About The Sexual and Gender Identity Institute

The foundational research that shapes SGI today began in 1998 when Dr. Yarhouse began conducting research at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. That research lab formally became an institute (referred to as the Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity) in 2004. That institute was renamed when it transitioned to Wheaton College in 2019 (The Sexual & Gender Identity Institute or SGI).

Mark A. Yarhouse, Psy.D.

Mark A. Yarhouse, Psy.D., is  the Dr. Arthur P. and Mrs. Jean May Rech Chair in Psychology at Wheaton College.  Dr. Yarhouse has spent several years promoting dialogue between people who view the topic of sexual identity differently. In 2000, he chaired a groundbreaking symposium at the American Psychological Association’s annual convention that brought together gay psychologists and Christian psychologists to discuss common ground in treatment options for those who experience sexual and religious identity conflicts. He chaired similar dialogues at the APA on the many meanings of marriage (among different religions and among various groups within the gay community), services for adolescents experiencing sexual identity concerns, and an approach to services referred to as the sexual identity therapy.

Dr. Yarhouse is the past recipient of the Gary R. Collins Award for Excellence in Christian Counseling (American Association of Christian Counselors) and the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence at Regent University. He was a past participant with the Ethics and Public Policy Center think tank in Washington, DC, and he was named Senior Fellow with the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities to conduct a study of students navigating sexual identity concerns at Christian colleges and universities. He has been a consultant to the National Institute of Corrections to address issues facing sexual minorities in corrections, and he was part of a consensus panel from the American Psychological Association on sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts that convened to provide input to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in Washington, DC. Dr. Yarhouse is currently the Chair of the task force on LGBT issues for Division 36 (Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) of the American Psychological Association. He was also invited to write the featured white paper on sexual identity for the Christ on Campus Initiative edited by Don A. Carson for The Gospel Coalition.

Dr. Yarhouse has published over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and is author or co-author of several books, including Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture and Emerging Gender Identities: Understanding the Diverse Experiences of Today’s Youth. His most recent book is When Children Come Out: A Guide for Christian Parents.

Dr. Olya Zaporozhets

Dr. Olya Zaporozhets is an associate professor in the School of Psychology & Counseling at Regent University. An expert in methodology and statistics, Dr. Zaporozhets spearheads the analysis of qualitative data from 200 interviews of Christian patents whose children came out as LGBTQ, which led to several dissertations and national conference presentations. She has also completed analysis of data from 300 celibate gay Christian that is featured in the book, Costly Obedience (Zondervan).

Dr. Janet Dean

Dr. Janet Dean is associate professor of psychology at Asbury University. She has been a research co-investigator for over ten years working on both the Christian Sexual Identity Project, which is a study of Christian sexual minorities at Christian colleges featured in the book, Listening to Sexual Minorities (InterVarsity Press Academic), and the Christian Gender Identity Project, which is a study of students navigating gender identity and faith on Christian college campuses. She has spearheaded the quantitative analyses for both projects.

Dr. Stephen P. Stratton

Dr. Stephen P. Stratton is professor of counseling and pastoral care at Asbury Seminary. He has been a research co-investigator for a line of research for the past 10+ years on the experiences of sexual minorities at Christian colleges and universities referred to as the Christian Sexual Identity Project. That research was featured in the book, Listening to Sexual Minorities (InterVarsity Press Academic). Dr. Stratton is also co-investigator for the Christian Gender Identity Project, which is a study of students navigating gender identity and faith on Christian college campuses. He has spearheaded the qualitative analysis for both projects.

Dr. Julia Sadusky

Dr. Sadusky is an author, speaker, and licensed psychologist. She owns Lux Counseling and Consulting in Littleton, CO., where she offers individual, family, and couples therapy in addition to consultations for individuals and families around sexuality and gender. She also serves as a ministry educator, offering trainings and consultations to counseling centers and faith-based institutions on sexuality, gender identity, mental health, trauma-informed care, and the intersection of sexuality, gender, and theology. Other areas of focus include work with those experiencing complex trauma and eating disorders.

Dr. Sadusky’s most recent books are Start Talking to Your Kids About Sex: A Practical Guide for Catholics and Talking with Your Teen About Sex: A Practical Guide for Catholics (Ave Maria Press). Dr. Sadusky has coauthored two other books, including Emerging Gender Identities: Understanding the Diverse Experiences of Today's Youth (Brazos Press) and Gender Identity & Faith: Clinical Postures, Tools and Case Studies for Client-Centered Care (Intervarsity Press) with Mark Yarhouse, PsyD., and contributed to a four views book titled, Understanding Transgender Identities: 4 Views (Baker Academic).

Jeffrey L. Reed

Jeffrey L. Reed is a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Applied Human Sciences at Eastern Kentucky University. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Asbury Theological Seminary, a PhD in Family Sciences from the University of Kentucky, and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Kentucky. He has been involved with the qualitative research team for six years, working on both the Christian Sexual Identity Project and the Christian Gender Identity Project, and has contributed to the dissemination of this work through publications and presentations.

 

Christina Claudia 

Christina Claudia is a marriage and family therapist and lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Pelita Harapan, Indonesia. She received a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Wheaton College, where she also first became involved with the clinical consultations and research in the Sexual and Gender Identity Institute. Since 2021, she has been contributed to the qualitative research work investigating the marital satisfaction of mixed orientation marriages and the sexual identity development and well-being of celibate gay Christians.