The OutCare Mentorship Program

Richard Brandon-Friedman is a Doctoral Candidate and Associate Faculty member at the Indiana University School of Social Work. He has been a clinical social worker for over 12 years, six of them post-Masters level. His clinical work has focused primarily on male adolescents, both in home and in the child welfare system, but he has also worked with children as young as 3 years old and with adults. In his work, Richard incorporates trauma-informed therapy, familial and system integration, psycho-education, and behavioral/emotional self-management skills. He currently serve as the Social Work Supervisor for the Gender Health Program at Riley at IU Health, as the Chair of National Association of Social Worker's Indiana Chapter's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee, and as an Executive Board Member of GenderNexus, a community organization that serves gender diverse individuals. Over the past several years Richard has conducted numerous trainings on professional work with sexual and gender minorities, ranging from one hour to six hours in length. His current research focuses on the sexual development of youth in the foster care system and overall adolescent sexual identity formation. He has also recently published empirical and theoretical work on sexual health, sexual identities, and sexual behaviors.

Lisa A. Breisch, L.C.P.C., Psy.D. is the Director of Harmony Center for Holistic Psychotherapy and the Spectrum of Rockford LGBT Counseling Program. Dr. Breisch graduated from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in 2001 with a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology. She has been a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor since 1998. Dr. Breisch has been practicing in the Rockford, IL area since 1999.

WPATH recognized provider who has an open understanding in working with people who are transgender, gender non-binary, and/or gender-questioning, as well as their families. Rogerian approach to therapy, implements person-centered techniques. Experience with major medical issues, vocational counseling, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Member of WPATH.

M. Brett Cooper is currently a 3rd year adolescent medicine clinical fellow and board-certified pediatrician. He has experience mentoring students from his high school, as well as medical students interested in a career in pediatrics through the AAP. His clinical and research interests are in LGBT Health, as well as the use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in adolescents and young adults.

For over 26 years I have accompanied persons ages 8-70+ in exploring their gender identity, gender expression, and sexuality. I have specialized training in gender health, and I am completing the international gender health specialty certification through WPATH. I collaborate with primary care, endocrinology, and surgical teams across the U.S., including the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. I am also engaged in education and transformation with healthcare systems – e.g., providing education for healthcare administrators, providing gender-neutral intake and EMR options, exploring the ethics and practice of hospitality with all persons.

In addition, after earning a PhD in clinical psychology, I completed a post-doctoral residency with an emphasis on assessment and treatment of Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD, and related conditions. I also have over a decade of cross-cultural training, research, and work in the field of trauma recovery. 

I own a private practice in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where I am a Licensed Professional Counselor – Mental Health.

AJ Eckert, DO, is a Board-Certified Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) and Family Practice (FP) Physician. She is also a Diplomate of the Academy of Integrative and Holistic Medicine. Dr. Eckert graduated with Dean’s List Honors from Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, and from Maine Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency. She provides a comprehensive and unique approach to the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of common conditions.

Dr. Eckert’s practice involves hands-on manual therapy, carefully listening to you, the patient, and engaging with your body’s ability to heal. Often, there are chronic areas of injury that your body has been holding onto for years, causing other symptoms throughout your body. Dr. Eckert works with you to release those injuries, thus unwinding not only physical, but also spiritual, and emotional blockage.

Dr. Eckert has worked with luminary osteopathic physicians, such as the late Dr. Viola Frymann. She was taught at medical school by Drs. Susan Cislo and Thomas McCombs. Her mentor, Dr. Kate McCaffrey, is well-respected in the field. Dr. Eckert continues to hone her skills by attending regular workshops and networking with local and national osteopathic healers.

Dr. Eckert is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ rights, and has introduced trans hormone therapy programs and safe space programs to both rural and urban communities. Dr. Eckert grew up in the Czech Republic, where herbal remedies and prescriptions are found on the same pharmacy shelf; she brings this coexistence of complementary and prescription medicines to her own practice.

Dr. Eckert sees all ages, from infants to the elderly, at her practice. She believes that there is no single formula or equation in health care. Her goal is her patients’ full expression of health. When she is not doing OMM, you will find Dr. Eckert playing piano, attending horror conventions, or at local craft and arts fairs.

I am an attending family physician and director of Transform Health, our LGBTQ* initiative at the University of Kentucky. We see patients for full scope primary care as well as hormone therapy and PrEP and have many educational, research and outreach projects. I am a graduate of UK, did residency at Lawrence Family Medicine Residency in MA, and did a fellowship in Primary Care Policy and faculty development in Washington DC.

