Question 1

About Me

Accepted Answer

I am a queer therapist who works with LGBTQIA+ individuals, couples/partners, families, parents, and groups. I have a PhD in Couple & Family Therapy from the University of Iowa and am a Licensed Marital & Family Therapist (LMFT) in Colorado, Iowa, and Wisconsin. I have a Certification in Advanced EMDR Therapy Skills, am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), and am a Certified Family Trauma Professional (CFTP).

Question 2

Clinical Focus

Accepted Answer

I am a queer therapist who works with queer individuals, couples, partners, families, and parents in Colorado, Iowa, and Wisconsin- both parents who are queer and parents of queer kids. I use postmodern therapy models including Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Collaborative Therapy to provide queer-affirming and gender-affirming mental health care, WPATH-based psychosocial assessments and letters of support, neurodivergent-validating and trauma-informed mental health support to individuals, couples, parents, and families like yours.Unfortunately, queer people are more likely to have trauma. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and Certified Family Trauma Professional (CFTP) and I have training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I help clients like you process trauma so you can move forward.​Specializations: Queer and gender-affirming mental healthcare, trauma/PTSDAffirming of:LGBTQIA2s+NeurodiversityPolyamorySex-positivity

Question 3

Research

Accepted Answer

Selected Refereed PublicationsGutierrez, D., Zeiger, K. D., Rago, C., Rodriguez Jimenez, K., Schiff, B., & McGee, S. (2024). Loss of safe spaces: Ambiguous loss and minority stressors of BIPOC LGBTQ+ communities amidst the covid-19 pandemic. Sexual and Gender Diversity in Social Services, 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/29933021.2024.2407346Zeiger, K. D., Ball, M.A. (2022) How the Compulsory Gender Binary Language in the DSM-5’s Category of Sexual Interest Disorders Interacts Negatively with Patients’ Nonbinary and Genderqueer Identities. Sexuality & Culture 26, 1531–1539 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-022-09950-0.Selected Book ChaptersZeiger, K. D. (2026). Cameras Off: Gender Dysphoria in Teletherapy. In Rebecca Cobb. (Ed), The Therapist’s Notebook for Teletherapy with Children and Adolescents: Creative Interventions for Effective Online Therapy. Routledge Zeiger, K. D. & Goslin, A. (2021). Parenting. In Priest, J. B., Williams, R. M. C., & Lee, A. (Eds), Relate: Sex, Intimacy, and Conflict. University of Iowa PressbooksSelected Briefs and Web PublicationsZeiger, K. D. (2026). The GOP’s Anti-Trans Crusade Already Forced Me to Move My Family: I’m Still Not Sure We’re Safe. The Slate Group. https://slate.com/life/2026/03/transgender-minor-health-care-bans-iowa-colorado-trumpgop.html Zeiger, K. D. (2025). Inclusive Therapists Review 2025: My Experience Using the Directory. (Medically-Reviewed Web Article Update) Choosing Therapy. https://www.choosingtherapy.com/i-tried-finding-a-therapist-on-inclusive-therapists/Galebovic, M., & Zeiger, K. D. (2024). How to Start Therapy: 9 Tips from a Therapist. (Medically-Reviewed Web Article Update) Choosing Therapy. https://www.choosingtherapy.com/how-to-start-therapy/Zeiger, K. D. (2023). What Is Chronic Trauma? Symptoms, Examples, & Treatment (Medically-Reviewed Web Article). Choosing Therapy. https://www.choosingtherapy.com/chronic-trauma/​Selected Works in ProgressZeiger, K. D. & Sandoval, J. (Journal Article In Progress). Developing the T-QUIP: Trans-Inclusive Questionnaire for Updating Intake Practices. Zeiger, K. D. & Watters, E. R. (Journal Article In Progress). Poly Affirmative, Competent, and Inclusive Couples and Partners Therapy.Gutierrez, D., Zeiger, K. D., Watters, E., Rago, C., & Price, A. (Journal Article In Progress). In the midst of chaos: A path analysis of minority stressors and role of safe spaces for LGBTQ+ communities during COVID.Zeiger, K. D. & Hartenstein, J. L. (Journal Article In Progress). “My Family Just Totally Rejected It”: A Narrative Exploration into Rural U.S. Trans and Gender Variant Identities and Adverse Stress Experiences.Selected Refereed Conference PresentationsZeiger, K. D. & Sandoval, J. A. (May, 2026) Trans-Inclusive Questionnaire for Updating Intake Practices (T-QUIP) [Oral Presentation]. 26th International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations. México City, MéxicoRoberts, N., Price, A., Zeiger, K. D., Jendrzejewski, S., & Gutierrez, D. (April, 2026) Providers Under Pressure: Measuring Trans-affirming Providers’ Experiences (TAPE) in the Context of Evolving Healthcare Policies [Oral Presentation]. 2026 Society for Public Health Education Annual Conference. Portland, OR, USA Gutierrez, D., Zeiger, K. D., Watters, E. R., Rago, C., & Price, A. (November, 2025) In the Midst of Chaos: A Path Analysis of Minority Stressors and the Loss of Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Communities During COVID [Oral Presentation]. 9th Global Summit on Feminist and LGBTQ+ Studies (Feminist & LGBTQ+ Studies 2025). Vancouver, Canada Zeiger, K. D. (November, 2024) Cameras Off: Collaborating With Genderqueer Clients in Teletherapy [Research Poster]. National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference. Bellevue, WAZaman, H.A., Hamilton, A.M., Zeiger, K.D., Sandoval, J.A. (2024, November). Wild tactics: A conversation discussing potential practices and education for acknowledging, honoring, and engaging with queer and trans of color life during COVID-19 [Research Poster]. National Council on Family Relations, Bellevue, WA.​​

