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School counselors need to advocate and act as an ally for all students. Safe Space, a training designed to facilitate competency for working with and serving LGBTQ youth (i.e., LGBTQ competency), has received increased attention in the field of school counseling. However, limited empirical support exists for training interventions such as Safe Space, with only one study to date examining its effectiveness for graduate psychology students (see Finkel, Storaasli, Bandele, & Schaefer, 2003). This study used a randomized pretest-posttest control group design to evaluate and examine the impact of Safe Space training on competency levels of a sample of school counselors/school counselor trainees and to explore the relationship between LGBTQ competency and awareness of sexism and heterosexism.

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This article reviews information related to school counseling and trainings aimed at increasing professional school counselors’ awareness, knowledge, and skill related to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) students. Educational concerns related to LGBTQ trainings affecting counselor training programs and counselor educators are discussed. Considerations for school counselor trainings are offered with regard to LGBTQ knowledge, awareness, and skill. Lastly, limitations regarding the extent of research on LGBTQ trainings for school counselor trainees are presented.

Play therapy is a growing area of interest and is a specific type of intervention that requires training and supervision to be implemented effectively. Play therapy continues to grow out of a need to provide effective, age appropriate, and multicultural interventions to children. In response to the heightened interest, universities are offering courses and supervision experience in play therapy. The goal of this program is to provide participants with specific ideas and materials for planning and implementing their own successful play therapy training intensive.

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School counselors are in a unique position to support LGBTQ-identified youth. However, the school setting may not provide a welcoming atmosphere for the level of support needed. How can school counselors overcome systemic challenges in order to best serve youth who are at increased risk of low academic performance, depression, selfharm, substance abuse, and suicide? This presentation will build upon skill competencies necessary for school counselors and open dialogue about how to work with challenges faced in the school system.

Counselors are legally and ethically beholden to provide affirming services to LGBTQQIA individuals. Recent laws place importance on counselor values over those of the client, impact safety of clients, and are in direct conflict with counseling ethical codes. This presentation will discuss recent laws, reactions, information, and resources