Heteronormativity: Making an Invisible Force Visible Within Healthcare Practice
Sexual diversity is an innate part of being human, and research has shown that sexual expression, orientation, and gender identity is more complex than generally considered.
The degree to which healthcare providers are aware of their own heteronormative assumptions about sexuality and gender can have a critical impact on quality of care for sexual minorities. There is limited human sexuality education provided in medical schools, in graduate level counseling programs, or graduate level clinical psychology programs. Comprehensive sexuality education is critical to ensure ethical conduct within the healthcare professions.
Multicultural counseling is best served by the inclusivity of all minority populations, including race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality. Multicultural competence is considered part of ethical care for healthcare providers, but the degree to which healthcare providers are culturally competent in sexual healthcare varies quite drastically.
There has been growing importance of the training and development in multicultural competence in psychotherapy practice, and it is now considered a cornerstone of professional counseling and psychotherapy competence. Much in the same way that societal context with regard to race impacts a mental health professional’s point of view and clinical practice, attitudes towards sexual diversity are equally impacted.
How Do Heteronormative Assumptions Impact Treatment?
Coined in 1991, the term heteronormativity describes the degree to which heterosexuality reflects “normal” sexuality, and in doing so, oppresses other forms of sexually diverse expression.
Heteronormativity that is pervasive throughout social norms and formalized throughout institutional structures operates largely by means of an invisible force that causes oppression for sexual minorities. Successful treatment outcomes are compromised for patients seeking healthcare from many times well-intended providers who are unaware of heteronormative assumptions that have a negative impact on patients.
CEU Trainings Available
Part 1 of this CEU training will provide information to aide in the development of multicultural competence in working with sexual minorities, including:
Experiential exercises to illustrate the degree to which participants hold heteronormative assumptions they were previously unaware of
Current definition of heteronormativity
Education on the historical evolution of theoretical developments that led to the development of heteronormativity
Identification of key theorists and their theoretical frameworks that contributed to the development of heteronormativity
Definitions and explanations of the current subgroups within heteronormativity
Part 2 of the CEU training will:
Outline clinical vignettes common in healthcare settings relevant to heteronormative assumptions
Cite research that illustrates the impact of heteronormative assumptions as occur in healthcare settings and compromise care and treatment outcome
Make recommendations for improving cultural competence in healthcare settings for providers while working with sexual minorities
Check back soon for when the second part of this training becomes available.
We also provide training and education for providers. Learn more and schedule a consultation today.