Question 4

Licenses, Certifications, and Affiliations

Accepted Answer

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)Colorado #0002784 (Exp. 08/31/2027)Iowa #112891 (Exp. 09/30/2026)Wisconsin #2244-124 (Exp. 02/28/2027)​Certifications2019- Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)2019 - Certified Family Trauma Professional (CFTP)​​DesignationsAAMFT Clinical FellowAAMFT Approved Supervisor​Professional Organization Membership AffiliationAmerican Association for Marriage and Family TherapyNational Council on Family RelationsAmerican Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and TherapistsGLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ EqualityPACEs (Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences) Connection

Question 5

Education and Training

Accepted Answer

EducationPhD in Couple and Family Therapy (2024). University of Iowa.Dissertation: Trans Inclusive and Trans Competent Clinical Practices: Improving Clinical Intakes and Settings | Chair: Dr. Jacob B. Priest​MA in Educational Measurement & Statistics (2025). University of Iowa.Thesis: Factor Analysis of Modified LGBT Minority Stress Scale for BIPOC LGBTQ+ American Population | Chair: Dr. Lesa HoffmanMS in Human Development and Family Science (2020). University of Central Missouri.​Specialization: Marriage and Family Therapy University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO Thesis: A Narrative Inquiry into Trans and Gender Variant Identities and Adverse Stress Experiences Chair: Dr. Jaimee HartensteinBA in Psychology (2018). Columbia College.Minors: Anthropology, Sociology, Women’s StudiesGraduate CertificationsSex Therapy (In-Progress). Antioch University.College Teaching (2022). University of Iowa.

Question 6

Honors, Awards, and Recognitions

Accepted Answer

Emerging Scholar Award (May 2026). Twenty-Sixth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations, México City, México.NCFR Honors (Fall 2024). NCFR Honors Student Recognition Program, National Council on Family Relations.Social Justice Award (May 2022). Couple and Family Therapy Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.Level I Award for E-entry Research Presentation: A Narrative Inquiry into Trans and Gender Variant Identities and Adverse Stress Experiences (April 2020). Graduate Scholars Symposium - University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO.Level I Award for Research Poster and Presentation: The Role of Resources and Security on Primary Caregiver Negative Parenting Behaviors (April 2019). Graduate Scholars Symposium - University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO.The Presidential Award (May 2018). Columbia College, Columbia, MO.Summa Cum Laude (April 2018). Columbia College, Columbia, MO.Dean’s List (2016-2018). Columbia College, Columbia, M.

Kalen D Zeiger

PhD, LMFT, EMDRPT-II, CTTP, CFTP

(they/them)