Culturally Responsible Training tailored to meet each groups needs/interests.
Dear Karla,
I had to run back to school to present this afternoon but wanted to thank you for your informative, energetic, and honest presentation. This is an important topic and your point that “making kids feel invisible” is causing trauma. Thank you for your positive, hilarious and inspiring message. I applaud you and your work. ~A Teacher in Delaware
Interested in scheduling a training with Transitions Delaware LLC? Send an email to [email protected] to reach out and learn more!
I am very grateful to Rev Karla for this deep, authentic, and super knowledgeable training. In addition, to my own understanding and experience, I now understand the related theories and how to use them in practice. Finally, I am grateful for the use of personal and in depth stories that allowed us a glimpse into the life and struggles of our trans and LGBTQ+ youth. ~ A Therapist in Delaware attending the Rockford Training May, 2022
Trainings/Programming in 2025
Supporting LGBTQ Youth’s Emerging Identities within Foster Care & Religion and LGBTQ Youth. Two-part training for Children & Families First Foster Parents/Post-Adoption Network. May, 2025
Getting Back In My Body & My Community: Healing with Trauma & The Dissociative Experiences in the LGBTQ+ Community – Trauma Matters Delaware (VIRTUAL), May 21st, 2025
Getting Back In My Body & My Community: Healing with Trauma & The Dissociative Experiences. The 2025 Contemporary Relationships Conference hosted by The Center For Contemporary Relationships: Strengthening Relationships in the LGBTQ+ Community Since 2024, Monmouth University, West Long Beach, New Jersey – May 17-18 2025.
Balance Personal/Professional Ethics: Best Practices Serving LGBTQ+ Residents for Direct Services Staff of DSCYF’s Silverlake/Terry Center Programs – May 7th, 2025
Getting Back In My Body & My Community: Healing with Trauma & The Dissociative Experiences in the LGBTQ+ Community – Goldey-Beacom College, April 28th, 2025
Calling All Saviors: Follow The Moon. 2025 Redefine Therapy Retreat hosted by Institute for Creative Mindfulness, Villa Maria, PA – April 25 – 27, 2025
Trees, Trans, & Trails: Cultivating Community through Nature hosted by Delaware DNREC Div of Parks and Recreation, Sussex County, DE – April 23, 2025
Balancing Personal/Professional Ethics: “Best Practices” Serving LGBTQ Students for a Local School District’s Counselors, Psychologists, and Social Workers March 2025
Identifying Spiritual Abuse and Religious Trauma – Panel Discussion. Healing Together Conference hosted by An Infinite Mind. Healing Together is a one of a kind conference that brings together people living with dissociation and DID, their loved ones, and mental health professions. Orlando, Florida – February 14-16 2025. Register for the Conference (online/in person).
Trans/Gender Expansive & Trauma. A Training for The Community Collaborative of Delaware. January, 2025
Trainings/Programming in 2024
DSCYF’s DEI Amplifying Voices Series: Session II. Transgender Youth, Panel Discussion, December 11th, 2024, Department of Services for Children, Youth, & Their Families
Best Practices: Trauma Responsible Resources for Transgender/Neurodivergent Persons – Crisis Intervention Team Law Enforcement Training – December 2024, NAMI DE
This class was much better than I expected. This class really opened my eyes.
from participants in the Advanced CIT Training, December 2024
Both presenters were very knowledgeable and offered some very good information I can use in my tool kit when dealing with the LGBTQ+ communities and autistic individuals ”
Getting Back In My Body & Community: Healing with Trauma & The Dissociative Experiences Which Helped Me Survive and Coming Out Inside My Head (The Only Safe Space I Have): Trauma and the Intersection of Being Transgender While Under the Age of 12 With Little to No Supports – 2024 TransPRide YOUniting Health & Wellness Conference, November 7-9, 2024 hosted by TranssPride PGH. This is a virtual conference. Link to sign up is here.
