Sexual and Gender Identity Lab (SGI)

To Further Our Understanding...

SGI Lab Faculty Advisor: Mark A. Yarhouse, Psy.D.

Dr. Yarhouse directs the Sexual and Gender Identity (SGI) Institute and Lab. SGI is both a center of Wheaton College and a research lab for the doctoral programs in clinical psychology. The mission of SGI is, from a Christian worldview, to further our understanding of sexual and gender identity, and the intersection of these identities with religious identity, and to be a resource to students in training and those in the community who are stakeholders in these discussions. We do this through research, training, and consultations.

We conduct original research on sexual or gender identity and faith to help us further our understanding of these complex experiences for individuals, to be a resource to families navigating these experiences; and to be a resource to Christian institutions (e.g., churches, colleges and universities, campgrounds, parachurch ministries, and so on) as they make decisions about these topics and how to best serve others.

Be Part of SGI!

 

Research

• Autism Spectrum Conditions and Transgender Modalities
  SGI collaborates with multiple U.S. clinics to gather de-identified assessment data for those who have ASD and experience gender dysphoria or identify as transgender. Data includes cognitive functioning, intelligence, mood, and personality outcomes.
• SGI+ Project
  This is a study comparing LGBTQ+ students at Christian and state universities, as well as LGBTQ+ students to straight and cisgender students in both settings. Data includes religiosity, well-being, views of campus climate, and so on. 
• MOC & MGIC Study
  Survey and interviews of mixed orientation and mixed gender identity couples. Mixed orientation couples are couples in which one partner is a sexual minority and the other is straight. Mixed gender identity couples are couples in which one partner experiences gender dysphoria or may identify as transgender and the other spouse is cisgender.
• Side B TG Project
  Interviews of Christian transgender persons on what “Side B” means to them, their experience with gender discordance, and their spiritual faith journey. There is greater clarity about the meaning of Side B in the Christian sexual minority conversation; this study examines what Side B means to Christian who experience gender dysphoria or identify as transgender.  
  
  

Gender Evaluations

Doctoral students, beginning year one, are invited to participate in all-day comprehensive Gender Dysphoria evaluations with individuals and families who travel to SGI from all over the country. Gender evaluations include clinical interviews, assessments, integrated reports, and feedback sessions. Students collaborate with Dr. Yarhouse, receive supervision, and support all aspects of the evaluation.

Organizational Consultations

SGI is often involved in one or more organizational consultations throughout the academic school year. These have included businesses, nonprofits, schools, churches, and parachurch organizations. Students who are interested are welcome to be involved in all parts of the consultation, from initial contact to assessment of need to content creation and training. These have included local, national, and even international/global consultations. Such projects allow for hands-on experience learning how to conduct psychological consultations as well as advocating for individuals navigating sexual or gender identity and faith within Christian contexts. For those passionate about bridging the gap between psychology and the Church, as well as advocating for individuals navigating sexual or gender identity and faith, these are unique and richly rewarding opportunities.

Case Staffing

Christian mental health professionals meet with Dr. Yarhouse monthly via Zoom to discuss clinical issues involving sexual or gender identity and Christian faith or to think through issues of integration and the tensions that exist in these important areas of Christian conviction. 

Teaching | Training Opportunities

For those interested in unique teaching experiences, Dr. Yarhouse has been able to invite students to either co-teach/train or guest lecture for a variety of courses, professional workshops, or training events which he is involved in. Such opportunities allow students to develop competencies in specific topics within SGI and learn how to make effective presentations and adapt content to a variety of audiences.

Join Us!

The SGI Lab is committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment for students and researchers who are passionate about studying sexual and gender identity, particularly at the intersection of religious identity. We welcome individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, valuing the unique contributions that each person brings to our community.

We look forward to working together to advance thoughtful and impactful research in this important field.

Go Back to Our Research Listings

SGI Student Profiles

Anna Brose 

Where are you in the program?
I am a 4th year PhD student in Clinical Psychology.

What are you currently working on in SGI?
My dissertation considers anxiety and depression outcomes for those who have autism and identify as transgender. 
 
