Syllabus

SSWO 622: Affirming Social Work Practice Across Communities II (Summer A 2026)

Credits - 3

Description

This course builds upon foundational knowledge to deepen students’ clinical competencies and ethical practice skills when working with LGBTQIA+ individuals, families, and groups. Emphasis is placed on affirming assessment and diagnostic processes, including a historical review of the DSM’s treatment of sexual orientation and gender identity, the exploration of common and complex clinical presentations, and the behavioral health disparities impacting LGBTQIA+ communities. Students will critically examine practice theories relevant to LGBTQIA+ populations, including trauma-informed, strengths-based, and minority stress frameworks, and apply evidence-based and evidence-informed interventions across practice settings. The course also presents information on the harmful and unethical practice of conversion therapy, including its historical roots, contemporary manifestations, and professional consensus opposing its use. Ethical considerations—including confidentiality, informed consent, documentation, dual relationships, and navigating value conflicts—are explored with particular attention to best practices in documentation for services provided to LGBTQIA+ clients. Students will also review key highlights of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care as they relate to ethical, affirming practice with clients seeking medical transition-related services. Designed to support the development of clinical judgment and professional confidence, this course prepares social work students and allied health professionals to deliver ethically sound, culturally responsive, and clinically effective care with LGBTQIA+ individuals, families, and groups.

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

School of Social Work Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the UNE SSWO will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:

1. Demonstrates ethical and professional behavior.
2. Advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
3. Engage in anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice.
4. Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
5. Engage in policy practice.
6. Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
7. Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
8. Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
9. Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Conduct affirming biopsychosocial assessments with LGBTQIA+ individuals, families, and groups that integrate cultural humility, strengths-based perspectives, and trauma-informed principles.
2. Critically evaluate diagnostic frameworks, including the DSM, by analyzing historical and contemporary approaches to sexual orientation and gender identity and assessing their ethical and clinical implications.
3. Differentiate affirming from non-affirming and harmful practices, including identifying the ethical violations inherent in conversion therapy.
4. Apply evidence-based and evidence-informed clinical interventions that are responsive to LGBTQIA+ clients’ developmental stages, intersecting identities, and presenting concerns.
5. Integrate minority stress theory, trauma-informed care, and strengths-based frameworks into case conceptualization, treatment planning, and clinical decision-making.
6. Identify and analyze behavioral health disparities impacting LGBTQIA+ communities and explain how stigma, discrimination, and systemic barriers influence clinical outcomes.
7. Demonstrate ethical documentation practices that reflect affirming language, protect client confidentiality, and meet professional and legal standards of care.
8. Explain key components of the WPATH Standards of Care and apply these principles to ethically grounded social work practice with clients seeking medical transition-related services.
9. Navigate ethical dilemmas in affirming practice by applying professional ethical standards related to confidentiality, informed consent, documentation, dual relationships, and value conflicts.
10. Articulate and defend an affirming professional stance grounded in social work ethics, clinical competence, and respect for client self-determination.

Assignments

Full assignment requirements, rubrics, and due dates for all learning activities are provided in the course.

Introduction Video

In the first week, you will complete an introduction video to your instructor, addressing prompts that will be provided for you. Please note: These will not be shared with any of your classmates.

Whole Class Discussions

You will be asked to post one initial response to Whole Class Discussion Questions throughout the course, and then make a minimum of 2 peer response comments to each Discussion prompt. Postings must meet the criteria for substantiveness to earn the maximum points available.

Small Group Discussions

There will be an opportunity to engage in small group discussions to dig deeper into course materials.

Self-Reflection Journals

There will be four self-reflection journals submitted directly to your instructor, where you can use your authentic voice to respond to the prompts provided.

Teach Back 

There will be two partnered teach-back assignments. One in Week 3 focusing on Evidence-Based Practices, and one in Week 6 focusing on Exploring a Population or Clinical Concern. 

Affirming Care Practice Guide

This assignment invites you to step into the role of clinical leader and educator by integrating theory, ethics, clinical skill, and professional accountability into a usable resource.

Progress Note

In this assignment, you will review a progress note from a clinical session involving a fictional transgender client. The note contains examples of non-affirming language, subtle (and not so subtle) microaggressions, outdated terminology, and ethical concerns. You will have the opportunity to identify these examples and provide suggestions for what should be in their place.

Grading Policy

The School of Social Work uses the following grading system for all courses with the exception of field education courses. Students are expected to maintain a “B” (3.0) average over the course of their study. Students with less than a GPA of 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to receive their Master’s Degree.

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown