Sexual Diversity Ethics On-Demand Continuing Education Course for therapists, counselors, psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists

 

Ethical Considerations with Sexually Marginalized Clients: Competence with Sexual & Relational Minorities as an Ethical Obligation - 3 CEs


To access the discount form for registering for multiple workshops or participants, please click here.

  • CE Hours Included: 3 (please see below for CE details)
  • Format: On-Demand Webinar (“Asynchronous”) ~ At your leisure to be viewed at your own pace. You may pause, rewind, and fast forward at any point during the videos. You are in complete control of how you view this workshop. It also comes with a PowerPoint and references. There is a quiz at the end to ensure viewing and required by all CE approval organizations.
  • Investment: $87 (provides lifetime access!)
  • Presented by: Rachel Anne Kieran, Psy.D. (see bio below)
  • Date of Recording: February 11, 2026
  • Instruction Level: Intermediate
  • Target Audience: Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists

Educational Objectives:

After completing this workshop in its entirety, you will be able to:

  • Describe calls to action from APA (and other) guidelines relevant to practice with sexually marginalized populations
  • Identify ethical principles relevant to practice with sexually marginalized populations
  • Identify ethical standards relevant to practice with sexually marginalized populations
  • Discuss techniques for addressing consent concerns with sexually marginalized populations
  • Examine ideas for safety planning (and responding to duty to protect) with sexually marginalized populations
  • Identify techniques for indicating sex positive and affirming spaces for marginalized populations in physical locations and online modalities.
  • Identify strategies for reducing stigma on demographic forms, and how this is related to ethical responsibilities for autonomy and respect.

Workshop Description:

Competence with Sexual, Gender & Relational Minorities as an Ethical Obligation is a 3-hour intermediate workshop for mental health professionals ready to deepen their skills and ensure ethical, affirming practice with kink/CPE communities, asexual-spectrum clients, and people in consensually non-monogamous relationships. Drawing on APA and other professional ethical codes, as well as the latest research, this workshop clarifies why cultural and specialty competence in these areas is essential—not optional. Participants learn how to recognize and challenge bias, address consent and safety concerns, navigate dual relationships ethically, and create truly welcoming therapeutic spaces. Ideal for clinicians committed to reducing harm and meeting ethical standards for diverse clients.

Course Outline:

  • Introductions and creating shared working definitions – 15 minutes
  • AltSex 101: The State of the Science – 45 minutes
    • Understanding sexual and relational diversity – what the science suggests
    • Depathologizing and the DSM
    • Relevant recent developments – 2021 Guidelines
  • What’s Ethics Got to Do With It? – 60 mins
    • Digging into ethical principles and codes
    • What is “competence” in this area
    • Examples, working with assumptions
      • Dual relationships – how kink and rural psychology are the same!
      • When does “do no harm” mean bruises are okay?
      • How much is enough sex? – sexual “dysfunctions” vs. asexuality
  • Consent – it’s for everything! – 45 mins (addresses Ethics code as well as GA Statutes)
    • Informed consent in sex (and therapy)
    • Re-assessing consent and safety
    • Responding to breaches of consent/safety concerns
    • Creating affirming therapeutic spaces & relationships
  • Questions – 15 minutes

Presented by: Rachel Anne Kieran, Psy.D.

A graduate of Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida with Bachelors degrees in History and Psychology, I received my Masters and Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver. Prior to opening a private practice, I worked for Regis University in Denver and Georgia State University in Atlanta - providing clinical services for students in both positions.
In 2007 I opened a private practice, now known as StorieBrook Therapy & Consulting. The mission of this practice is to provide a range of services specializing in sexual, gender & relational diversity, recognizing that this is an expansive category, intersecting with all other identities and requiring deliberate opportunities for access, cultural humility on the part of providers, and bespoke collaboration with clients to meet their unique needs. Our practice values include access, anti-racism, body liberation, collaboration, cultural humility, public & professional education, inclusion & affirmation, social justice, and trauma informed care.
In addition to running this practice, I teach in the Department of Psychological Science at Kennesaw State University, and frequently provide continuing education workshops for other mental health professionals, particularly in the areas of sexual, gender and relational diversity, locally and nationally. I am also a leader, and Past-President, of the Georgia Psychological Association, and a current campaign chair of the APA Division 44 Committee on Consensual Non-Monogamy.