I have been serving LGBTQ* patients for over 5 years and at higher volume through Transform Health since July 2016. I have had a 2 year research fellowship in which I conducted interviews and surveys with Appalachian LGBTQ residents and continue to be a Co-I on on many research projects. My passion is education in this area and I lead a residency track in LGBTQ care and do many presentations all over campus.

Currently serving in a solo, primary care private practice. Previously head of counseling and medial services for a liberal arts college. Formerly a volunteer at Magnet, San Francisco. I work in an gay/bi/questioning-friendly office, but most our patients identify as straight. Bachelor of Arts, Brandeis University; Master of Public Health in Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Medicine; Master of Science, The Ohio State University; Doctorate of Nursing Practice, Duke University.

I am a geriatrician and Hospice medical director, passionate about providing culturally competent care to diverse population including religious minorities, ethnic minorities and LGBTQ adults particularly at end of life.

Hi! I'm Dr. Grant, an Indiana native with over 14 years in the mental health field. I'm an Indianapolis-based clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, consultant, public speaker, blogger, and mentor providing psychological + consultation services to adults, couples, and groups, particularly gay men and their allies.

I specialize in the treatment of adults and couples who struggle with mood disorders (e.g., depression, dysthymic, and bipolar disorders), anxiety disorders (e.g., GAD, OCD, phobias, and social anxiety), mild trauma (i.e. small 't' traumas), grief and loss, substance-related disorders driven by underlying intrapsychic issues, couples-related issues including sexual addiction, and dysphoria related to sexuality and gender identity. A focus of my practice is geared towards working with those identified as part of the LGBT+ community and their allies.

As a small business owner, I know first-hand the vicissitudes of this endeavor, and thus, enjoy working with other small business owners, entrepreneurs, and artists in the community.

Given my health psychology background, I have a passion for health and wellness and enjoy working with medically-involved populations, especially since we are unable to ignore the connection and impact the mind and body have on one another. 

My Clinical Psychology degree is from Antioch University with Training and Intership at both The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center and the San Diego LGBT Center. For two years I was a Staff Therapist at San Diego’s LGBT Center’s Behavioral Health Services Department. I served on San Diego County’s HIV Prevention Board and was a Group Therapy leader for Gay Men’s Dating and Sexual Health group and “The Second Half of the Journey” (for gay men 40 and older). Presently, I am Private Practice therapist with about 60% Gay and Lesbian clientele (individual and couples). More bio info is available on my website: SDtherapist.com

I am a board certified surgical physician assistant with experiences in Neurology, Neurocritical Care, and Neurosurgery. In addition, I am a PhD in Clinical Design Bio-engineering (BME) with expertise in medical device design, neuro-prosthestics, neuro-engineering, auditory neurosciences, and neuropharmacology. From my background in medicine, engineering, and research, I seek to translate bench science into products, best practices, and innovation that profoundly improve clinical diagnostics, treatments, and clinical outcomes.

Nolan is the owner of Mount Scott Counseling in Lawton, Oklahoma, and has over ten year of experience working in mental health. He earned his Masters of Science from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and completed postgraduate studies at Cameron University. Nolan uses Choice Theory in his practice, and trained with Dr. and Mrs. William Glasser prior to his passing.

Nolan has over ten years of experience in working with diverse populations, including multiple gender identities, sexual orientations, and relationship dynamics. He has presented locally, nationally, and internationally regarding counseling with diverse populations, professional allyship, and other related topics.

Liz Leen, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the Director of Clinic Operations at Alder Health Services. She believe in proving a client-centered and affirming space for individuals, couples and/or families to explore their lives. She utilizes clinical tested and evidence-based interventions. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Pennsylvania with a Master’s degree in Social Work from Shippensburg University. Her background and training is grounded in social work ethics and values with experience working with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorders, gender, sexuality and HIV/AIDS. She is passionate about the community and addressing the mind, body and soul of an individual.

I am a physician scientist, who is currently an Assistant Professor in rheumatology, with an interest in human translational research in immunology, as applied to rheumatic disease patients. My specific focuses are on patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis as well as the idiopathic inflammatory myositis group of disorders. I am also interested in exploring the representation of LGBT populations in the rheumatic diseases.

My main research focus is the role of inflammation and the study of its’ organization, cellular make-up, and presence of cognate versus non-cognate immune interactions by means of computerized, objective, and high-throughput techniques based on image analysis of multichannel immunofluorescently-labeled images of human tissue, acquired with confocal laser scanning microscopy. Together with our collaborators, we have developed cutting edge approaches to the segmentation and analysis of in vivo cellular interactions based on Convolutional Neural Networks and Deep Learning-based approaches.

