Minnesota's LGBTQ+ Mental Health Providers' Professional Network

        

Volume II, Issue 12

The Network: The MN LGBT Therapist eNewsletter
6.9.09                                                               

Invitation

Members are invited to submit notices & announcements!
Do you run a Group? Or know of an upcoming workshop or event for our clients or us? Know something that other QLGBTA mental health professionals may also want to know? Please submit it for the next eNewsletter! See end of eNewsletter for details.

About This eNewsletter

The Minnesota LGBT Therapists eNewsletter is a free networking tool for members of the LGBT Therapists network. All network members are welcome to contribute to this grassroots bi-weekly eNewsletter. Just send your referral question, announcement, member accomplishment, space available information, event, conference, workshop, group information, or other pertinent notice to enews@LGBTtherapists.org. The LGBT Therapists eNewsletter is sent out every second Tuesday of the month.  All responses to questions, ads, workshops, etc. should be emailed directly back to the contact person in the notice. If you want your name added or deleted from the eNewsletter email list, use the links below.  Please note that if you do decide to delete your email, you will no longer receive general LGBT Therapists network communications, such as event announcements. If you want to become a member of this organization please visit the LGBT Therapists website.

Thank you! Irene Greene, Minnesota's LGBT Therapists eNewsletter Coordinator

Sign up for our eNewsletter 

 

Welcome to the MN LGBTQA Therapists eNewsletter!

What's Up with The Network?

  • Happenings of the Network
  • Network Steering Committee Update
  • 2010 Conference Notes
  • Groups
  • Therapist Wanted/Research Subjects Needed
  • Conferences & Workshops
  • Upcoming Events
  • LGBT News Bits
  • Office Space Wanted & For Rent
  • Quote of the Day
  • NEXT ISSUE: MEMBER NEWS UPDATES!  Are you doing a group or a workshop? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Get free publicity here! Submissions due by: Fri., 6/19.

Advertise your business in this eNewsletter! It is a perk of your paid membership. Send us your contact info and client populations & see it printed in the next eNewsletter on Tuesday, 6/23.
This eNewsletter reaches over 115 psychotherapists and organizations, and is growing every week!  Become a member! YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF ON OUR WEB!

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: www.LGBTtherapists.org

Happenings of "THE NETWORK"!

I.  The MN.LGBT Therapist Network Booth at PRIDE 2009!
TC Pride Week-end is June 27 & 28. Look for our table at PRIDE!
 A few slots are still available on the booth staffing schedule. Contact Irene Greene if you want to staff the booth on Saturday or Sunday. The final schedule will be determined by next week & folks will then be notified. irenegreene@earthlink.net

PUBLICIZE YOUR PRACTICE AT PRIDE!
Pride Booth Announcement!
There is still time to have your brochures or business cards on display at the LGBT Therapists' Pride Booth. Send a $20.00 check to Dennis Christian or drop off a check at the booth on Saturday. If you can't get to Loring Park, put your check, cards, and brochure in an envelop and mail them together with a stamped self-addressed envelop to Dennis Christian and he will return them to you after the festival is over.
Dennis V Christian, LICSW., DCSW
621 W Lake Street, Suite 325
Minneapolis, MN  55408
612.940.7033
support@dennischristian.com

II. LGBTQ Mental Health Issues MIDWEST Conference at UM:
March 26, 2010!

Do you want to present a workshop or facilitate a panel at the Conference or know someone in the country or world who would? Workshop Proposal Applications will be available from our website by June 15.
(See more info below-Steering Committee News)

Conference Date: Friday, March 26, 2010
Title: "Beyond the Boxes: Emerging Trends in LGBTQ Mental Health"
Location: Coffman Memorial Union, Third Floor, UM-Minneapolis Campus
Three Tracks: clinical, research, community

MN.LGBT Therapists' Network is in collaboration with the GLBTA Programs Office at the University of Minnesota to co-spnsor an all-day midwest conference on LGBTQ mental health issues. Planning has begun and your participation will help guarantee a successful conference.

This one-day conference, which will be held at the UM in Spring 2010, will be open to mental health professionals and students in the mental health fields.

"The Network":
Steering Committee Update:

JOIN THE STEERING COMMITTEE or the 2010 Conference sub-committee.

