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Antioch University Los Angeles’ LGBT specialization program hosts Trans Teachin 2008
A day of dialogue on TransAffirmative Psychotherapy

CULVER CITY, CA – May 1, 2008 – The LGBT Specialization within the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program is proud to announce a special Trans Teachin to be held on Sunday, July 20, 2008 at the Antioch University Los Angeles campus in Culver City.

“Despite the gains made by trans people in terms of visibility and empowerment over the last decade, trans people are still poorly underserved in the mental health community,” says Dr. Douglas Sadownick,, Antioch University Los Angeles professor and Director of the LGBT Specialization. “Transphobia and other forms of heterosexist bias still continue to prevent the delivery of therapeutic dignity and respect. Training and education are still needed to help therapists provide the best possible support to trans clients who are working towards becoming whole and embodied in the face of still-ongoing societal, millennial and psychological oppression.”

The day’s events include panel discussion on issues in biology, psychology, history, child development, psychopathology, spirituality and sexuality. Mock therapy sessions will be followed by a roundtable discussion. Donations of any amount ($5 to $100) are accepted and will go towards the Trans-Component of the Sandra Golvin Memorial Scholarship Fund, but no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.

The LGBT Specialization is the first graduate master’s program in the country aimed at teaching students how to work affirmatively with the LGBT mental health community and is now in its successful second year. With the help of a generous donation by the Ladd Family Foundation under the auspices of Antioch Alumnus and Trans Psychotherapist Jessie Jacobson, the specialization hopes make this an annual event. The goal is to help educate the community to the importance of trans affirmative psychotherapy and to provide information to transgender students who are considering a master’s in clinical psychology. New scholarships are available in the Fall for transgender students, and more information will be available at the event.

“Our goal is to reach out to those trans individuals who would like to become psychotherapists themselves, and who might be inclined to enroll in the LGBT Specialization, and make them aware of the scholarships that are available specifically for trans-affirmative individuals,” stated Jesse Jacobson. “The community needs trans folks empowered to help trans clients.”

Organizers of the event include LGBT Educational Founders and Trans Psychotherapists Daniel Gould and Jessie Jacobson as well as LGBT Advisory Board member Maddie Deutsch, M.D., with help from Antioch students Tatiana Lim and Tyler Daly.

“It is our belief that providers working with any client need to understand that all human beings are struggling with gender - whether they are consciously aware of this or not,” stated Mr. Gould.  “All of us have a responsibility to bring up gender oppression with our clients, as an essential part of the human struggle to become more authentic, liberated and psychologically healthy.”

The Trans Teachin will take place at on the campus of Antioch University Los Angeles, located at 400 Corporate Pointe in Culver City. The event will run from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. A light breakfast and buffet lunch will be served. Reservations are requested May 20th and all interested individuals, regardless of gender identification, are welcome.

“This event will help provide practical ‘trans affirmative’ techniques aimed to enhance the psychological well being of trans individuals as they embody the gender (and/or gender fluidity/queerness) that they feel to be their very own. It is invaluable to those within the psychotherapeutic field, and it enhances their effectiveness in their practice.” added Dr. Deutsch.

For more information on this event, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

For more information on the LGBT Specialization within the Master of Arts in Psychology program, please visit www.AntiochLA.edu/LGBT

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