Affirming Cultural Competencies: Care Beyond the Binary in an Ever-Changing Landscape

Workshop Title:  Affirming Cultural Competencies:  Care Beyond the Binary in an Ever-Changing Landscape  

This workshop is designed to strengthen clinicians’ skills in providing inclusive, gender-affirming care. Participants will explore sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI), transgender and gender-nonbinary (TGNB) identity development, and examine personal and systemic biases. The training also covers practical application of current clinical guidelines, including assessment, diagnosis, and writing affirming letters of support. The workshop concludes with resources, discussion, and a brief assessment to support continued professional growth.

Date: June 5, 2026

Time: 9am - 12:30pm

CEU's - 3

Presenter: Cameron Mazzeo, LCSW, is a dually-licensed clinical social worker in New Jersey and Massachusetts specializing in LGBTQ+ affirming care. He serves as the CEO and Lead Therapist of CAARE Counseling and Consultation, where he manages a comprehensive clinical practice while providing professional oversight as a clinical supervisor. With over a decade of experience as an out and proud advocate and educator, Cameron frequently leads professional workshops for helping professionals on LGBTQ+ disparities and health equity.  His therapeutic work integrates a relational, person-centered approach while using innovative modalities, such as therapeutic D&D, to address the complex needs of his clients, including those in the LGBTQ+, kink, and ethically non-monogamous communities. Whether in the therapy room or a lecture hall, Cameron is passionate about creating environments that foster safety, authenticity, and long-term well-being.

Workshop Details:

The program is structured into five modules covering foundational knowledge, identity development, and advanced clinical skills: 

● Module 1: Introduction and Bias Mitigation: Analyzing personal and institutional biases, including self-evaluation techniques for clinicians. 

● Module 2: SOGI Foundational Knowledge: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) through multi-disciplinary lenses (historical, cultural, biological, and sociological), and integrates Queer Theory and Shared Language. 

● Module 3: TGNB Foundational Knowledge: Transgender and Gender-Nonbinary (TGNB) Identity Formation, including the developmental stages related to Gender Identity Emergence. It also provides an overview of transition types (Social, Legal, Medical) and covers TGNB collective strengths and disparities. 

● Module 4: Integrated Conceptual and Procedural Knowledge: Implementing WPATH Standards of Care 8 (SOC8) and UCSF Guidelines. Clinical tasks include applying DSM-5 Gender Dysphoria diagnostic criteria, drafting gender-affirming letters of support, and therapeutic techniques. 

● Module 5: Explicit Knowledge:Therapeutic and Supportive Resources.

Cancellation/No Show Policy: Please be aware that refunds and exchanges are not available. However, we do offer the option to apply 50% of the event cost as credit toward a future NJAMFT training. To qualify for this credit, you must inform the NJAMFT Treasurer at njamfttreasurer@gmail.com before the event's commencement if you need to cancel or will not be attending. No credit will be provided after the event has taken place.