Current Studies
Trans ACCESS Project
The Trans ACCESS Project (Advocacy, Connection, Community, Empowerment, and Social Support) began in August 2024 and will continue through 2029. Dr. Elliot Tebbe (in the School of Nursing at UW-Madison) and Dr. Stephanie Budge received an NIMHD R01 to use community-based participatory methods to investigate social support among trans and nonbinary communities. We are hoping to learn more about what social support means for various trans and nonbinary communities and how it can help promote health and well-being.
Healing through Ongoing Psychological Empowerment (Hope) Study
The Healing through Ongoing Psychological Empowerment (Hope) Study is an open clinical trial where Two Spirit, Trans, and Nonbinary therapists of color provided therapy to Two Spirit, Trans, and Nonbinary clients. We trained 9 therapists throughout the United States to provide therapy that used the Psychological Framework for Radical Healing (French et al., 2020; Adames et al., 2023) and internalized stigma techniques (e.g., Israel et al., 2021). Initial findings demonstrate feasibility and acceptability of the training and process of providing the therapy. We are continuing ongoing analysis of psychotherapy sessions, qualitative data regarding the effectiveness of the study, and quantitative data regarding community connectedness and coping.
*Louis Lindley, Joonwoo Lee, Marquel Norton, Stephanie Budge, and Jay Bettergarcia presenting data from the HOPE Intervention at the 2024 APA Convention
Former Studies
Trans Psychotherapy Study
We are conducting a randomized controlled trial of psychotherapy with 2sTNB clients to understand more about the experiences of 2sTNB individuals in psychotherapy. Results of this study will inform mental health care providers of best practices with 2sTNB clients.
Trans Youth and Family study
We interviewed 2sTNB youth and their caregivers to understand their familial experiences. We are analyzing the interviews for concordance (agreement) and discordance (disagreement) among family members. The findings will inform care for 2sTNB youth and their families. We are also analyzing the emotions experienced by the youth during their process of coming out to their families.
"We didn't stop."
Sylvia Rivera