Bernell Elzey, PhD, a faculty member in the counseling division and Program Director of Seattle’s CMHC program, was invited to the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES) as one of their featured pre-conference presenters. SACES cultivates an inclusive community of counselor educators and supervisors who develop leaders and counselors committed to professional advocacy and dedicated to client equity and well-being. Its mission is to empower and support diverse counselor educators and supervisors in scholarship, advocacy, community, education, and supervision.
Elzey delivered a presentation titled: “Reality vs. Ethics: A Counselor’s Role in Supporting Their Clients in an Anti-LGBTQ+ World.” Approximately 3.2 million youth identify as LGBTQ+ and many are susceptible to badgering, persecution, or harm. Recently, many states have introduced an unprecedented number of bills targeting LGBTQ+ rights, which has created ethical dilemmas in which laws and the best interests, desires, and values of clients conflict. Elzey’s workshop gave practitioners the practical skills and knowledge to work ethically with LGBTQ+ clients and students in schools. By discovering how other counselors understand LGBTQ+ identities, use inclusive language, and advocate for policy changes that promote equality and inclusion, counselors can create a safe and supportive environment for all clients.
Read more about Elzey’s work here.
