM and IOM)
• Minority Stress and Intersectionality
• Case Study 1 (Maria)
• Prevalence and Minority Stress Factors
• Historical Community Spaces
• LGBTQ+ Youth Suicide Risk
• Case Study 2 (Jayden)

 

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM – BREAK

 

2:45 PM– 4:15 PM (90 minutes)

• Chemsex and Emerging Patterns
• How Policy Shapes Recovery
• Creating a Welcoming Environment
• Case Study 3 (Shawn)
• Family of Choice and Support Networks
• Barriers to Care and Co-occurring Issues
• Building Trust
• Case Study 4 (Louise)
• Overdose and Overdose Reversal
• Wrap Up and Resources

 

Speaker Bio: Darla Belflower, MSW, LCSW, CPS has worked in leadership in the substance use disorder and behavioral health fields for over three decades. She has a passion for teaching others what she has learned in those years. She is Vice Chair of the KC Recovery Coalition, serves on the board of the MO Coalition of Recovery Support Providers and is a member of The MO Department of Mental Health State Advisory Council. She is a LCSW, LAC, CRAADC, CPS, CTTS, and HRS, obtained her MSW from the KU, and has a BS in Psychology and Alcohol and Drug Studies from MO Valley College. Darla is a person in recovery and author of the book, “I Am Not Anonymous.”

 

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify at least three unique challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face when seeking treatment for SUD.
2. Explain how minority stress and intersectionality contribute to higher rates of SUD and mental health concerns.
3. Describe at least three culturally competent strategies for creating safe, affirming treatment spaces.
4. Describe at least two strategies to reduce barriers to treatment and increase engagement for LGBTQ+ individuals with SUD.

 

Description: This training explores the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals living with substance use disorder (SUD). LGBTQ+ populations experience disproportionately higher rates of SUD compared to the general population due to stigma, discrimination, minority stress, trauma, and systemic inequities. These stressors create barriers to accessing and remaining engaged in care. Participants will examine the impact of stigma and intersectionality on treatment outcomes and learn how to create welcoming, culturally competent, and affirming environments. The session highlights strategies such as trauma-informed care, family of choice engagement, and inclusive treatment practices. Case examples, resources, and affirming approaches will equip providers to improve care and support recovery for LGBTQ+ individuals.

 

Target Audience: Social Workers, Counselors, and/or other Mental Health Professionals

 

Accreditations:

Missouri Institute of Mental Health (MIMH)

The University of Missouri-St. Louis, Missouri Institute of Mental Health will be responsible for this program and will maintain a record of your continuing education credits earned.

MIMH awards 3 clock hour(s) or 3.6 contact hour(s) (.36 CEUs) for this program, including 0 clock hour(s) towards ethics, 0 clock hour(s) towards suicide prevention, and 3 clock hour(s) towards cultural competency.

 

National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)

MIMH is an NBCC - Approved Continuing Education Provider, No. 6339 (ACEP^TM) and may offer NBCC - approved clock hours for events (or programs) that meet NBCC requirements. Sessions (or programs) for which NBCC – approved clock hours will be awarded are identified in the program bulletin (or web site). The ACEP is solely responsible for all aspects for the program.

3 clock hour(s) are offered to the participant for this program.

 

Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) ACE

University of Missouri - St. Louis, Missouri Institute of Mental Health, Professional Training Center, provider number: 1880, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: September 5, 2025 – September 5, 2028. Social workers completing this course receive [3] [clinical] continuing education credits.

 

NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, Approved Education Provider

This course has been approved by the University of Missouri - St. Louis, Missouri Institute of Mental Health, Professional Training Center, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for [3] CE(s). NAADAC Provider #312308, University of Missouri - St. Louis, Missouri Institute of Mental Health, Professional Training Center is responsible for all aspects of its programing.

 

Accommodations Policy: Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact MIMH, Professional Training Center in writing at conferences@mimh.edu , as early as possible to request reasonable accommodations, such as ASL interpreters, alternate format materials, and map of accessible features.

 

Grievance Policy for UMSL | MIMH, Professional Training Center:

Complaints about Course Content, Speakers, Facilities, Nonreceipt of Certificates, Miscellaneous:

UMSL | MIMH, Professional Training Center is committed to providing quality professional continuing education trainings. If you experience dissatisfaction with the quality of services provided, the course content, speakers, facilities used, certificates or nonreceipt of certificates, etc., please email conferences@mimh.edu to notify UMSL | MIMH, Professional Training Center of your grievance. UMSL | MIMH, Professional Training Center CE Director, Kelly Gregory (kelly.gregory@mimh.edu ) and Social Work Consultant, Megan Galmiche (megan.galmiche@mimh.edu ) will review the grievance and will provide a response within 10 business days of communication. All grievances and actions taken to resolve the grievance will be documented, kept confidential, and only used to improve future courses.

Refund and/or Cancellation Requests:

If you are unable to attend and/or exhibit, we ask that you notify us as soon as possible at conferences@mimh.edu . Cancellations received in writing 5 business days prior for online programs, and 30 business days prior for in-person programs prior to the date of the program will be refunded, less a processing fee. For registrants, you may send a substitute, but we ask that you notify us in writing of this change at conferences@mimh.edu . If you do not attend or send a substitute, you or your employer will be responsible for the registration fee and/or exhibit fee in full.

 

Course Completion Requirements:

1. Attend course
2. Submit the online course evaluation
3. Your CE Certificate will be available in your Canvas account upon submission of the course evaluation

 

Deadline to Register: Registrations may be taken up until one hour before the start of the program to allow for time to receive instructions and login.

 

System Requirements:

• An internet connection – broadband wired or wireless (4G/LTE or 5G)
• Speakers and a microphone – built-in, USB plug-in, or wireless Bluetooth. Participants’ audio and video functionality will initially be off during the webinar. Participants may choose to turn on their own video and/or audio, but are not required to. Participants may type questions in the Q&A or Chat functions in Zoom. The host or speaker will read each question/comment and respond to them during the training.
• A webcam is not required for participants. Participants may choose to turn on their own video and/or audio, but are not required to. The speaker and the host will have their webcam and audio functionality turned on throughout the webinar, so you may see the speaker, host, and slides.

 

Certificate of Credit:

1. Certificate of credit will be available in your Canvas account after the course evaluation has been submitted
2. Save your certificate of credit and any pertinent course information (flyer, brochure, program, schedule, agenda, etc.) for your records
3. UMSL | MIMH, Professional Training Center will maintain a record of your attendance and certificate of credit for seven years after program start date

 

Organization Responsible for Course:

UMSL | Missouri Institute of Mental Health, Professional Training Center

RCEW Building

8225 Florissant Rd.

St. Louis, MO 63121-2020

Website: www.mimhtraining.com 

Contact Information: conferences@mimh.edu | 314-516-8419