My other interest is in using large epidemiological data sets to study and compare the representation of LGBT populations in the rheumatic diseases, which is a topic with little current understanding.

In order to help tackle the above projects, I recently completed a Master's Degree in Medical Bioinformatics with specific focuses on Image Analysis and Big Data Analytics.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Huntsville, AL. I maintain a generalist practice, but am particularly passionate about my sub-speciality in working with LGBTQ+ individuals. I work to support LGBTQ individuals in their desire to live freely and authentically, by providing a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore aspects of their identities and relationships. I provide services to diverse individuals from adolescence through late adulthood, including LGBTQ affirmative care (individual/couples therapy), HRT/SRS evaluations and recommendation letters, and psychological assessment.

Clint is a doctoral student at Eastern Kentucky University. He is a Licensed Psychological Associate and is currently conducting research on state personality traits of transgender individuals before and after transitioning. At EKU, he serves as the LGBT+ Initiatives graduate assistant for Student Life where he implements LGBT+ programming and works with administration to improve the campus community for LGBT+ students.

Clint is originally from Louisville, Kentucky. He began formally transitioning in 2012 and has spent most of his life in the LGBT+ community.

John Penezic is a fourth-year doctoral student at Spalding University’s School of Professional Psychology. He received a MA in Clinical Psychology at Spalding University and LGBT Health Competency training at the University of Louisville. Among his clinical interests, John specializes in work with the LGBTQ population. He provides free and low-cost training to non-profit organizations to promote inclusive practices. Additionally, he authored two educational brochures for the Kentucky Psychology Foundation’s award-winning Head’s Up public education campaign: The ABC’s of LGBTQ and Allyship: Healthier Environments for All. In his free time, John enjoys meditative practices, cooking, and spending time with friends at coffee shops.

Dr. Dustin Reid is the founder of Restora Austin Plastic Surgery Centre in Austin, TX. He is a native of Clovis, NM. He graduated Magna Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Tech University, where he was honored as the Outstanding Biological Science Student for his graduating class. He received his medical degree from Texas Tech University School of Medicine, where he graduated #1 in his medical school class. He was also selected as Best Surgical Student and Outstanding Overall Medical Student by the faculty. Dr. Reid went on to train in a vigorous 5 year general/trauma surgical residency at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. He served as Chief Resident and received awards from his peers for Outstanding Teaching from a House Officer and was a featured trauma surgeon on The Learning Channel’s, Trauma, Life in the ER. Despite his affinity for general surgery, Dr. Reid knew his true calling was in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery. He subsequently trained in plastic surgery at the prestigious Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, GA, completing a 3-year residency. This cutting-edge program is world-recognized for excellence in plastic surgery and focuses on breast and aesthetic surgery. Again, he served as Chief Resident in his final year. He has met vigorous training and testing criteria and is double board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. Dr. Reid is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and belongs to numerous regional and national societies.

Dr. Andrew Roberts is an internal medicine physician within Community Physician Network working as a full-time hospitalist, but he also serves as medical director at an outpatient addiction clinic specifically focusing on opiate addiction. In addition, he volunteers as a faculty advisor at both the Indiana University School of Medicine and Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine and also serves on various committees at the local level such as on the ACP Indiana Diversity Committee. He founded the original Gay-Straight Medical Alliance at Indiana University School of Medicine back in 2009 and served as president for 2 years before graduating. He continues to stay active in the LGBTQ community and strives to advance the unique needs specific to this patient population.

I am a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Minnesota (#LP6109) and have my PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Missouri - Columbia. My training emphasized the use of empirically supported treatment--therapy approaches that have been researched and shown to make real, measurable change in people’s lives--and a focus on multicultural competence and diversity. I integrate a variety of specific therapy techniques including Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Schema Therapy, and Mindfulness.

Currently, I work part-time at a community outpatient clinic providing therapy to youth and adults who struggle with depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidality. I also have a private practice where I provide individual therapy to teens and adults.

Outside of my clinical work, I serve as a mentor for graduate students through the APAGS LGBT mentoring program and am passionate about advocacy in my communities both small and large.

Dr. Robert Schnarrs is a native of central Pennsylvania. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine from the Pennsylvania State University. This was followed with a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Pennsylvania State University, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. He then embarked upon his surgical training at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania. He completed a general surgery residency and subsequently became board certified in General Surgery and recently recertified.

