Kalie JL Giovanni, LCSW

Hello there! Welcome to this small introduction to my practice and passions. I am a licensed clinical social worker who has been caring for children, teenagers, adults, families, and those in relationships for over 10 years. I specialize in affirming and caring for the LGBTQIA+ community, specifically transgender / gender expansive youth and adults and their families. My love of working with families comes from learning how each family is different - with their own cultures, norms, and experiences. I believe each family is an expert on their own dynamics and shared rituals, while my role is to build and strengthen bonds and communication. I partner with my clients to heal their individual or family conflict, improve communication, and address behavioral challenges. Together we address maladaptive coping mechanisms, patterns in behavior or thought processes. I have specialty training in trauma-informed care and parent support in addressing family dynamics and patterns. In addition to providing individual and family therapy, over the years I have worked with youth and families in therapeutic schools, residential treatment centers, psychiatric hospitals, youth detention centers, outpatient practices, and in-home community settings. I have presented locally and nationally about affirming care for LGBTQIA+ youth, trans and gender diverse youth, and the intersection of LGBTQIA+ youth and caregivers within the child welfare system. Outside of work, I am usually caring for my own growing family and brood of pets and when I have a moment to sit down, I enjoy a good science fiction novel or paging through recipe books of meals I will literally never make. Affiliations National Child Traumatic Stress Network, including Co-chair of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Expression Collaborative Group National Association of Social Workers Atlanta Coalition of LGBTQ+ Youth Certifications Cognitively Based Compassion Training Teacher Together Facing the Challenge (TFTC) Attachment, Regulation and Competency (ARC) Framework Webinars I have co-led Engaging Families in Affirming Trauma-Informed Care for LGBTQ Children and Youth LGBTQ youth who have family support have better outcomes through their youth and into adulthood. This is especially relevant for those who experience trauma and face ongoing safety concerns related to their identities. This webinar outlines techniques for engaging families in affirming treatment and care of their LGBTQ youth. Affirming Care for Transgender and Gender Expansive Youth This webinar provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges transgender and gender-expansive youth face. It covers basic definitions surrounding gender, gender identity, and gender expression and invites participants to examine their own perceptions of gender while exploring how providers can build an affirming practice for the youth and families that they serve. Selected Publications I have Co-Authored Gender-Affirming Care Is Trauma-Informed Care Identifying the Intersection of Trauma and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: Clinical Considerations & Screening Tool Fostering Family: A guide to working well with LGBTQ youth in Georgia’s Child Welfare System