Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2024 @ 3:00-4:30pm ET

Description:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of reported cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in 2021 were among adolescents and young adults aged 15–24 years. In addition, men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionally impacted by STIs, with 40% of them with syphilis diagnosed with HIV. Overall, there are approximately 20 million new sexually transmitted infections annually in the United States. This webinar will discuss high-risk sexual behaviors among adolescents and young adults. It will share information about missed opportunities to screen for sexually transmitted infections and HIV. It will demonstrate the integration of the SBIRT Model. This webinar will also challenge counselors to have conversations with their clients to minimize the stigma of STIs and HIV, normalize the importance of discussing sex and sexuality, and motivate clients to use preventive measures to avoid the transmission of STIs and HIV.

Presenter:

Lisa Connors, PhD, LCPC, LPC, MAC, is an adjunct faculty teaching ethics, family counseling, and substance use disorder courses at Anne Arundel Community College. Her greatest passion is working with and providing training related to individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use and mental health disorders, violence/abuse/trauma, grief and loss, and social injustices with organizations such as NAADAC, Maryland Department of Health, National Association of Social Workers-Maryland Chapter, NBCC Foundation, Central East ATTC, and NORC at the University of Chicago. Connors has served on two panels for the Engagement in the Black Community Summit. She is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) and master addiction counselor (MAC), specializing in clinical work with clients with co-occurring, trauma, and grief and loss issues. In addition, Connors is a pastor and life/grief/relationship/recovery coach.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to summarize the importance of discussing sex, sexuality, and safer sex practices with clients.
• Participants will be able to describe barriers, obstacles, and missed opportunities that may exist for clients who are at higher risk of contracting STIs and HIV.
• Participants will be able to utilize three ways to screen, conduct brief interventions, and refer high-risk clients to appropriate services.

Content Level:

Beginning and Intermediate.

• Beginning level courses introduce learners to a content area; include information about a condition, treatment method, or issue; and involve learning and comprehending content.
• Intermediate level courses provide information that builds on knowledge practitioners with some experience already have. These courses focus on skill-building or adding knowledge, possibly following a brief overview of basic information, and involve using information in concrete situations and understanding the underlying structure of the material.

Price:

Education is FREE to all professionals.