What people are saying about this workshop:

  • "Love Rachel and her way of presenting. She is an exceptional speaker." - TK, Psychologist
  • "Dr. Kieran was interesting, engaging, and informative. Excellent job." - JJP, Psychologist
  • “Rachel was fabulous. Well-informed on the topic and clearly shows a passion for the subject matter. Professional and concise.” – BY, LMFT
  • This training was very comprehensive and the most interesting ethics CEU I have ever completed. “So knowledgeable! Very friendly and made me excited for my job.” - MC, LPC
  • “Very knowledgeable and intentional about understanding who was "in the room" and connecting with attendees. Information was accessible and relevant. Excellent work! Thank you, Dr. Rachel Anne Kieran, for sharing your expertise in such an accessible way. Your humility and curiosity about the diversity of human experience are strengths!” – TLW, LPC
  • “Dr. Kieran was incredibly knowledgeable. She presented the information in a clear and conversational manner, which allowed me to remain engaged. Excellent class!” - KB
  • “Excellent presenter, really appreciated her sharing personal experiences and areas where she learned to help normalize the challenges we face as therapists.” - SF
  • “Normalized the topic. Very knowledgeable and forthcoming. Reduced shame factors.” – DS, LPCC
  • “Very engaging! I appreciated the use of humor and laid-back style.” – CB, LCSW
  • “Rachel is incredible, vulnerable, and knowledgeable! More from her please.” – MJ

3 "Asynchronous" CE Hours Included - Details by License Type Below:

  • PSYCHOLOGISTS: The Knowledge Tree, A Summit Professional Education Company is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Knowledge Tree, A Summit Professional Education Company maintains responsibility for this program and its content. For more detailed information on the current CE ruling in Georgia, or if you are licensed in another state or country, please click here.
  • COUNSELORS: The Knowledge Tree, A Summit Professional Education Company has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP), ACEP No. 7153. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Knowledge Tree, A Summit Professional Education Company is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Please click here for more detailed information.
  • SOCIAL WORKERS: This workshop is approved for 3 Core CE hours through the Georgia Society for Clinical Social Work (GSCSW), approval #042025. If you are licensed in another state or country, please click here for more detailed information.
  • MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPISTS: Many states will accept APA and/or NBCC-approved continuing education hours for Marriage & Family Therapists, but please check your specific state’s rules & regulations. For Georgia-specific information regarding MFT approval, please go to our CE Information page by clicking here and scrolling down to the map of Georgia.

Registration: To register for individual workshops, you may use our online payment option, or to pay by check you may print and complete the Registration Form and mail or fax it to our office. The registration form is available on our website: www.theknowledgetree.org. Registration is permitted until the time the workshop begins, unless otherwise specified.

Multiple Workshop Special: There is a 10% Discount with registration for two workshops. There is a 15% Discount with registrations for three or four workshops. There is a 20% Discount with registration for five or more workshops.

Refund/Cancellation Policy: If you can no longer attend a workshop you have registered for, you can either receive a credit for another workshop or receive a refund if you are within the refund policy period. Refunds will be given for cancellations received at least five days prior to the workshop. More information about refund/cancellation can be found here.

Attendance Policy: 100% attendance and completion of a course evaluation is required at any CE program in order to receive credit for that CE program. No partial credit is given. Certificates of completion will be available in each attendee’s account once the broadcast has ended and the course evaluation completed.

ADA Requests: We will make every effort to accommodate any reasonable ADA request. Please call or email us at least two weeks prior to the event. Payment and registration are required to fulfill an ADA request.

No Conflict Policy: Neither The Knowledge Tree nor its speakers have received any commercial support for this program or its contents and will not receive any commercial support prior to or during this program. 

System Requirements: Live Interactive Webinars are facilitated via Zoom. System requirements for the Zoom platform are linked at our FAQ page.

We are an approved vendor for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for easy reimbursement of educational expenses for VA employees.


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For information about our Continuing Education Workshops, please contact our Customer Service team at:

404.913.2005

theknowledgetree@summit.zendesk.com

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The Knowledge Tree, a Summit Professional Education Company, offers courses that provide continuing education hours as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and holds Approved Continuing Education Provider/Sponsor status with professional organizations including APA and NBCC. Each licensee should check our detailed CE information page and ensure courses taken meet their specific state board requirements.