In fulfilling the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) requirements at Antioch University’s New England Campus, Sara Cauley has written and published their dissertation titled Marginalized Sexual- And Gender-Identified Clients in University Counseling Centers: Best Psychotherapy Practices.
Cauley’s dissertation examines the mental health challenges faced by young adults in college, with a particular focus on students with marginalized sexual and gender identities (SGM). These individuals often experience unique and heightened mental health difficulties due to societal assumptions and expectations that conflict with their identities. The distress they face is frequently relational, stemming from living in a heteronormative, cisgender society that stigmatizes and oppresses SGM individuals.
Given the limited treatment approaches and stricter time constraints of University Counseling Centers (UCCs) compared to other clinical settings, Cauley’s dissertation explores how psychotherapy can be tailored to better meet the needs of SGM students in these contexts. It highlights relational-cultural therapy (RCT) as a potential approach, emphasizing its integration of relational and cultural factors to address the unique challenges of SGM students. The work also critically examines the application of various psychotherapy approaches in UCCs, regardless of theoretical orientation, to improve outcomes for SGM individuals experiencing distress.
The dissertation incorporates a review and analysis of existing research on SGM clients in UCCs, emphasizing the importance of social justice, diversity, intersectionality, and ethics in mental healthcare. The study recommends enhancing counseling services and informing the development of American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines, aiming to create more inclusive and effective mental health support for SGM students in higher education settings.
Cauley is a clinician and researcher specializing in LGBTQIA+ identities, sex-positivity, intimacy concerns, relationship challenges, self-worth, and body image. With a passion for working with LGBTQIA+ young adults, with a focus on helping clients navigate the challenges of living in a heteronormative, cisgender society. Their work emphasizes fostering self-worth and identity through a relational-cultural lens that honors each client’s unique experiences. Dedicated to social justice, Cauley actively engages in ongoing education about racial inequality and systemic racism by learning from BIPOC voices, addressing implicit bias, and participating in meaningful conversations about race and discrimination.
Read and download Cauley’s dissertation, Marginalized Sexual- And Gender-Identified Clients in University Counseling Centers: Best Psychotherapy Practices.
