MA in Clinical Psychology, LGBT-Affirmative Psychology
Empower Members of Marginalized Groups to Live Healthy Lives.
Antioch has been a pioneer in social justice for over 160 years, consistently pushing the boundaries of equality for the greater good of all marginalized groups. In the LGBT-Affirmative Psychology Specialization, you’ll develop the knowledge, attitudes, skills, and self-awareness to implement the most effective and empowering mental health services for LGBT individuals. Challenge how you understand identity and become part of a community of advocates challenging broader categories of identity and helping advance greater equality and understanding.
This degree is offered by Antioch University's Los Angeles Campus.
Program Overview
We launched one of the nation’s first graduate psychology specializations devoted to affirmative psychology for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) individuals over 10 years ago. Now in its second decade of training professionals to become practitioner-advocates in the LGBT community, the program welcomes you and is excited for you to explore our intersections between social justice and LGBT resilience and liberation. In two years, you can complete all the required coursework for California licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) or a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). The Antioch University Los Angeles specialization in LGBT-Affirmative Theory and Practice will help you as an affirmative practitioner address the impact of minority stress (e.g., both institutionalized and internalized homo/bi/transphobia) that can be seen as underlying causes for depression, anxiety, substance abuse, unsafe sex, and other psychic challenges faced by many LGBT individuals. The LGBT Specialization benefits both LGBT people wanting to become immersed in the life-saving domain of affirmative theory and practice as well as “allies” who themselves may not be LGBT but are eager to serve this community with new competencies and qualifications.
President's Merit Scholarship
The President’s Merit Scholarships are awarded to new students seeking a master’s degree. Awards are determined by prior academic performance (minimum 3.40 GPA) and work/life experience. Awards of $6000 are distributed equally over the first two academic years of a student’s program. You must remain enrolled full-time, and your academic progress will be reviewed each term. You must complete each course in which you are registered in order to continue receiving the scholarship. To learn about this scholarship and more, visit our Scholarships and Grants page.
Additional Information
This program is designed to lead to state licensure.
Through the LGBT specialization, students will:
- Learn to treat symptoms of internalized homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and heterosexism in LGBT clients through exploring the unconscious.
- Explore unconscious dynamics unique to LGBT people
- Gain expertise in the most effective techniques in LGBT affirmative psychotherapy
- Grow awareness of the unique issues associated with multiple oppressions of LGBT people of color
Specialization Courses (17 units)
- Affirmative Psychotherapy
- Healing Historical Oppression in LGBT Communities
- Dismantling Privilege and Oppression within LGBT Communities
- LGBT Clinical and Psychological Wellness Across the Lifespan
- LGBT Community Action
- LGBT Identity Workshop
- Lesbian Women
- Gay Men
- Bisexual People
- Queer women
- Transgender and Gender Non-conforming
- Intersex
- LGBT Electives
We are honored to have our LGBT Specialization in Clinical Psychology featured in the NY Times. This article discusses the importance of LGBT-affirmative theories and practices in mental health training and makes some powerful statements about the inherent, and even spiritual, nature of being LGBT and the need for a unique LGBT psychology. Although there is one paradigm represented in the article, it is only one of the perspectives that is discussed in the program. As Antioch University prides itself on social justice, we firmly believe in the importance of incorporating multiple realities with students. As such, the LGBT Specialization cherishes these alternative perspectives in the training of our students.
As an Initiative of Antioch University, Colors LGBTQ Youth Counseling Center has partnered with Antioch University Counseling Center, to create the nation’s first site for practice of LGBTQ-Affirmative Theory and Practice devoted to the well-being of youth and their families. Colors is a free LGBTQ-affirmative youth counseling center serving the needs of Los Angeles area Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) youth under 25.
Faculty Spotlights
Dr. Kristienne Brooks
Adjunct Faculty
Jared S Becknell
Adjunct Faculty
Alli Spotts-De Lazzer
Adjunct Faculty
Gregor V. Sarkisian, PhD
Core Faculty, Director of Applied Community Psychology Specialization
Admissions
How to Apply
- Start your online application.
- Submit an official transcript showing your bachelor’s degree conferral from a regionally accredited college or university. If you attended an undergraduate program outside of the United States, please see the international transcript evaluation instructions on our website for further information.
- Electronic transcripts: Have your institution send them to [email protected]. Many institutions offer electronic delivery through Parchment and National Student Clearinghouse.
- Mailed transcripts: Send to our central campus location:
Antioch University
Attn: Admissions
900 Dayton Street
Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387
- Complete and submit the admissions essay. See essay prompt for details and instructions.
- Optional: Submit one professional letter of recommendation from a current or former instructor, employer, or mental health professional who can speak to your potential for success in graduate study in psychology. Letters from peer coworkers, friends, relatives, or personal therapists will not be reviewed.
- Submit the $50 application fee.
Note: The application fee is waived for anyone attending an information session. Interested in attending? Sign up now!
After we receive your application, the admissions team will contact you about a virtual group interview.
Application Deadline
| Quarter | Priority Deadline* | Application Deadline*** |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | February 1 | March 15 |
| Fall | March 15 | August 1 |
| Winter | August 1 | November 1 |
| *International application deadline is priority deadline | ||
| Please review the Academic Calendar for additional details. | ||
Cost
Clinical Psychology (MA) & Psychological Studies (MA)
| Cost per credit | $ 956 |
|---|---|
| View the Cost of Attendance Components | |
Financial Aid
A majority of AULA students finance their education through some form of financial aid. You may not be sure which federal, state, public and private aid packages – such as loans, scholarships, and grants—are right for you. Our staff is here to help you, so you can focus on what’s most important: beginning your academic program at AULA.
Start your Antioch Journey
Take your next step - talk to our admissions team to find the right program for you.