An Emphasis on Sex

By Anna Bailey, Spring 2011

The Gender Emphasis Group, a student-run organization formed to support and promote inclusion of gender and sexuality issues at CSPP SF, is organizing a conference to fill a void in the current program curriculum. Over the past two years, this small group of students has engaged their peers, faculty, and administration in efforts to increase the availability of curricular and clinical training offerings related to LGBTQQI populations.

In an effort to engage CSPP students and other Bay Area residents training to be mental health service providers, the Gender Emphasis Group has organized a free one day conference on Saturday, April 16th entitled, “Contemporary Feminist and Queer Psychologies: Research, Theory, and Practice.” The goal of the conference is to foster a discussion on and expand our current conceptions of queer and feminist theories, multicultural identities, and notions of gender, sexuality and power as they relate to mental illness, research, and clinical practice.

One of the keynote presenters is Jeanna Eichenbaum, LCSW. Ms. Eichenbaum has worked in mental health for more than 20 years. She currently is the Clinical Director of the Substance Abuse Day Hospital at the San Francisco VA. She has experience working with clients grappling with addiction, trauma, and HIV/AIDS, as well as working with LGBTQQI communities. Eichenbaum has given numerous lectures on issues related to gender identity and was featured in the documentary, “Diagnosing Difference.”

The conference will feature information sessions from other Bay Area psychologists, researchers, and members of the CSPP faculty. Organizers plan for a clinical case panel discussion, several concurrent breakout sessions, and a closing keynote address. Again, the conference is free of charge, and breakfast will be provided.

Please look for conference material featuring an updated schedule and presenters. To register, email your name and your school/institution to: CSPP2011conference@gmail.com.