Although substantial progress has been made pertaining to LGBTQ+ rights over the past decade, there is still a great deal of work that needs to be done in order to continue normalizing diversity in gender and sexual minority individuals.

While young people in many states are beginning to come out and be more confident earlier in life, many youths are still struggling to find secure housing, gain and maintain employment, have family support, and sustain safety. LGBTQ+ older adults are oftentimes marginalized in society, struggling to find supportive communities and medical providers who understand the intersectionality of their identities.

These are just a few of the hurdles LGBTQ+ individuals may be faced with throughout their lives. Due to these challenges and the lack of appropriate support and resources, many LGBTQ+ individuals are more vulnerable to experiencing mental health challenges.

In this workshop, Jordan Held, LCSW (he/him) and Beck Gee-Cohen, MA (he/him) will discuss how clinicians, as well as family, friends, and community members, can be an integral part of creating spaces of healing and safety for LGBTQ+ individuals of all ages through increased education, visibility, and awareness.

Learning Objectives:

About the Presenters

Beck is a master’s level clinician with an undergraduate degree in Sociology with an emphasis on Gender & Sexuality and a master’s degree in Addiction Counseling. Beck has worked in the mental health and substance use field for over 10 years in various capacities. The main focus of his work has been invested in the LGBTQI+ community, adolescents, and families. Over this decade, Beck has trained numerous facilities on LGBTQI+ best practices, has been a keynote and presenter at many conferences and has facilitated workshops about LGBTQI+, trauma, adolescents, gender and sexuality.

Beck grew up outside of Los Angeles and has lived in many states across the U.S. He got sober July 11, 2005, and believes recovery is the foundation of his success and gave him the ability to live authentically. Beck’s superpower is using his platform to speak out about issues of social justice. He loves musicals and Madonna. 

Jordan Held, LCSW (he/him) is a Private Practice Family Therapist and LGBTQ+ Specialist. Jordan’s therapeutic practice centers around creating a healing-centered space for adolescents and their families, working to decrease negative patterns and strengthen the family system. Jordan specializes in working with adolescents displaying complex mental health presentations, including suicidality and persistent mood disorders. Jordan is trained in EMDR and Narrative Exposure Therapy, with expertise working with acute and chronic PTSD and other trauma related disorders.

 Jordan is an adjunct clinician at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, providing trainings, consultations, and community education on identity and adolescent development. Jordan sits on multiple Board of Directors, serving the LGBTQ+ community nationally. Jordan has worked extensively in secondary school education, developing health and wellness curricula, focusing on DEI and cultivating strength and resiliency for adolescents.