All members are welcome to join the steering committee or Conference Planning sub-committees or come to meetings!  We need help and ideas!

Next Steering Committee Meeting/Conference Planning Meeting:  (NOTE MEETING PLACE/TIME CHANGE)
DATE: Friday, July 10, 2009
TIME: 1130-1pm (lunch provided by GLBT Programs Office)
PLACE: The University of Minnesota, Coffman Memorial Union, Third Floor, Minneapolis 
 
Steering Committee Agenda: (First part: Conference Planning Committee Mtg: see the space for the Conference. The last 1/2 hour: The Network Steering Committee Business mtg):
1130-1pm: UM/Network Conference Committee Planning Meeting
100-1:30: The Network Business Meeting: Review PRIDE Booth; Plan Fall Program

Contact Irene @ irenegreene@earthlink.net or 612.874.6442 if you would like information about any of these above activities and/or to help.
The Network Steering Committee:  Dennis Christian, Mindy Benowitz, Phil Oxman, Owen Konecnik, Bonnie Berg, & Irene Greene.

www.LGBTtherapists.org
Check out our website:www.LGBTtherapists.org  
Find your information and check out other therapists' information.

2010 Conference Notes:

(1) Help us publicize the conference through your website.

If you have a website, would you be willing to post information about our 2010 Conference and put a link to the Network for more information? We will supply you with the content. PLEASE contact Dennis Christian, Conference Publicity Chair at <support@dennischristian.com >  Starting mid-June, we WOULD LIKE TO PUBLICIZE THE REQUEST FOR WORKSHOP PROPOSALS .

(2) Serve on A Committee:
Network Members may participate in the Conference Planning in the following ways:

1. General Conference Planning Committee, Co-Chairs: Irene Greene (irenegreene@earthlink.net ) & Anne Phibbs, UM GLBTA Programs Office)
2. Program Committee, Chair, Bonnie Burg (bburglcsw@aol.com ) (The next formal meeting of the Program Committee is Friday, 9/11, 10:30-11:30am at 100 West Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis)
3. Community Liaison Committee, Chair, Owen Konecnik (owen@counselorminneapolis.com )
4. Publicity Committee, Chair Dennis Christian (support@dennischristian.com )

Sign Up.  Be Involved.  Spread the Word. Think about doing a workshop proposal.

WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION.

GROUPS:
Sexual Abuse Therapy Group for Women:
Therapy group for survivors of childhood and/or young adult sexual abuse or trauma. This group for high-functioning women offers: opportunities for sharing abuse stories; explores the impact of abuse on self-esteem, relationships, & sexuality; explores strategies to deal with intrusive memories, feelings of anger, shame and self-hate; and explores family of origin issues, current life needs and issues, and self-care.
Group meets Tuesdays, 415-545
Co-leaders: Mindy Benowitz & Irene Greene
100 West Franklin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN  55404
For more information: 612.870.0398
Most insurance accepted.

Therapist Wanted & Research Subjects Needed:
 (FYI: Requests for therapists are open to ANY Network members. These come to us via email from our website. Any Network member who wants to respond to a request is welcome to do so. it is a perk of your membership.)

(1) Therapist Wanted:
(lampi.nainen@gmail.com ) May 29, 2009
Name: Monica
Comment: I am in search of a therapist who understands bisexual/queer identified people..... I have UofM medica insurance and prefer to choose someone that is covered and will go through insurance. I can check on the provider coverage.
If you are interested, I would like to set up an appointment/consultation to see if we are a good fit.

(2) Research on Gay/Bisexual Dads:

(GayDadsStudy@gmail.com )
Saturday, May 30, 2009
My name is Samantha L. Tornello and I am currently working on a research project with Dr. Charlotte J. Patterson at the University of Virginia to study families headed by gay/bisexual fathers. I am contacting you to ask if we could advertise our study to your email list, website, and/or newsletter. The study consists of an online survey and will take approximately 25- 35 minutes of each participant's time. To qualify for the study the participant would have to identify as male, a father, and gay, bisexual or homosexual and have at least one child of any age; this child can be biological, adopted, foster, step, or other child. A man does not need to be the child's legal parent to participate. This study has been approved by the University of Virginia IRB #2008-0407-00. The listing which has been approved for distribution is below for your review.
 
