2022 Gender Spectrum Professionals' Symposium

Having access to supportive resources is a powerful protective factor and has been tied to a number of positive health and wellbeing outcomes for children and youth. Studies document that youth who have strong relationships with caring adults (e.g., family members, teachers and counselors), and are linked to supportive resources and services (e.g., school and community events, youth groups), are more likely to experience healthy adjustment and functioning when compared to youth that lack such support. Conversely, inadequate levels of support are correlated with a host of health- and wellbeing-related concerns such as lower levels of educational achievement, economic vulnerability, socioemotional challenges, and health difficulties.

Providers and caregivers can do a great deal to assist LGBTQ youth in developing and maintaining healthy, supportive relationships, and to connect them to resources that are safe, appropriate, and affirming of who they are. Accordingly, this workshop will provide an overview of a practice tool called an ecomap that has been specifically designed to identify and reflect on the quality and sources of LGBTQ youth’s relationships, the resources and services they are receiving, and any unmet support-related needs they may be experiencing. Explicit attention will be given to the strength and structure of support in relation to youths’ sexuality, gender identity, race, and ethnicity. Participants will have the opportunity to practice using the tool during the workshop using a case scenario. Strategies for engaging in strengths-based, intersectionally grounded, and affirming dialogue with youth will also be discussed.