Gender Identity Skills Training – Vanessa Lacey Transgender Equality Network Ireland

This will be a virtual event over two half days:

Date: 22nd/ 29th September

Time: 9.15 am till 11.45 am

Cost: FREE

Social Care Ireland is delighted to collaborate on this online workshop, with the Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI). The training focuses on the health and well-being of trans people and their families. This programme has been delivered extensively throughout Ireland to healthcare staff since 2013 and has had continuously received excellent feedback. One of the main aspects of feedback is the interactive nature of the training between participants and facilitator (Vanessa Lacey, TENI). The information provided during the training is a mixture of peer reviewed research based information, experiential work with young-people, families, adults and healthcare workers (nationally and internationally).
However, in line with public health guidelines the delivery of face to face training to healthcare providers has been stalled recently given the impact of COVID-19. Therefore, TENI/HSE have adapted the full day Transgender Awareness Training to 2 half-day’s to facilitate the learning process.

Aim: To enable participants develop their foundation knowledge, skills and comfort levels in relation to gender identity and expression.

Objectives: To enable participants:
• Explore their attitudes, values and comfort levels in relation to Transgender
• Develop an understanding of the different identities under the Trans umbrella
• Increase their knowledge of Trans issues in an International and Irish context
• Explore some of the experiences of transgender adults, adolescents, children and their families
• Develop knowledge in relation to transgender treatment options

Learning Outcomes: Participants will:
• Have increased awareness of their comfort level in relation to Transgender issues and how this might impact on their work.
• Have an increased understanding of the issues that affect Trans people and their families and an increased skill level in addressing some of the issues.
• Be aware of a number of options or pathways that Trans people and their families might follow to reduce anxiety, develop coping skills and function at a higher level in society.
• Understand the need for the development of a healthcare policy for Trans people and their families.

Course Agenda: Due to the complex nature of the area, the awareness online training will need to be delivered over 2 separate days, at 2.5 hours each day, to allow for reflective learning.
Day 1.
• Small group work (your experiences)
• Transgender Identities
• Exercise
• Trans experiences
• Healthcare Pathways

Day 2.
• Medical and psychological interventions
• Families Experience
• Case Studies
• Final Discussion

Facilitator: Dr. Vanessa Lacey has worked with TENI since 2010; currently she is the Health and Education Manager. In her role she designs and delivers transgender related training for health care professionals throughout Ireland. She was directly responsible for creating the family support group TransParenCI in 2011, which currently support over 280 families. Vanessa has a BA (hon) Psychology and has recently passed her PhD viva voce examination. Her research focused on grief and loss experienced in the context of gender transition by adult trans women and their families. Vanessa has worked on numerous occasions with media, and is a published author, both in media and academically. She is a member of various HSE and TUSLA committees on both national and regional level. Vanessa is also a member of the World Professional Association of Transgender Healthcare (WPATH) and it’s European version (EPATH). She is also a proud parent.