CAMP Rehoboth seeks to expand access to LGBTQ+ affirming therapists
CAMP Rehoboth has partnered with Yale University to increase the number of LGBTQ+ affirming mental healthcare providers available for all ages in Sussex County and throughout Delaware. Over 12 sessions, CAMP Rehoboth and the Yale LGBTQ Mental Health Initiative – in partnership with CenterLink – facilitated a training program in LGBTQ+ affirmative cognitive behavioral therapy.
The sessions were led by Yale’s expert trainers, all of whom are licensed psychologists and nationally recognized developers of LGBTQ-affirmative CBT education. With the training complete, CAMP Rehoboth now has a longer referral list of LGBTQ+ affirming mental healthcare providers serving the LGBTQ+ community.
One of those providers is Dr. Wendi Schirvar, a licensed clinical psychologist with Beebe Medical Group and core faculty member with the Beebe Graduate Medical Education - Family Medicine Training program. “Persons who identify in the LGBTQ+ population face difficulties not experienced by the general population,” said Schirvar. “Often, their experiences have historical significance prior to their coming out and may lead to undiagnosed mental health issues and resulting treatment by others. Helping people understand the multitude of psychosocial variables that impact wellness and mental health can better determine areas of focus.”
The Yale LGBTQ Mental Health Initiative is housed within the Yale School of Public Health and Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, and draws upon Yale’s interdisciplinary expertise to advance its mission. The Initiative provides a home for scholars and scholarship devoted to understanding and improving the mental health of LGBTQ populations in the U.S. and around the world. Its mission is carried out, in part, by training and educating diverse future leaders in LGBTQ mental health research.
“We are deeply appreciative of the mental health providers who participated in this training and research,” said Kim Leisey, PhD, CAMP Rehoboth executive director. “Our entire community will benefit from their work moving forward. Thank you as well to CenterLink and Yale University for their partnership.”
Learn more at camprehoboth.org.
