Sara M Williams, PhD, MSSW, CSW

Sara Williams (she/her) just graduated with a PhD from the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science, and is a certified social worker in the state of Kentucky, where she has been practicing clinically since 2016. Sara is an award-winning researcher in the areas of suicide prevention and gender and sexual diversity. Her dissertation research focuses on the intersection of gender and sexual diversity and lived experience of suicide. Her areas of interest have ranged from individual experiences of suicide to social factors contributing to elevated suicide prevalence among gender- and sexually- diverse persons. This work is based on the conviction that to alleviate the intense suffering that frequently leads individuals to consider and attempt suicide, we must address social factors that are contributing to suffering and preventing gender and sexually diverse folx from living the life they want to live.

In addition to research, Sara's work involves awareness and training efforts that enhance people's understanding of gender and sexual diversity and improves suicide risk assessment and management services. She provides suicide prevention trainings for community members through the Louisville Mayor's Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods and works closely with the State Suicide Prevention Coordinator on prevention efforts. Sara also serves on suicide prevention and diversity boards and committees with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the American Association of Suicidology, Trauma-Resilient Communities, and the University of Louisville. Sara has served as co-chair for the Active Minds group on campus — which promotes mental health awareness and well-being among college students— as well as helping to plan the UofL Out of the Darkness Campus Walk for suicide prevention for the past 6 years.

Sara believes that to address the issues in our society, we have to address social injustices and interactions at all levels, and as a loss survivor with lived experience of suicide, Sara is determined to spread knowledge and hope wherever possible. Her goal is to promote a world of inclusion, connection, and safety for everyone in all aspects of her work.

Gender and sexual diversity may be discussed more and more now, but that doesn’t mean everyone understands it in the same way. This workshop will orient participants to key terms, concepts, and language related to gender and sexual diversity. It will also provide information regarding prevalence of gender and sexual diversity across various populations, highlighting intersectionality, and discussing disparate outcomes for GSD individuals. This workshop will identify and discuss methods to increase inclusion and affirmation in social work practice with colleagues, students, and clients.

Content is appropriate for mental health professionals including, but not limited to, MFTs, Social Workers, and psychologists, and includes the professional application of theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, families, and beyond.

Registration for this workshop is for webinar access during the scheduled time. You will be able to log in and participate in workshop in real time.

CEU : Hours - 3

Registration: $45.00

**Additional $6.00 off for Kent staff, faculty, students, alumni, and practicum supervisors

Kentucky Board of Social Work

Kentucky Board of Licensure for Marriage and Family Therapists