Calling All Saviors: Follow The Moon at Shanti Unplugged ’24 Yoga Retreat through Yoga Wellness Center hosted by Villa Marie Education & Spirituality Center, October 2024
2024 MHA’s Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference – Guest Panelist – October 2024, Mental Health Association of Delaware
Best Practices for Serving Transgender/Gender Expansive Clients (HUD: Equal Access) – August 2024, Friendship House Staff & Board
Coming Out Inside My Head – June 2024, Presssly Ridge Staff Retreat
Best Practices 101 – May 2024, Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Judges’ Retreat
Transgender 101/Trans, Trees, & Trails – May 2024, Brandywine Zoo Staff Training
Addiction as Dissociation State Opioid Response and Recovery Conference hosted by DSAMH – May 2024
Best Practices for Serving Transgender/Gender Expansive Clients (special focus on persons who have experience with criminal justice system as either victim or offender) – May 2024, Delaware Center for Justice
Best Practices for Serving Transgender/Gender Expansive Clients (special focus on persons who have experience with foster care system and/or houselessness) – May 2024, West End Neighborhood / Lifelines
Trauma & Dissociation: An Embodied Approach to Healing – March 2024, Neuman University
Trainings/Programming in 2023
Cultivating a Nurturing Environment for Elementary Age Students Exploring Gender – January 2023. Wilmington Friends Lower School Faculty
Supporting LGBTQ Youth’s Emerging Identities within Foster Care – Feb, Mar, April 2023. A training series for Staff and Foster Parents. Pressley Ridge
Cultivating Rainbows: Creating Safer Space for LGBTQ+ Students Amongst Their Peers in a School-Based Setting – March 2023: Wilmington Friends School – Middle School
Delaware Recreation and Parks Society’s “Out is In” 41st Annual Conference: March 2023! Providing Two Sessions: [1] Transgender 101; and [2] Trees, Trans, and Trails: Rehoboth, DE
Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ+ Delaware Residents & State Employees: April, 2023 – Delaware Department of Health & Social Services Leadership Team
An Evaluation Comment from a DHSS Leadership Team:
This is my second time attending a presentation by this team. I managed to learn even more this time. Love the presentation style, highly interactive!
Best Practices for Serving Transgender/Gender Expansive Clients: Delaware HIV Consortium – May 2023
Best Practices for Serving Transgender/Gender Expansive Patrons, Staff, & Volunteers: New Castle County Libraries, hosted by Appoquinimink and Brandywine sites – May, 2023 and June 2024
Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ+ Members and Cultivating “Queerly” Safer Camper Experiences: Three Trainings hosted by Brandywine YMCA – June, 2023
Best Practices in Serving LGBTQ+ Individuals/Families Through Equal Access: Housing Alliance of Delaware – June, 2023
Best Practices for Serving Transgender/Gender Expansive Clients & Staff: Potter, Anderson & Corroon LLP, June, 2023
DSAMH Fall 2023 Mental Health Conference: A Better Tomorrow: “Breaking the Stigma”. Morning Session: Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ+ Delaware Residents. Afternoon Session: Queering Across the Life Span, September 2023
Supporting LGBTQ+ Community Members: The Choir School of Delaware, October 2023
From Phone Call to Warm Hand-Off: Equal Access in Action: Housing Alliance of Delaware, November 2023
Trainings in 2021 -22
Wilmington Friends School: Lower School Professional Consultation – December 2022
LGBTQ+ Literacy – October 2022: Hodgson Vo-Tech Faculty/Staff Professional Development
Cultivating Rainbows: Creating Safer Space for LGBTQ+ Students Amongst Their Peers in a School-Based Setting – October 2022: Tatnall School Middle School
Two Part Training: Transgender 101: Ethical Insight for Increased Understanding & Support of Transgender/Gender Expansive Clients and Creating Culturally Responsible Clinical Services with LGBTQ+ Clients: A Trauma-Informed, Ethical Approach to Service Delivery for DSAMH State Opioid Response & Recovery (SOR) Conference – September 19-21, 2022 at Wilmington Riverfront, The Chase Center
The Ethical Practice of Creating Culturally Responsible Space for LGBTQ+ Students in School-based Settings – August 2022: Tatnall School, Professional Development Training
Creating Safer Shelter Space for LGBTQ+ Community: Seeking to Exceed the Minimum Standards for Culturally Responsible Service Delivery to LGBTQ+ Individuals and their Families – 4-Part Series June/July 2022 – Housing Alliance Delaware in Collaboration with PFLAG Wilmington
Creating a Rainbow School: Four Pillars of System Change – June 2022: Wilmington Friends School, Professional Development Training
Coming Out in Today’s Climate – Supporting LGBTQ Youth’s Emerging Identities – June 2022: Dupont, Procurement Pride Ally Group
Transgender 101: Ethical Insight for Increased Understanding & Support of Transgender/Gender Expansive Clients and “I Hate Being Trans!” Addressing the Mental Health Crisis of our Transgender/Gender Expansive Youth with Ethical Integrity. – May 2022 This Two-Part Virtual Training is hosted by The Rockford Center
Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth’s Emerging Identities – May 2022: Wilmington Friends Home & School Parent Presentation
Delaware Department of Transportation – April 2022: Understanding & Implementing the Gender identity Policy and Procedure of the State of Delaware.
