Becoming an Active-Ally to the Trans and Non-binary Communities
Workshop Description
This workshop for mental health service providers is an experiential workshop that invites participants to: learn and implement new vocabulary; map and expand their understanding of trans and gender-nonconforming identities; engage active-ally-focused practices; and develop skills that can be used and referenced in therapeutic work. Each exercise within the workshop is designed to engage participants in critical thinking regarding their identity as a mental health professional in relation to trans and gender-nonconforming individuals. These exercises are designed to work through the lens of deconstructing privilege.
Conference Track
Professional
Primary Contact
Kyle Sawyer, Building Allies/Executive Director
Workshop Presenters
Sara Stanizai, MA, LMFT, Building Allies, Prospect Therapy
Presenter Bio
Sara Stanizai (she/her), consulting clinician, is a licensed marriage and family therapist in her home state of California. She has extensive clinical experience and training in providing solution-focused, LGBTQ+-affirming therapy and maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Long Beach, CA. She joined Building Allies in 2018 and is committed to personal and professional development for people interested in intersectionality and motivated to dismantle oppressive systems at the individual and community level.
Kyle Sawyer, Building Allies
Presenter Bio
Kyle Sawyer (pronouns: they/he) is the founder of Building Allies, an organization dedicated to turning privilege into change. Kyle is a longtime trans activist and spends much of his time connecting his passions to social justice. Kyle has conducted many lectures and workshops regarding active-allyship to the trans and non-binary communities to help educate individuals, organizations, and service providers in the development of their own active-ally behavior.