Narrative In Action Series
Queer Counseling & Narrative Practice with Charley Lang
Course Description
This course gives four lessons exploring the engagement of strength-based narrative practices when consulting with clients identified as L(lesbian), G(gay), B(bisexual), T(transgender) and/or Q(queer): Situating Ourselves with a Narrative Stance, Whose Life Is it Anyway?, A Queer Umbrella for All, and Voices from the Margins. For an additional $25, registrants can earn 8 APA approved CE credits through Alliant International University. For course objectives, see below.
We are thrilled to welcome Charley Lang, who has taken to online course construction like a fish to water. I first met Charley strolling the streets of Havana at the 2009 Narrative Cuba Conference. Charley wears many hats. An actor in his previous life (The West Wing, Star Trek: The Next Generation, NYPD Blue, ER, among many others…), he is co-founder of Narrative Counseling Center in Los Angeles, where he consults with individuals and couples, and trains interns and therapists in the many strength-based practices of narrative therapy. He loves teaching and developing new course material, something he does a lot at Antioch University and elsewhere in the Los Angeles area. Charley has also produced and directed three award-winning documentary films, all of which are included in this course curriculum!
To learn more about Charley, click here.
Registration now open!
- Regular Ticket: $110
- Student or Fixed income: $99
- CE credit certificate: $25 USD
When you purchase the course
- You will receive an email with the link to the correct page for beginning the course.
- Each lesson and topic also has space at the bottom for comments.
- Contact us if you would like a Study-Buddy – a partner with whom to move through the course.
- When a group of 6 or more signs up, we can offer a live webinar.
- Please contact us to inquire about a group rate, a scholarship reduced fee or a live webinar.
If you have already registered, access course here:
Earning Continuing Education?
Psychologists and other mental health professionals can earn 12 APA approved Continuing Education credits through Alliant International University! You will need to pay the extra $25 fee. Simply pass the quiz at the end of the course, and email your confirmation to [email protected] We will send you the certificate of completion.
Course Objectives
Participants will:
- Articulate an understanding of heterosexism and its marginalizing effects on LGBTQ-identified individuals;
- Explore the underlying assumptions and beginning practices of strength-based narrative therapy in nurturing preferred LGBTQ identities;
- Demonstrate an ability to reflect on the broader political, psychological and sociological issues impacting many LGBTQ persons through reading, videos, and online quiz.
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Demonstrate an understanding of the inherent assumptions of narrative therapy approaches to psychotherapy.
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Develop emerging skills as clinicians engaged in narrative therapy practice with marginalized individuals and families.
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Synthesize the assumptions and practices of narrative therapy through a lens of LGBTQ awareness and social justice action.
Watch our Introduction!
Here is a brief introduction by Charley Lang:
Lesson Descriptions
Lesson One: Situating Ourselves with a Narrative Stance
We start by questioning the dominant idea that there are only two genders and that sex should always be congruent with gender, addressing the concept of fluid sexualities and sexual orientations. We identify numerous assumptions that ground us in the work as narrative practitioners, and deconstruct the marginalizing concept of “normal”. The lesson ends with a real-life narrative conversation charting the history of personal empowerment in the face of adversities common to many queer-identified individuals.
Guided by: Charley Lang, with a focus on the works of Mary Heath, Julie Tilsen, David Nylund and Peggy Sax
Lesson Two: Whose Life Is It Anyway?
This lesson clarifies the use of externalizing language when working with LGBTQ clients, providing a real-life case example of narrative practices in action, addressing a gay man as the expert on his own life. We then venture into a group therapy context, providing numerous examples of narrative questions that help construct empowering experiences of community. We end with an award-winning film that documents remarkable community resourcefulness in the face of devastating challenges and loss.
Guided by: Charley Lang with a focus on the works of Chris Behan and Eric Schiff
Lesson Three: A Queer Umbrella for All
We begin by addressing the challenges of LGBTQ individuals faced with the marginalizing effects of religion, and the ways that many have found to re-connect with a sense of spirituality. Next, we explore the challenges faced by parents and their LGBTQ teens, followed by the award-winning film documenting the first gay & lesbian prom in America. We finish with an exercise engaging the narrative practices of deconstructing heterosexism.
Guided by Charley Lang, with a focus on the works of Charles Jasper and Susan Saltzburg
Lesson Four: Voices from the Margins
This lesson gives voice to unique experiences of transgender and bisexual individuals, followed by an exercise emphasizing the importance of resourcefulness in the face of sexual identity oppression. We end with an award-winning film, documenting the experiences of gay and lesbian law enforcement officers from across the United States.