Research Guides: Queer Conversations : Queer Conversations on Mental Health

Queer Conversations on Mental Health

Join us for a conversation featuring a panel of mental health professionals (current and future) who have experience supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. The event will also feature small group discussions.

The event will be held 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 28, in the rooms 102–104 of the Frieson Black Cultural Center [1800 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville], as well as through Zoom at tiny.utk.edu/QueerConvo23.

Panelists

Oscar Anderson is a proud 24 year old pansexual, Trans man who has been openly transitioning for the last 5+ years. I was raised in a rural Southern town with minimal mental health support or acceptance. That, in turn, gave me a strong passion to advocate and educate the community based on my lived experiences.

Sinéad Doherty serves as a family therapist, parent trainer and coordinator of Therapeutic Camps at Harmony Family Center, holding specific expertise with youth and trauma. In 2022, noticing community needs, she designed and implemented Rainbow Camp programming for queer youth and their families. Sinéad and her wife Analise foster LGBTQ+ teens.

Jennifer McComas is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice in Knoxville, TN. In her 11 years of clinical experience, she has worked in substance misuse, college counseling and with individuals with cancer, focusing on identity development, self-compassion and Internal Family Systems work. In her private practice Jennifer focuses primarily on women and queer people who are deconstructing/reconstructing their faith, come from non-affirming families and those with adverse religious experiences, particularly former or currently practicing LGBT Christians. Jennifer identifies as a queer woman with her own spicy faith journey. She is passionate about full inclusion of LGBT people within faith communities.

Dr. Christina Perkins, DSW, LCSW, is a queer Appalachian woman. She serves as the Assistant Director of the UT Psychological Clinic as well as operating a small private practice focusing on serving folks who are LGBTQIA. She specializes in treating trauma and attachment related grief. She is a mama to a 1-year-old and loves all animals.