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Get to know me:

I’m a Chinese American nonbinary psychologist and trainer based in Oakland, CA. I’m committed to body liberation for all people. Areas of emphasis include trans health, disordered eating, addictions, trauma/EMDR, IFS, and somatic therapy. Outside of work, I’m a punoff competitor, smoosh-faced dog enthusiast, and dancer.

What does affirmative psychotherapy mean to me?

Affirmative psychotherapy means meeting people where they are and welcoming all parts of them into healing work. It often means helping people to unlearn all the messages of white supremacist heteropatriarchy, colonialism, and capitalism that tell us that some bodies are more valuable than others and pathologize certain identities and experiences.

What populations do I work with? What is my level of expertise (friendly, knowledgeable, expert) for each of those populations?

I have dedicated my career as a therapist to working with people whose sexualities and gender identities are considered outside of dominant culture norms. A vast majority of my work is with queer, trans, and nonbinary people, as well as people in kink/BDSM and ethically non-monogamous communities. I often work with BIPOC individuals at these intersections. I also work a great deal with disordered eating / eating disorders from a Health At Every Size (HAES), Body Trust® perspective, and fat-positive perspective.

What is my approach to healing?

My work is grounded in body liberation for all people and decolonizing traditional approaches to mental health and healing. Over the years, my approach has become increasingly somatic, as I do not believe healing is possible without tending to the body. My primary approaches are Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR therapy, and Somatic Experiencing (SE), and at times I integrate elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Regardless of the focus of the work, I believe in the power of the relationship between myself and the people I work with as a vehicle for healing.

What issues am I most skilled at addressing as a mental health professional?

Trauma, cultural identities, gender (trans and nonbinary experience/identity in particular), sexuality, disordered eating, addictions, relationship concerns.

PUBLICATIONS

Books

Chang, S. C., Singh, A. A., & dickey, l. m. (2018). A clinician’s guide to gender-affirming care: Working with transgender and gender nonconforming clients. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

Book Chapters

Chang, S. C. (2019). Token Act. In Rajunov, M., & Duane, A. S. (Eds.). Nonbinary: Memoirs of gender and identity. New York, NY: Columbia University Press.

Singh, A. A., Truszczynski, N., White, L., Chang, S. C., & Beaty, Z. (2019). Integrating intersectionality when working with trans older adults. In C. Hardacker. K. Ducheny, & M. Channyn (Eds), Transgender and gender nonconforming health and aging (XX-XX). New York, NY: Springer.

Chang, S. C. (2016). Confessions of A Gender Specialist. In Sharman, Z. (Ed.). The remedy: Queer and trans voices on health and health care.

Skolnik, A., & Chang, S. C. (in press). Anti-Trans Bias in the DSM. SAGE Encyclopedia of Psychology and Gender. In K. Nadal (Ed.), The SAGE encyclopedia of psychology and gender. Thousand Oaks, CA.

Chang, S. C., & Skolnik, S. (in press). Transgender Day of Remembrance. In K. Nadal (Ed.), The SAGE encyclopedia of psychology and gender. Thousand Oaks, CA.

Chang, S. C., Singh, A. A., & Rossman, K. (2016). Gender and Sexual Orientation Diversity within the TGNC Community. In A. A. Singh & l. m. dickey (Eds.). Affirmative counseling and psychological practice with transgender and gender nonconforming clients. Washington DC: American Psychological Association.

Singh, A., Hwanhg, S., Chang, S. C., & White, B. (2016). Affirmative Counseling with Trans/Gender-variant People of Color. In A. A. Singh & l. m. dickey (Eds.). Affirmative counseling and psychological practice with transgender and gender nonconforming clients. Washington DC: American Psychological Association.

Chang, S. C., Cohen, J. R., & Singh, A. A. (2016). Working With TGNC Primary Caregivers and Family Concerns Across the Lifespan. In A. A. Singh & l. m. dickey (Eds.). Affirmative counseling and psychological practice with transgender and gender nonconforming clients. Washington DC: American Psychological Association.

dickey, l. m., Singh, A. A., Chang, S. C., & Rehrig, M. Advocacy and Social Justice: The Next Generation of Counseling and Psychological Practice With Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Clients. In A. A. Singh & l. m. dickey (Eds.). Affirmative counseling and psychological practice with transgender and gender nonconforming clients. Washington DC: American Psychological Association.

Chang, S. C. (2016). EMDR Therapy as Transgender-Affirmative Care. EMDR as a Culturally Attuned and Effective Psychotherapy. In M. Nickerson (Ed.), Cultural competence and healing culturally based trauma with EMDR therapy: Innovative strategies and protocols. New York: Springer Publishing Company.

Andre, A., & Chang, S. C. (2009). “There And Back Again: Revisiting the Femme Experience of Genderfucking. In J. Burke (Ed.), Femmethology. Homofactus Press.

Andre, A., & Chang, S. C. (2006). “And Then You Cut Your Hair:” Genderfucking on the Femme Side of the Spectrum. In M. B. Sycamore (Ed.), Nobody Passes: Rejecting the Rules of Gender and Conformity (pp. 264-269). Emeryville, CA: Seal Press.

Journal Articles

Porter, K. E., Brennan-Ing, M., Chang, S. C., dickey, l. m., Singh, A. A., Bower, K. L. & Witten, T. M. (2016). Providing competent and affirming services for transgender and gender nonconforming older adults. Clinical Gerontologist, 39(5).

Chang, S. C., & Singh, A. A. (2016). Affirming psychological practice with transgender and gender nonconforming people of color. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 3(2), 140.

Online Publications

Chang, S. C., & Shelton, K. (2015). Tipping Point or State of Emergency? Real Talk About Transgender Women of Color. Psychology Benefits Society.

EDUCATION & LICENSE

Education: PhD in Clinical Psychology

Years in Practice: 18

School: California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University

Year Graduated: 2006

License # and State: CA PSY22098

Additional Credentials: Certified EMDR Therapist and Consultant-In-Training, Certified Body Trust® Provider

OFFICE INFORMATION

Accessibility: Virtual only as of March 2020

FINANCES

Fee Range: $225 for 45-minute sessions; limited number of reduced fee slots

Accepted Payment Methods: Credit, Debit, Check

Accepted Insurance Plans: Private pay only, can provide superbills for out of network reimbursement