PROUD | Seen, Safe, and Supported: LGBTQIA+ Affirming SUD Care – 6/23/26

The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) and the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) are hosting a multipart education series, PROUD: Strengthening Care for Parents in Recovery.  Parents Recovering from Opioid and Other Use Disorders (PROUD) is a SAMHSA-funded program of DMHAS.

Individuals in the LBGTQIA+ community experience disproportionately high rates of substance use disorders (SUD), and experience numerous barriers in accessing healthcare services. Using a culturally responsive, trauma-informed lens, this 90-minute webinar will explore the intersection of these identities and SUD to enable healthcare providers to better meet the unique needs of this population. Participants will learn practical strategies to create safer, more affirming healthcare environments to enhance patient trust, engagement, and improved healthcare outcomes across various settings.

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss the impact of stigma, minority stress, and implicit bias on mental health, substance use, and treatment engagement among LGBTQIA+ individuals
2. Identify key disparities and barriers to care specifically impacting LGBTQIA+ individuals with SUD
3. Implement at least 2 practical strategies to create safer, more affirming healthcare experiences that support culturally responsive healthcare for LGBTQIA+ individuals with SUD

Speaker Bio: Sarah Gilbert, (she/her) LCSW is a seasoned therapist and the founder of Transitions Therapy LLC located in CT. In both therapy and her trainings, Sarah creates spaces where people can learn and unlearn without shame. She blends clinical expertise with compassion, humor, and a healthy dose of irreverence. Known for making complex conversations human and engaging, Sarah equips clinicians and communities to move beyond “do no harm” toward truly affirming, empowering care.