Wednesday, June 3, 2026
12:00PM - 1:00PM (EDT)
Delivery: Live Virtual Interactive
Continuing Education: 1 CE
Target Audience: Clinical Social Workers, Social Work Students in MSW/DSW Programs
Content Level: Beginner
Registration
$25.00 - Non ABCSW Members
Free for ABCSW Members!

REGISTER HERE!

Session Description:
Those who identify as members of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) communities have been victims of bias and prejudicial attitudes. Because LGBTQIA+ people embody all cultures, races, religious convictions, and socioeconomic statuses, this creates additional barriers for some community members who identify as both Black and LGBTQIA+. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore social workers’ perceptions of intersectional invisibility when working with Black LGBTQIA+ clients and the strategies that social workers identify as beneficial in averting discrimination and bias when working with this community. Implicit bias theory and intersectionality theory provided the framework for the study. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews with 11 master-level social workers.
Themes emerged from the coding analysis: (a) lack of complete understanding of the term intersectional invisibility, (b) lack of perceptional understanding of intersectional invisibility and how it affects the Black LGBTQIA+ community, (c) witnessing any form of bias or discrimination toward Black or LGBTQIA people while in practice, (d) negative impact on this community because of discrimination, and (e) strategies to prevent bias and discrimination for this community.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Identify and apply at least three evidence-informed strategies to mitigate bias and discrimination when working with Black and/or LGBTQIA+ clients.
2. Define the role of implicit bias and intersectionality in shaping social workers’ perceptions, decision-making, and client interactions.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of ethical obligations and culturally responsive practices that support equitable service delivery for marginalized populations.

Speaker Information

Dr. Tonya Griffith, DSW, LMSW
Dr. Tonya Griffith, DSW, LMSW, is a trauma-informed clinician who specializes in working with adolescents, adults, and couples affected by complex and chronic trauma. Her clinical approach centers on understanding how traumatic experiences—such as abuse or neglect, interpersonal violence, sexual assault, serious accidents, medical illness, and the loss of loved ones—can overwhelm an individual’s capacity to cope and significantly affect emotional, behavioral, and relational functioning. Dr. Griffith integrates evidence-based, trauma-informed principles into her work to help clients understand the impact of trauma on the mind.
Dr. Griffith specializes in trauma-focused therapy and provides compassionate counseling that respects the dignity and self-worth of every client. She helps individuals understand how trauma may be affecting their thoughts, emotions, and relationships, while supporting them in building healthier coping skills and greater emotional stability.

Continuing Education
The American Board of Clinical Social Work (ABCSW), #1854, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 8/23/2024 – 8/23/2027. Social workers participating in this virtual learning session will receive up to 1 continuing education credit.

Continuing Education Certificate Requirements
Registered event attendees must fully attend the chosen session to be eligible for Continuing Education Credits/Hours. Session evaluations include attendance attestation statements and must be completed within the same day as the attended session to be considered valid. To receive a Continuing Education Certificate, you must complete the attestation statement of the session attended which is located in the session evaluation survey. The link to complete the overall conference survey will be emailed to all attendees after closing remarks. Continuing Education Certificates will be electronically sent by the third Friday of the Speaker Series Session month, via the email provided in your evaluation.

System Requirements for Virtual Attendance
Operating Systems: Windows 11, 10 (S mode not supported), 8.1, or 7; macOS 10.14 or later; Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+, Mint 20+, CentOS 9+, Fedora 32+).
Processor (CPU): Single-core 1Ghz or higher minimum; Dual-core 2Ghz or higher recommended.
RAM: 4GB minimum, with 8GB or higher recommended for better performance.
Audio/Video: Built-in speakers/microphone or USB plug-in. A webcam or HD webcam is necessary for video calls.
Mobile Devices: iOS 13.0 or later; iPadOS 13.0 or later; Android 5.0 or later.
Browser Requirements: (Windows/macOS)Edge12+, Firefox 27+, Chrome 30+, or Safari 7+(macOS)
Internet/Bandwidth: Broadband wired or wireless (3G/4G/5G/Wi-Fi) is required.
Group video: 1.5 Mbps upload/download speeds
720p HD Video: 1.2 Mbps upload/download speeds
1080p HD Video: 3.0 Mbps upload/download speeds

Photography Notice
Please note that photographs and screen captures may be taken during the event.  By registering, you are giving your consent for these images to be used by ABCSW in digital and print publications.  Please contact [email protected] directly should you have any concerns.

Refunds, Grievances, & Accessibility
All refund requests must be submitted to [email protected] by the close of registration, which for this event is Wednesday, June 3, 2026 to be eligible for a full refund (less $5.00 admin fee)
All grievances can be sent to [email protected] at anytime.
All accessibility accommodation requests can be sent to [email protected] prior to the event.