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You Don’t Have to Explain Yourself Here: Reducing Emotional Labor in LGBTQ+ Counseling Practice

Cherliz Cohen, MHC-LP
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Description

This workshop explores how LGBTQ+ clients often enter therapy fatigued from repeatedly explaining and justifying their identities across systems. Grounded in APA affirmative practice guidelines, it examines how well-intentioned clinicians may unintentionally place additional emotional labor on clients. The session emphasizes relational responsibility, humility, and the ethical importance of self-education outside the therapy room. Participants will learn how presence, attuned pacing, and repair can function as meaningful interventions.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify ways clinicians may unintentionally place additional emotional labor on LGBTQ+ clients within the therapeutic process.

  • Explain the impact of microaggressions, provider knowledge gaps, and identity-based fatigue on client engagement and mental health outcomes.

  • Apply strategies such as attuned pacing, deep listening, and repair to reduce narrative burden and strengthen the therapeutic alliance.

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this workshop supports clinicians in developing greater clinical attunement and relational responsibility when working with LGBTQ+ clients, particularly in recognizing and reducing identity-based emotional labor. Participants will strengthen their ability to integrate presence, humility, and repair into practice to enhance therapeutic alliance and provide more affirming, ethical care.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Cherliz Cohen, MHC-LP
Cherliz Cohen is a doctoral student in School-Community Psychology at Hofstra University and a practicing clinician in New York (MHC-LP). Her work centers on supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and those navigating anxiety, trauma, and identity-related concerns. Drawing from trauma-informed and affirming approaches, she focuses on creating space for clients to feel understood while building insight, resilience, and meaningful change.

Financially Sponsored By

  • New Jersey Counseling Association (NJCA)