If you have any questions or need further information please contact Samantha L. Tornello at GayDadsStudy@gmail.com or at (434) 243-8558. Thank you for your time.
 
Sincerely,
Samantha L. Tornello, M.A.
University of Virginia
Graduate Student
http://sites.google.com/site/samanthatornello/

Are you a gay/bisexual dad?  Would you be willing to answer some confidential questions about your life and about your family?  The purpose of this study is to examine the many ways families headed by gay fathers have been created, explore how families function, and learn about the relationship between partners. 
 
The study consists of an online survey and will take approximately 25- 35 minutes of your time.  To qualify for the study you have to identify as male, a father, and gay, bisexual or homosexual and have at least one child of any age; this child can be biological, adopted, foster, step, or other child. You do not need to be the child's legal parent to participate. This study has been approved by the University of Virginia IRB #2008-0407-00, and I am working with Dr. Charlotte J. Patterson who is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia.
 
If you and/or your partner are interested in participating or want further information please contact Samantha L. Tornello (Principal Investigator) via email GayDadsStudy@gmail.com .  She will send you a web link that you can use to access the study.
 
Thank you for your interest and I hope to hear about your family soon!
 
Sincerely,
Samantha Tornello
Graduate Student
University of Virginia
(434) 243-8558
GayDadsStudy@gmail.com
 

Conferences & Workshops:

(1) Workshop:
Talking to Teenagers About Sex
"I Learned about my clitoris in the girls bathroom"
DATE:  Sunday, June 7th
TIME:  7:00pm - 8:30pm
PLACE: The Smitten Kitten
            3010 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls, MN
COST:  FREE!
INFO:  612-721-6088
Teenagers say that their most valued source of information about sex is their parents, and yet these conversations are not taking place in most households. Research shows that being able to discuss sex openly with a parent is a very powerful factor in positive and healthy sexual development.
 
If you would like to open a dialogue about sex with a young person you are close to, but don't know how to get started, this workshop aims to help you feel more comfortable by providing some strategies to make talking about sex simple, clear, and fun. This is event is free.

(2) Introductory Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Courses
Introductory Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Courses offered by Seeds of Mindfulness, Judith Lies, LMFT, begin June 16th, both AM and PM options available. CEU's available for Mental Health Professionals, teachers, and nurses. Check the website for details and registration form: www.seedsofmindfulness.com , or questions 612.343.1623. Register by June 10th. Bringing Jon Kabat-Zinn's research validated MBSR to the Twin Cities for 16 years. Thank you for your referrals.

(3) Understanding Gender Identity:
Supporting Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Students with special guests: Janet Bystrom, LICSW
and Youth Board Members from TYSN (Trans Youth Support Network)
June 15th, 2009
9 AM to 12 PM (3 CEU Hours)
Webster, Room 164
425 5th St. NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
 
Gender.  What is it?  How does gender identity develop? How does it order our schools? How are transgender and other gender non-conforming youth treated at your school?  How can you advocate for and support gender non-conforming students?
Earn CEUs and spend one of your last working days this school year at an interesting discussion about gender in our schools with Out4Good and our knowledgeable guests. We'll talk about gender identity, labels, pushing the gender envelope and ways to make your school a safer place for all students. Walk away with knowledge and tools to advocate with and for gender non-conforming and transgender students and their families.
 
Please consider joining us for this timely discussion! A recent nation-wide study of the experiences of Transgender students shows that discussing the needs of these students and finding better ways of supporting them in our schools is crucial to their development and academic success. The study found that:
·        The majority (90%) of transgender students heard derogatory remarks, such as "dyke" or "faggot," and heard negative remarks about someone's gender expression sometimes, often or frequently in school in the past year. -

·        Less than a fifth of transgender students said that school staff intervened most of the time or always when hearing homophobic remarks (16%) or negative remarks about someone???s gender expression (11%).

·        Two-thirds of transgender students felt unsafe in school because of their sexual orientation (69%) and how they expressed their gender (65%). -Almost all transgender students had been verbally harassed (e.g., called names or threatened) in the past year at school because of their sexual orientation (89%) and gender expression (87%).

·        More than half of all transgender students had been physically harassed, and more than a quarter of transgender students had been physically assaulted in school in the past year because of their sexual orientation (28%) and gender expression (26%).

