Meet Dr. Cadyn

Cadyn Cathers, PsyD, MBA

he/him/his

Licensed Psychologist – PSY 32839

Available for Individual and Group Clinical Consultation

Consult with Dr. Cadyn

Identities:

Genderful transgender man
Bisexual
Ambiamorous
Disabled
Neurodivergent
2nd generation Polish American

I work to facilitate growth and development so that people can live more authentically and meaningfully.

What is working with me like?

I take an affirmative approach to help clients with a wide range of sexual and gender identities like yours. I spend time collaboratively creating a safe place to explore minority stressors, resolve conflicts, and feel more connected to the here and now.

My clinical work, lived experiences, and academic work leaves me especially attuned to working with:

Transgender and nonbinary adults, particularly in early coming out and/or transition
Identity development and growth
Pre-verbal trauma in LGBTQIA+ communities
LGBTQIA+ adults seeking support in important life transitions
LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs

By exploring relational patterns in a safe environment, you can start to understand how those relationships to others, yourself, your work, and your gender have been impacting you and begin to change them (if desired). By paying attention to the present relationship between you and me, we can start to notice which parts of the past are still influencing the way you relate to yourself and others today and how that may influence the future.

My Education

2023 – MBA with specialization in Leadership and Teams from Antioch University

2019 – PsyD in Applied Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

2014 – 1 Year Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Certificate from Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis Los Angeles
2011 – MA in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in LGBT Affirmative Psychology and a concentration in health Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles

teaching graduate students

Cadyn Cathers teaching a course with the Affirmative Couch on the need for more affirmative therapists

The Affirmative Couch Continuing Education Courses

Advocacy Efforts for Affirmative Therapists (co-taught with Melissa Dellens, MA, LMFT, TRM-1) (1 CE)
Supporting LGBTQIA+ People with Long COVID (2 CEs)
Affirmative Supervision: Becoming Deliberately Developmental (6 CEs)
Ethical Implications of Informed Consent for Mental Health Professionals (4 CEs)
From Gender Dysphoria to Gender Euphoria (3 CEs)
Suicide Prevention in LGBTQIA+ Clients (6 CEs)
WPATH Standards of Care 8 for Mental Health Professionals (2 CEs)
Fundamentals of LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy (2 CEs)
Working Alliance with Transgender and Gender Nonbinary Clients (2 CEs)
Psychological Preparation for Medical Transition (12 CEs)
Identity Development around Sexuality, Gender, and Relationships (5 CEs)

Academic & Teaching Experience

Antioch University Los Angeles
- Adjunct Faculty in MA Psychology Program (Traditional: 2011-2024; Low Residency 2021-Present)
  - Psychodynamic Theory & Practice Courses
    - Personality I: Psychodynamic Theories
    - Clinical Applications of Winnicott’s Thinking
    - Melanie Klein: Object Relations for Relational Therapies
    - Making Melanie Klein Relevant: Accessing and Transforming Infantile States
    - Transference/Countertransference: Eros & Psyche
    - Process of Psychotherapy I
    - Process of Psychotherapy II
  - Psychological Practice Courses
    - Psychopathology & Treatment Planning
    - Psychopharmacology
    - Research for Mental Health Professionals
    - Field Study: Psychology & Society
  - LGBT Specialization Courses & Electives
    - Affirmative Therapy: Exploring Sex & Gender
    - LGBT Clinical Issues & Psychological Wellness Across the Lifespan
    - Working with LGBTQIA Clients: Theoretical Applications
    - Therapeutic Process with Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Patients
    - Transgender and Gender Diverse Clients: An Affirmative Approach
    - Intersex Clients: Biomedical, Ethical, and Psychological Considerations
    - Human Sexuality
- Teaching Faculty in LGBT Specialization in the MA Psychology Program (2020-2022)
- Co-director of LGBT Specialization in MA Psychology Program (2017-2020)
- Affiliate Faculty in LGBT Specialization of MA Psychology Program (2012-2017)
Reiss-Davis Graduate School
- Adjunct Faculty (2021-Present)
  - Psychodynamic Theory I
  - Dissertation Development I, II, III, and IV
  - Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Psychological Research Designs
- Dissertation Reader & Chair (2023-Present)
Pacifica Graduate Institute
- Adjunct Faculty in MA/PhD Program (2022-2023)
  - Psychoanalytic-Based Psychotherapy I: Developmental Perspectives
  - Advanced Psychopathology I
  - Psychoanalytic-Based Psychotherapy II: Personality & Psychopathology
California State University
- Adjunct Faculty in MS Counseling Program (2019-2024)
  - Counseling and Human Sexuality
  - Psychopharmacology in Clinical Counseling
Mount Saint Mary’s University
- Adjunct Faculty in MS Counseling Program (2016-2021)
  - Psychopharmacology
  - Applying Research to Practice
  - Counseling Theories
Alliant International University
- Adjunct Faculty in MA Couples and Family Therapy Program (2012-2020)
  - Community Mental Health
  - Sex Therapy for Marriage and Family Therapists
- Adjunct Faculty in PsyD Couples and Family Therapy Program (2012)
  - Community Mental Health

Cadyn Cathers holding a coffee cup in front of LGBTQIA+ flags on a desk

My Publications

Cathers, C. & Sullivan, S. (2022). Developmental Approaches for clinical work with CNM individuals. In Burnes, T. & M. Vaughan (Eds.). The handbook of consensual non-monogamy: Affirming mental health practice. Rowman & Littlefield.

Cathers, C. (2021). Rose is so much sweeter: Navigating the name change process with transgender and gender non-conforming clients. In J. S. Whitman & C. J. Boyd (Eds.) Homework assignments and handouts for LGBTQ+ clients: A mental health and counseling handbook. Routledge.

Cathers, C. (2018). An introduction to gender confirming surgeries. The Los Angeles Psychologist. 32(2). pp. 8-9

Cathers, C., Carter, C. & Landon, S. (2017). Teaching LGBT Psychology in Community Settings. In Stanley and T. Burnes (Ed.), Teaching LGBTQ Psychology: Queering Innovative Pedagogy and Practice. Washington, D. C.: American Psychological Association.

Available for Individual and Group Clinical Consultation

Consult with Dr. Cadyn

cadyn couch