A Plastic Surgery Residency was then completed at the Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine in Norfolk. Virginia, and then followed with a fellowship in oculoplastic, orbital and aesthetic surgery, also at the Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine. Board certification in Plastic Surgery, as well as a Certificate of Added Qualification in Hand Surgery has been subsequently added. Dr. Schnarrs began practice in the Hampton Roads area in 1991 as an assistant professor on the full time faculty at the Eastern Virginia Medical School, Department of Plastic Surgery. During that time, he also served as the assistant program director for the residency program. In 1994 he departed full time academic practice to begin private practice in Norfolk, Virginia. He has continued in that capacity since. He continues to hold a community faculty position with the Eastern Virginia Medical School and frequently lectures and instructs medical students and residents. Dr. Schnarrs has served and continues to serve on a number of academic committee appointments both locally and nationally. His most recent position was the President of the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine Alumni Association. He has also served on numerous hospital committees locally including Chairman of the Sentara Hospitals, Department of Plastic Surgery on two separate occasions. He holds staff privileges at a number of local hospitals. He is a member of numerous local, state, regional, national, and international societies. He has been appointed to the Virginia Medical Malpractice Review Panel by the Virginia Supreme Court. He serves on two committees for National Plastic Societies and is also an accredited inspector for the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities. He has published numerous articles in plastic surgery related journals, as well as several textbook chapters. He has also edited several educational videotapes. He has participated in numerous medical relief efforts in several developing countries and continues to donate time and effort to provide care and education to underprivileged individuals. He has served on the faculty for numerous educational symposiums and continues to actively lecture on a number of topics, both locally, regionally, and nationally to audiences ranging from lay public to subspecialty continuing education programs for physicians.

Dr. Schnarrs private practice deals predominantly with cosmetic plastic surgery and reconstructive breast surgery. He is regionally recognized as a leader in breast reconstruction for correction of congenital anomalies and after mastectomy for carcinoma. Dr. Schnarrs practice also encompasses the treatment of upper extremity and hand injuries and anomalies, as well correction of craniomaxilofacial injuries. He actively participates in the care of burn victims in association with the trauma service at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

Dr. Schnarrs personal time is predominantly consumed with activities related to his three children, (two daughters and a son). ages ranging from high school and up. He enjoys outdoor activities and recently embarked on obtaining a pilots license.

Why did I become a psychologist? My initial motivation was to right the wrongs perpetrated by the psychiatric/psychological professions against the gay community. They said that we were mentally ill, that we were child molesters, that our sex was perverted, and that love between gay people was inconceivable. And they supported laws that jailed us for participating in consensual sex with other men. They claimed that we could become "normal" (meaning heterosexual) by submitting to years of psychoanalysis, or other forms of treatment such as injections of male hormones, because they viewed us as deficient men.

I thought their approach was wrong for two reasons. In the first place, I knew that trying to convert homosexuals into heterosexuals was doomed to failure. Secondly, I believed that the attempt itself was immoral and unethical. Psychologists and psychiatrists should have been helping gay people lead more productive lives, as gay people, not harming them.

Compassion and empathy are the lessons I learned as a therapist to the gay community for the past 30 years. Through experiences from my own life and from the lives of my patients over three decades, I've learned to chart the points of stagnation in the lives of gay people; the problems in coming out to family and friends, the travails in sorting out one's sexual desires, and the ambivalence of establishing an intimate and long-lasting love affair. While homosexuality is not a mental illness, it is also not a vaccine against the emotional problems of growing up in our society.

A therapist is not your friend, but he should be your ally. That's how I view my role; someone you trust enough to let through the boundaries of your life, someone to share your fears, your shames, and your desires in the knowledge that I will accept these feelings as proof of your search for happiness. These feelings are not weaknesses; they are human qualities that show one's caring and the search for love.

Clayton M. Smith, M.D., FACP, is an Assistant Professor in the University of Louisville Department of Medicine and serves as Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Training Program. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, then attended medical school at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Miami, FL. He completed residency and served as a Chief Resident at the University of Louisville. Dr. Smith sees patients at University Hospital and the University of Louisville Physicians Outpatient Care Center. He has developed a reputation in LGBT healthcare and serves on a national committee to promote diversity in internal medicine training programs. In addition, he also travels regularly to Washington D.C. to advocate for legislation that supports medical education.

"I've got the best job in the world! I love teaching in the clinical setting and challenging our residents to learn something from every patient every day. To watch them mature into competent, caring physicians over the course of three years is a true honor."