·        Almost half of all transgender students reported skipping a class at least once in the past month (47%) and missing at least one day of school in the past month (46%) because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable.

Presenter Information:
Janet Bystrom is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. She has been providing individual, family and group therapy for LGBT youth for the last decade. She is dedicated to increasing access to mental health services to this community by addressing barriers related to safety, transportation and insurance.

The Trans Youth Support Network is a partnership of youth and community members working together to support trans youth in Minnesota whose mission is to promote racial, social, and economic equality for trans youth, with the freedom to self-define gender identity and expression.
 
Out4Good is the GLBT program of Minneapolis Public Schools. http://sss.mpls.k12.mn.us/Out4Good.html

Registration available on Ecompass <http://ecompass.truenorthlogic.org/ > . For more information contact Jessi Tebben at Out4Good at jessi.tebben@mpls.k12.mn.us or 612-668-5482
 
**Event open to all educators and school staff**
 
Jessi Tebben
Out4Good
GLBT Program Coordinator
Minneapolis Public Schools- Student Support Services
425 Fifth Street NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
 
Phone: 612-668-5482
Fax: 612-668-0855
Email: Jessi.Tebben@mpls.k12.mn.us
Out4Good Web Address:  http://sss.mpls.k12.mn.us

Upcoming Events: 

Rainbow Families Camps:
Registration Open!
Alexandria, MN - July 10-13 & July 16-19

This year marks the 10th annual Rainbow Families Camps, which feature all your family's favorites: family meals, campfires, crafts, swimming, games and the annual family talent show. Registration is now open, so click here to get started. Questions? Contact Abby Riskin at abby.riskin@familyequality.org or at 651-644-4848.

LGBT News Bits:
I took the liberty, as editor of this eNewsletter, to print this whole presidential proclamation.  We, queer people everywhere, SHOULD NOT have to live in a world where we are getting shivers over something that SHOULD already just be; but that's, I know, why it gave me shivers.
                                                                                -     Irene


www.whitehouse.gov/
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

___________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                     June 1, 2009

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.

LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country's response to the HIV pandemic.

Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration -- in both the White House and the Federal agencies -- openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.

The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.

My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.

These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA

Office Space Wanted/For Rent:

(1)Space Wanted:
 I'm looking for a new professional office to share or sublet, in St 
Paul or Minneapolis, either long-or short-term.
    You may wish to check my website: http://www.bmsreiki.com
    Please call or e-mail if you have a space that would accommodate a 
desk, 2 chairs, a massage table for Reiki treatments, and some space 
to do a bit of     movement work-stretches, etc.
    I look forward to hearing from you!
    Barbara M. Simmonds, M.A., Personal Life Coach~Reiki 
Master~Psychotherapist
    Phone:     612 827-2877
    E-Mail:     barbarasimmonds@bmsreiki.com

(2) Space Available in Minneapolis:
Beautiful sub-lease space available Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and most evenings. The office is in a renovated home on 35th and Lyndale and is shared with other therapists and body workers. Please contact Karen Heegaard at 612.810.7349 for more information. kfheeg@aol.com
   

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"If nature intended us to talk more than listen, she would have given us two mouths and one ear." -Anonymous

printed in: The Introvert Advantage,by Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D

About this eNewsletter:
The MN LGBT Therapist eNewsletter is a free networking tool for members of the LGBT Therapist Network. All Network members are welcome to contribute to this grass-roots bi-weekly eNewsletter. Just send your referral question, announcement, member accomplishment, space available information, event, conference, workshop, group information, or other pertinent notice to irenegreene@earthlink.net .

The MN LGBT Therapist eNewsletter is sent out every second Tuesday of the month.  All responses to questions, ads, workshops, etc. should be emailed directly back to the contact person in the notice. If you want your name added or deleted from the Network email list, please contact us .  Please note that if you do decide to delete your email, you will no longer receive general Network
communications, such as event announcements.

If you want to become a member of this organization please visit:  <http://www.LGBTTherapists.org >
Thank you! Irene Greene, MN LGBT Therapist eNewsletter Coordinator 

ARE YOU A MEMBER?

 If you are not a member, please become one! Each month we gain more members! We are over 115! YIPPEE!  Thanks always for supporting LGBT Therapists!

Questions?  Ready to pay?  Visit the new LGBT Therapists website

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