Transgender Perspectives: The Psychological, Medical, Legal, and Personal Implications of Transition
When: Friday, June 21 | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | 6 CE Credits
Where: Cleveland Crowne Plaza South | 5300 Rockside Road, Independence, 44131
(Call 216-524-0700 for hotel reservations)
Presenters: Joan Burda, Sue Doerfer, Antone Feo, PhD, Bob & Karen Gross, Henry Ng, MD, MPH, FAAP, FACP, Angie Wellman, Milo Wilson
Registration Cost: $125 OPA Member | $150 Non-Member | $75 Student
Description: Ideas about gender non-conformity are changing rapidly. The professional community and those involved in public policy wrestle with how to respond to the needs of those who live outside of what a majority might consider “normal” gender roles and sexuality. The workshop will explore how transgendered persons come to terms with gender identity and how their journey affects them, their families and the communities they are a part of. There are important developmental variables to consider. The medical, social, psychological, and legal aspects of gender transition will be addressed.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will:
- Be introduced to professionals and persons with direct experience with gender transition to gain insight into the many variables and complications that are faced by transgendered persons.
- Learn about some of the specific medical procedures and legal ramifications of gender transition.
- Learn about the psychological aspects involved in coming to terms with unhappiness about one’s gender and resolving to live as a transgendered person.
- Learn about how families are impacted by a relative who is transgender.
- Learn about resources available to transgendered persons, persons questioning their gender assignment, and to families who have a transgender family member.
About the Speakers:
Joan M. Burda is a lawyer and author of the award-winning book, Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples, Second Edition (ABA 2012) and Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Clients: A Lawyer’s Guide (ABA 2008). She writes about LGBT legal issues for online and print publications. In addition, Ms. Burda speaks on LGBT issues at conferences and workshops around the country. Ms. Burda is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Case Western Reserve University School of Law where she teaches Sexual Orientation and the Law. Ms. Burda lives in Lakewood, Ohio with her spouse, Betsy.
Sue Doerfer is a licensed, independent social worker currently in private practice specializing in providing therapy to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals, couples and families.
Sue has been a tireless activist in the Cleveland LGBT Community for the past 12 years. She has served as the Executive Director of the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland and Equality Ohio. While working with a coalition of other community members Sue was instrumental in beginning the Domestic Partner Registry for the City of Cleveland and adding Gender Identity and Expression to the Cleveland Non-Discrimination Ordinance.
Before taking the helm at the LGBT Center, Sue worked as the Clinical Director of Services for the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland. Since relocating to Cleveland in 2001, Doerfer has also served on the County Committee on Disabilities, the Ryan White Case Management Network, the Cleveland Pride Board of Directors and the Regional AIDS Advisory Committee. She has also been involved as an adjunct professor at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences and a private practice therapist in Ohio City.
Doerfer holds a Master of Social Work degree and is licensed as an Independent Social Worker by the state of Ohio. Before her move to Ohio, Doerfer worked for many years providing services to people with HIV/AIDS in Newark, New Jersey.
Antonio F. Feo, PhD was awarded his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Fielding Institute. He completed a three year training program at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, Ohio. He is president and owner of Antone F. Feo, Ph.D & Associates, Inc. which is located in Westlake, Ohio. He is also the director of Integrated Wellness. This holistic program is staffed with practitioners who offer an alternative approach to healing: yoga, reiki, acupuncture, polarity, massage therapy, meditation. Further, Dr. Feo is a volunteer at the Cleveland Pride Clinic, which is part of the MetroHealth Hosptial. The Clinic offers medical, psychiatric, social work and psychological services to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community.
Dr. Feo has worked with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community for most of his professional career. During this time he has specialized working with Transgender individuals. He has used his professional skills to help Transgender individuals understand and comply with the standards of care set forth by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. At this time Dr. Feo is developing a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender awareness program.
