Beyond Visibility: Clinical Practice with Older Adults Exploring Queer Identity, Sexuality, and Authenticity in Later Life
Description
Older adulthood is often incorrectly conceptualized as a period of diminished identity exploration, sexuality, and relational development. For many LGBTQ+ older adults, however, later life may represent the first opportunity to safely explore queer identity, gender expression, intimacy, and authenticity after decades shaped by stigma, concealment, discrimination, or survival-based adaptation.
This intermediate-level clinical training supports practitioners in developing affirming, trauma-informed approaches when working with older adults navigating LGBTQ+ identity exploration, coming out later in life, relationship transitions, family estrangement, internalized stigma, healthcare discrimination, and changing support systems. The session will primarily utilize clinical case studies to examine complex presentations involving identity development, grief and loss, sexuality, embodiment, aging, and intersectionality.
Participants will explore how historical experiences of oppression, including criminalization, pathologization, religious trauma, and medical discrimination, continue to influence therapeutic relationships and treatment goals among LGBTQ+ older adults. Case discussions will focus on clinical assessment, therapeutic interventions, ethical considerations, and strategies for creating affirming spaces within private practice.
Through an applied case-based format, participants will strengthen their ability to recognize ageism and heteronormativity in clinical settings while supporting older adults in developing integrated identities, meaningful relationships, and authentic expressions of self across the lifespan.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Identify common clinical concerns affecting LGBTQ+ older adults, including later-life identity exploration, minority stress, grief, isolation, family dynamics, and healthcare-related trauma.
- Apply affirmative clinical frameworks to assess and support older adults exploring sexual orientation, gender identity, and authentic self-expression later in life.
- Develop practical strategies for creating age-affirming and LGBTQ+ culturally responsive private practice environments.
Instructor Bio
Christa McCrorie is an internationally recognized social work educator, clinical therapist, researcher, and consultant whose work integrates trauma-informed care, LGBTQ+ affirming practice, perinatal mental health, sexuality, embodiment, and social justice. Through her teaching, clinical practice, research, and professional training, she advances innovative, relationship-centered approaches to social work practice and education.
As the founder of Creative Therapeutic Solutions, LLC in Birmingham, Alabama, Christa provides psychotherapy and clinical supervision with specialties in trauma processing, queer and transgender affirming care, identity development, relationships, sexuality, and life transitions. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Social Work Clinical Supervisor, and holds a Private Independent Practice credential in Alabama. She is also a DONA International Certified Birth Doula and a Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Therapist.
Christa's scholarship explores the intersections of identity, embodiment, relational healing, and liberation, with a focus on how the body, relationships, and social systems shape well being and human connection. Her work emphasizes practical, evidence-informed approaches that help clinicians provide compassionate, affirming, and culturally responsive care.
An emerging international voice in social work and relational health, Christa presents nationally and globally on topics including LGBTQ+ mental health, queer and trans healthcare, perinatal experiences, clinical supervision, sexuality, and embodied approaches to healing. She was selected as a Fulbright Specialist through the U.S. Department of State in recognition of her contributions to social work and community well being.
In addition to her academic and clinical work, Christa is an author, media contributor, and public educator. She is the author of “Rediscovering You: Exploring Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation for Established Adults” and has contributed expertise to numerous media outlets and social work publications. She also develops educational programming on mental health, emotional regulation, gender identity, sexuality, and affirming clinical practice.
Whether working with local communities in Alabama or collaborating with partners around the world, Christa is committed to fostering healing through authenticity, connection, curiosity, and compassion. Her work bridges clinical practice, scholarship, and education to help individuals, professionals, and systems create more equitable, affirming, and human-centered care.
The instructor does not have any conflicts of interest for this webinar.
Contact Us
For questions, please contact: ce@gsapp.rutgers.edu
Continuing Education Policy:
Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0123.
Rutgers Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Rutgers Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 8145. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.