B4U-Act is a collaboration of mental health professionals and people attracted to children or adolescents (MAPs) to promote the availability of quality mental health care for MAPs who want it. One of our major activities is an annual workshop that brings together MAPs and mental health professionals (MHPs) to promote dialog and mutual understanding. Both MAPs and MHPs have reported these workshops to be tremendously informative, helpful, and inspiring. We are pleased to announce that our 11th workshop has been scheduled for April 18, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland, and is now open for registration. The cost of attendance is $90 for MHPs, $45 for students, and free for MAPs. See below for more details from the announcement webpage.

Attendance is limited to 30 MAPs and 30 MHPs and registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. So, if you would like to participate, we suggest you apply now.

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www.b4uact.org/?event=spring-2020-workshop&event_date=2020-04-18

Authenticity in the Face of Stigma: Challenges for Clinicians and Minor-Attracted People

Fulfilling lives, mental wellness, and effective therapy all require a certain degree of authenticity and honesty in close relationships and in therapeutic alliances. The stigma of minor-attracted people’s (MAPs’) sexuality can be a significant barrier to their authenticity with family members and friends. But therapists and researchers who work with MAPs also experience stigma that can impact their interactions with colleagues, search for funding, and dissemination of findings.

At this workshop, therapists, researchers, educators, students, MAPs, and their family members and friends will have the opportunity to explore ways to address the impact of this stigma on MAPs’ self-concepts, relationships among MAPs and their families and friends, the dynamics between therapists and MAPs, and challenges facing clinicians, researchers, and allies. Ideas presented and discussed will be appropriate for both those new to this emerging field and those familiar with it.

GOALS
At this workshop, participants will:

• Become aware of the numerous ways stigma impacts the lives, relationships, and careers of MAPs, clinicians, and researchers.
  
• Learn about ways to effectively manage stigma and its effects.

FORMAT
Presentations of research summaries and the experiences of MAPs and practitioners will be interspersed with small- and large-group discussions. Presentations and discussions will be co-led by MAPs, mental health professionals, and researchers.

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS
Social workers and psychologists who attend will receive 5.5 CEUs.

LOCATION & LODGING
The workshop will be held at a conference hotel approximately ten miles from downtown Baltimore, convenient to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. Lodging is available at the conference hotel and at several other nearby hotels. Location and lodging details will be sent to attendees upon acceptance of their registration.

MEALS
Continental breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided and included in the registration fee.

REGISTRATION
The registration deadline is Friday, April 3. Registration fees are as follows:

• Regular registration (clinicians, researchers, educators): $90
  
• Reduced registration (students, family members and friends of MAPs): $45
  
• Student groups (3 or more students from the same institution): $35
  
• MAPs: Free

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On the announcement webpage, go to the bottom of the page for the link to register and for an e-mail address to write to with any questions.

We look forward to your participation.

Roy Cooper
Volunteer
B4U-Act
A collaboration of mental health professionals and people attracted to children or adolescents (“MAPs”) to promote the availability of quality mental health care for MAPs who want it.