Research Collaborator Bios

These are researchers who either have developed collaborations on projects with us to study issues tied to heterosexism, transphobia and their influence in diverse LGBTQ+ communities as well as issues related to LGBTQ+ self-expression, identity, joy, and connection.

Kathleen Collins, PhD, (she/her) is a psychologist at the Psychology Specialists of Maine where she provides LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy. She conducts mixed method work that integrates perspectives from psychotherapy process research to understand the psychological processes through which minority stress harms mental health, as well as to outline pathways to healing from the effects of social stigma.

Sophie Schuyler, MA, (she/her) is interested in identifying and reducing the barriers to academic success and psychological wellbeing faced by college students that are part of marginalized groups, with an emphasis on LGBTQ and first generation students.

Rachel Chickerella, PhD, (she/her) is a core faculty member at Antioch University New England. She studies bisexuality and other nonmonosexual identities and how stigma, media representation and internalized biphobia impact identity development. In her faculty role, she advises students, including on research that involves LGBTQ+ concerns. She also practices as a psychotherapist, with an emphasis on identity work with LGBTQ+ individuals.