Sanford School – February 2022 – Professional Development for Faculty/Staff focused on “Rainbow Schools: Creating Affirming Community for LGBTQ+ Students”
Some Comments from Participants:
Karla is a fantastic presenter and made the terms and subjects very easy to understand. This was long overdue to have as a topic at our school.
I think today helped me to realize that “coming out” is not the end of the story. Students have so much on their plates and this realm can cause them lingering anxiety and stress responses even after the “hard part” (coming out) has been done.
I loved that Karla said that making schools safer for students in LGBT+ community makes schools better for all students.
The resources!! Karla was the catalyst for spurring great discussion amongst all faculty. Now, it’s our turn to do better work in supporting our LGBTQ youth and families – especially students who are struggling in talking to their families about coming out.
Housing Alliance Delaware – November 2021 EQUAL ACCESS RULE: A HUD Mandate for the Housing Alliance of Delaware – Meeting the Minimum Standards for Culturally Responsible Service Delivery to LGBTQ+ Individuals and their Families.
The Restorative Hope, LLC Free Virtual Summer Workshop Series – June 2021 Culturally Responsive Safe Spaces for Members of The LGBTQ Community: Middle School to College
Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCADV) – June 2021 Ethical Practice of Reducing Microaggressions Toward LGBTQ+ Students in School-based Mental Health Settings
Tower Hill New Faculty Training & SEED Session – April 2021: Affirming Practices for Supporting LGBTQ+ Students in a School Setting
Rockford Center Lecture Series 2021 – March 2021: Microaggressions & LGBTQ+
Las Americas Aspira Academy – February 2021 – Equity Conference, “Supporting LGBTQ Students & Staff” Workshop
Trainings in Prior Years…
Tower Hill School – November 2020 – Health Class Guest Speaker with Youth discussing Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, & Gender Expression Spectrum!
Henrietta Johnson Medical Center – November 6th 2020 – Affirming Queer Counseling – Creating Safer, Affirming Healing Community for LGBTQ Clients
West End Neighborhood House – October 30th 2020 – Rainbow Life Lines – Creating Safer, Affirming Community for LGBTQ Young Adults
Choir School of Delaware – October 17th 2020 – Decreasing a Thousand Cuts: Creating Affirming Community for LGBTQ Young Adults
United Way of Delaware: OUTFEST – October 10th 2020 – Moderator & Member of the Panel on “Coming Out!” during LGBTQ History Month. To learn more, click HERE!
NAMI Delaware Virtual Conference – October 5th 2020 – The Tip of the Iceberg: Microaggressions Toward LGBTQ Clients in Mental Health
Mental Health Association in Delaware – August 2020 – Training with Peer Counselors on Affirming Pronouns during a ZOOM “Lunch & Learn”
Tower Hill School – February & March 2020 – Trainings with Faculty & Guest Speaker with Students: [1] All Teacher Faculty Presentation on Safer, More Supportive Schools for LGBTQ youth; [2] SEED Program Guest Speaker; and [3] Health Class Guest Speaker with Youth discussing Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, & Gender Expression Spectrum!
Sussex Summit – March 2020 – Sussex County GSA Gathering sponsored by Camp Rehoboth. Over 40 youth and 20 adults. Provided morning session to youth entitled “Positive Presence” and afternoon session to adults entitled “Creating Safer, More Supportive Schools for LGBTQ Youth”
Charter School of Wilmington – November 2019 – LGBTQ+ Youth: Being An Ally! Creating Safer Schools!!