I am a primary care physician who's been in practice for over 25 years. Have been taking care of the LGBTQA community ever since. I have a lot of transgender and gay and lesbian patients, as well as male patients who have sex with men but don't identify as LGBTQA. My entire staff and I are quite comfortable dealing with issues involving the community including STIs/STDs and PrEP.

Christopher was a high school math whiz, and studied Spanish language in college. He focused his energy in medical school and residency on LGBTQ populations and Latino healthcare. He has taught throughout his life, from math tutoring to MCAT classes and now bedside clinical teaching for medical students and residents.

Qualifications:

LGBTQ Care
Hormone Therapy for Transgender/Gender-Nonconforming patients
HIV Care

Dr. Alvaro Tori is an intensive care physician at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health and focuses on teaching pediatric critical care in a family-centered care environment. He is the recipient of numerous Riley Red Shoes awards, which recognize outstanding care from patients' families. Dr. Tori also serves as chair of Riley’s Code Committee and director of respiratory care, which focuses on improving the field of critical care medicine and improving patient safety. He mentors a diverse group of residents and fellows, which he regards as part of a personal mission to influence the next generation of practitioners and ensure diversity among their ranks.

Hi there! I'm a clinical psychologist licensed in MA. I work full time in a college counseling center, as well as having a part-time private practice on the side. As a queer, white, cisgender woman, I'm mindful that power and oppression play a significant role in the lives of people with varying identities and have a strong passion for social justice work. I have particular interest and experience working with sexual orientation, transgender/gnc identity and expression, and romantic identity/relationships. I also really enjoy providing evaluations/letters for gender affirming surgery in a streamlined, collaborative, and comfortable way.

I have been serving the trans/nc/nb community for 4+ years and have worked with 35+ transgender and gender expansive individuals clinically. I am a member of WPATH, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health and have completed the WPATH Foundations Course in Transgender Health, as well as advanced workshops in 1) Mental Health and 2) Planning/Documentation of Transition. I also readily seek out training and experience to further my knowledge, skills, and awareness about LGBTQ+ concerns and treatment.

I provide teletherapy for folks in many of life transitions. I have witnessed all things Trans from the inside out as my best friend and then Partner transitioned, followed by my licensing as a Mental Health Therapist.

I am a therapist and the LGBTQ+ Program Coordinator for Syntero; a behavioral health agency in central Ohio. My background spans from early childhood education, to management, to clinical counseling and program development. Personally, I have a dog (German Shepard mix) and two cats, live closer to downtown Columbus, enjoy riding motorcycles when weather permits and have more recently become involved in Yoga practice.

I have been in the Mental Health field since 2014 when I received my Master’s of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. I specialize in working with sex and gender minority individuals as well as trauma survivors. Since starting my current position in June of 2016, I have had the opportunity to work in several large school districts and enjoy teaching professionals how to work better with individuals that identify within the sex and gender minority spectrums. I also am a member of the Greater Columbus LGBTQ Health Coalition and help through volunteer endeavors Queer Behavior and Mozaic Ohio.

Dr. Worly completed his undergraduate education at Columbia University in New York, NY, and then became a middle and high school science and math teacher for 3 years. Dr. Worly then attended the Michigan State University College of Medicine, where he was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Dr. Worly went to the Hospital of University of Pennsylvania for OB/GYN residency, and then practiced OB/GYN for 4 years in Philadelphia at Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Worly moved to Columbus, Ohio in 2013, and continues to practice OB/GYN at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where he sees patients, teaches and mentors fellows, residents, and medical students, and performs research. Dr. Worly has run a Women's Sexual Health Clinic through the OSU Center for Women's Health since 2015, and has been a part of a national committee to improve medical student and OB/GYN resident Sexual Health education since 2016. Dr. Worly has spoken at national OB/GYN meetings about Sexual Health education.

My educational background started by being trained at the University of Alabama School of Medicine. After receiving my medical degree, I completed my psychiatry residency at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. For the first three years of my career I worked at St. Luke's Hospital both as Associate Training Director and as a general outpatient psychiatrist for patients living with chronic and persistent mental illness.

My career goals have been focused on the LGBTQ population working both as president of AGLP: The Association of LGBTQ Psychiatrists and Director of Psychiatry at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, one of the largest LGBTQ Medical Centers in the world.

My work with patients is more eclectic but the core model I work with is more psychodynamic. Working with various patient populations and diagnoses have led me to be very comfortable prescribing and managing various medications. I also have a great deal of experience working with the transgender and gender non-conforming population (TGNC) conducting evaluations and writing letters for gender marker changes, hormones, and surgical procedures.