Intersectionality has become an established theory in feminist and critical race studies over the last three decades. However, it remains a relative newcomer within queer studies and therapeutic arenas.

Much of the classic literature is thus from other disciplines, and the author has pulled together a range of reading to support the following aims for this module:

1. To gain a clear understanding of the theory of Intersectionality.
2. To have examined their own intersecting identities and considered how these influence their work with clients.
3. To feel able to communicate to others about intersectionality and the impact it has on their professional and personal lives.

This 15-hour CPD module offers you the opportunity to

• Define Intersectionality and explore the principles and theoretical perspectives that have informed academic thinking about the concept.
• Consider intersectionalities you may encounter in your work with GSRD clients and the therapeutic issues that may arise as a result, including the complexities of coming out, relational power and experiences of privilege and oppression.
• Examine your own intersecting identities and develop your ability to communicate about intersectionality and its implications in personal and professional contexts.

You can gain the CPD Certificate of Study issued by Pink Therapy by submitting and passing a tutor-marked assignment.

About the Author:

Kris Black (pronouns they, them, theirs) is an integrative arts psychotherapist, a qualified supervisor and a freelance Trainer. Kris currently works in private practice and within the LGBTQ+ community. Kris has worked for over 30 years within the BEM and LGBTQ+ communities as well as within the education, and charity sectors as an activist, educator and a therapist.

Kris has extensive experience of working with children and young people from different minority communities. Kris has been active politically for many years and much of their work focuses on raising awareness about discrimination, stigma and inequality and the effects of discrimination on minority groups.

More recently, Kris has qualified as a Black Issues Trainer, is a member of the Coalition Against Conversion Therapy, the Black and Asian Therapy Network, a Pink Therapy Clinical Associate and part of the Gendered Intelligence Therapists Network. They are also working with an intergenerational project addressing the historical invisibility and marginality of LGBTQIA+ people of colour within the UK and the diaspora (see profile here).