Tower Hill School – October 2019 – Guest Speaker to Several Student Classes. Topic: Affirming LGBTQ
People’s Place Annual All Staff Conference – October 2019 – Keynote Speaker & Presenter. Title of Program: “Offering Dignity through Safer Clinical Services to Transgender & Gender Non-Conforming Clients”
* I thought that Karla was respectful of others and how people think differently while also challenging people to confront their own beliefs, priviledge, and actions toward LBGTQ & Folx. ~ Employee of People’s Place
Inspiring Hope Conference – October 2019 – LGBT+ and Mental Health Challenges Panel. Panelists: Sarah McBride, Wesley Ingram, Dionne Cornish, Karla Fleshman, LCSW, MDiv. Through sharing personal stories, and group discussions on topics such as suppression of identity, social media in today’s environment, lack of representation for LGBT+ individuals and how it all can affect one’s mental health, this presentation will not only talk about the barriers to mental health treatment, but practical strategies for allies and LGBT+ individuals.
Beyond Gender Binary – September 2019 – Half-Day Training to Members of the Delaware Division of Human Relations
“I absolutely loved the video of Johnnie and their story, but I think the discussion of microaggressions and how to respond to them will be most helpful to me” ~ Member of DE Division of Human Relations
Communicating Our Pride June 2019 – Guest speaker for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Health Program of Wilmington VAMC LBT Program: “VA takes PRIDE in serving LGBT Veterans” on June 26, 2019
Building Bridges Conference May 2019 – Beyond a Binary Child: Affirming Youth Across the Spectrum of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression at Home and in School
February 2019. Creating Community: Beyond Gender Binary – Thank you “The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware” for inviting in Transitions Delaware to lead a retreat on Creating Community Beyond Gender Binary. You have a wonderful team of folx! I am excited to attend your next show! How appropriately entitled This is Me!
Brandywine School District Principal Monthly Meeting: Administration Opportunities for Creating Safer Space
November 2018
7th Annual Anti-Bully/GSA Pride Youth Summit! – Be You Unapologetically: Radical Self Love
November 2018
Delaware Division of Libraries, New Castle County: Creating Safer Supportive Libraries for LGBTQ+
September 2018
Brandywine School District, Middle/Upper School Faculty/Staff: Creating Safer Supportive Schools for LGBTQ+
September 2018
Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference: Safer, Supportive Schools for T/NB Students
Thursday, August 2 to Saturday, August 4, 2018.
Creating Safer, Supportive Schools for LGBTQ+ Youth.
Tuesday, May 8th | 6:30 – 8:00 PM at Newark High School | 750 E Delaware Ave, Newark, DE 19711
Goldey Beacom College: Affirming LGBTQ Students Training
January 2018
Sample of Workshops/Trainings from Past years
Safer, Supportive Schools for LGBTQ+ Youth at Annual Meeting of the Barbara Gittings Delaware Stonewall Democrats January 2018, Rehoboth, DE
Free2Be: Creating Safe Space for Transgender, Intersex, & Gender Non-Conforming Youth at Philadelphia Transgender Wellness Conference September 2017, Philadelphia, PA
Beyond ABC: A Binary Child at area School District, 2017 Wilmington, DE
The Do’s & Don’ts of Coming Out various locations 2017-2018
“Would Jesus Discriminate” Equality Forum, Philadelphia, USA (May, 2010)
Transgender Stories in Scripture during the Seventh Annual Trans Awareness Week sponsored by the LGBT co-op, the Office of LGBTQ Resources, the Chaplain’s Office, and the Yale Divinity School at Yale University, November 2009, New Haven, CT
Transcending Religious Transgressions: Finding G-D’s Love at Philadelphia Transgender Wellness Conference, May 2009, Philadelphia, PA
Organizer & Presenter to the Third Annual “One Day Church Planting Institute” July 2007, General Conference, Arizona, USA
“Religion & Transgender” Conference, May 2007, hosted by Imago Dei MCC, PA
“Spirituality and Sexuality within the LGBT Community”, April 2006, Widener University School of Social Work Graduate Program
“Non-violence Training for Pride Events”, September 2005, Chester County Pride