Karen and Bob Gross have been married for 48 years, formed TransFamily of Cleveland as a result of their efforts to find a support system to help them deal with their own child’s transition. Bob has an MBA in banking and finance and is a CPA. Karen has a BS in education, taught school for many years and now splits her time between being Bob’s office manager, running her own business (helping new mothers in the first weeks after childbirth) and TransFamily. They have traveled throughout the country educating PFLAG chapters and other groups about transgender issues. Bob and Karen also contributed chapters to Mary Boenke’s book, Trans Forming Families: Real Stories About Transgendered Loved Ones, now in its 3rd edition.
Henry Ng, MD, MPH, FAAP, FACP is an Internist-Pediatrician at MetroHealth Medical Center. He completed both his BS in Biochemistry and his MD at Michigan State University. He completed his residency and chief residency in Internal Medicine/Pediatrics at MetroHealth Medical Center and subsequently joined the faculty in 2006. In 2012, He completed a Master’s in Public Health degree at Case Western Reserve University with a special emphasis on Health Promotion/Disease Prevention for LGBT populations. He holds the rank of Assistant Professor at Case Western School of Medicine.
Dr. Ng’s passion is to improve access to and provide culturally effective primary care to special needs populations. He helped develop and currently serves as the Clinical Director of the PRIDE Clinic, Ohio’s only medical home for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) patients. He also cares for children from Spanish-speaking families at the Health Services for Hispanic Children and Adolescents clinic. He previously provided care for adults and children with special needs through the Comprehensive Care Division of Pediatrics at MetroHealth Medical Center and was the medical director for the Metro Youth Outreach (MYO) program, an outreach program for high risk Cleveland youth ages 14 to 24.
Dr. Ng is dedicated to promoting and improving LGBT health. He has lectured on LGBT health and health disparities to students, health care providers, agencies and organizations in the Midwest and nationwide. He is the President-Elect of the national Gay Lesbian Medical Association and is involved in medical student and resident education and mentorship.
Dr. Ng has been recognized for his dedication to medical education by both the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics at MetroHealth Medical Center. He has received a number of community and academic awards.
Dr. Ng is fluent in English, Spanish, Cantonese and American Sign Language (ASL).
Angie Wellman earned her BA in criminal justice and women’s studies from Kent State University where she served as a catalyst to providing diversity and inclusion trainings to residence hall staff. A licensed professional counselor, she received her MSE degree in clinical counseling and school guidance counseling from University of Dayton. She has co-facilitated the Women’s Discussion group at the Cleveland LGBT Center, helped initiate youth programming at the Akron Pride Center and served as the program coordinator at Stonewall Columbus for two years before assuming the position of Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Youth Center in January of 2003, leading the Center until January 2010. She is currently Intercultural Specialist, LGBT Student Initiatives, with the Ohio State University Multicultural Center and maintains a private practice.
Milo Wilson is currently a predoctoral psychology intern at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System and is soon to complete his doctoral degree in clinical psychology at Ohio University. Mr. Wilson’s research interests include interpersonal violence and transgender health. Clinically, his interests are in the area of trauma and substance use disorders. He also has expertise in the area of LGBT mental health services. He has presented at both national and regional conferences on the topics of LGBT issues, professional advocacy, and trauma. Mr. Wilson is also dedicated to professional service in psychology. He has served on the OPA Board of Directors and as the Chair of the Ohio Psychological Association of Graduate Students. Upon conclusion of his OPA service, he was elected Chair of the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students and served on the APA Board of Directors and Council of Representatives. Mr. Wilson is passionate about advocacy related to graduate psychology education and LGBT issues. After receipt of his doctoral degree, Mr. Wilson will compete his postdoctoral fellowship at the Milwaukee VAMC in LGBT veteran healthcare.
Questions? Please contact Joan Bowman.
The Ohio Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Ohio Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
The Ohio Psychological Association also is approved by the State of Ohio Counselor and Social Worker Board to provide continuing professional education. The approved provider number is #RCS070608.