What do you love most about being part of SGI?
I didn't plan to be a part of SGI when I showed up at Wheaton but I am so glad I tried it out. Dr. Yarhouse excellently models how to love all people and hold difficult tensions well. Secondly, I have loved that SGI offers such a unique and wide variety of research, consultation, and writing experiences. Being a part of this group and research has significantly shaped who I am as a clinician, Christian, and friend for the better. 

Mia Menassa

Where are you in the program?
I am a fourth-year student in the clinical psychology doctorate program (Psy.D.).

What are you currently working on in SGI?
My dissertation is a qualitative analysis exploring the experiences of Lebanese sexual minorities in disclosing their sexual orientation to their family members.

What do you love most about being part of SGI?
SGI has helped me foster my clinical, teaching, and research skills through being involved in comprehensive gender evaluations with Dr. Yarhouse, clinical consultations with SGI fellows around therapy cases, church trainings on sexual and gender identity, and qualitative analysis on multiple projects within the lab in addition to my own dissertation work. I am grateful for the safe space provided in SGI that allows students to explore culturally relevant and sensitive topics from both a psychological and Christian perspective.  

 
David O’Connor 

Where are you in the program?
I am currently a 3rd year PhD Student, and I will begin my last (4th year) in Fall 2025

What are you currently working on in SGI?
Apart from several side projects, I am primarily working on my Qualitative dissertation on Religious Trauma and Sexual and Gender Minorities who have renounced or redefined their religious system.
 
What do you love most about being part of SGI?
The mentorship with Dr. Yarhouse, collaboration with the diverse team of students and fellows, and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful research with SGMs who exist on the margins of society and religion.

Ian Sneller

Where are you in the program?
I am a third-year clinical psychology Ph.D. Student. 

What are you currently working on in SGI?
I am working on my dissertation, which is on the masculine self-discrepancy and well-being. Further, I am finishing up some projects related to celibate gay Christians and assisting on the analysis team for the SGI+ project. Finally, I am assisting others with their dissertations related to mental health of sexual minorities in the Middle East and the impact of disclosure and support on the health of mixed-orientation marriages.

What do you love most about being part of SGI?
I love the community in the lab and the shared care for a population that often gets marginalized in so many spaces. It feels rare to find a group of people so committed to helping sexual and gender minorities, so it is encouraging to be around others with a shared vision. Also, I love that we can make jokes from time to time and be ourselves in lab. 

 
Hannah Hawkins 

Where are you in the program?
I’m a 2nd year Psy.D student. 

What are you currently working on in SGI?
I am currently working on two CQR research teams. One is “Family Disclosure and Secrecy Experiences of Lebanese Sexual Minorities,” and the other is with the SGI+ project analyzing “How Sexual Identity Development and Religious/Spiritual Development are Influencing Each Other.” Additionally, I’m working on my literature review and poster presentation for “Social Care and Support of Side B Transgender Christians.” 

What do you love most about being part of SGI?
I love the camaraderie in the lab, where everyone, an undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral student, conservative or liberal-feels heard and valued. Dr. Yarhouse creates an environment of openness and respect that brings people together, fostering meaningful conversations about sexual and gender minorities. I’ve also especially appreciated the guidance and encouragement from Dr. Yarhouse and the upper-year students during my time at SGI. 

Eli Matthews

Where are you in the program?
I am a first-year PhD student.

What are you currently working on in SGI?
I am working with Anna on the database for gender dysphoria and autism. Additionally, I collaborate with other associates of the lab on papers that aim to understand mixed orientation marriages.

What do you love most about being part of SGI?
I enjoy that the SGI lab is a place where we can have conversations with people from diverse viewpoints as we work together to understand how to help individuals in the LGBT community.

Gabrielle Hildebrand

Where are you in the program?
I am a first-year clinical psychology doctoral student.

What are you currently working on in SGI?
I am working on consensual qualitative research for mixed-orientation marriages with Ruth Fu. 

What do you love most about being part of SGI?
I have really enjoyed the collaborative aspects of the lab. Yarhouse emphasizes working alongside peers and holding conversations where all perspectives are valued and encouraged. I have enjoyed how Dr. Yarhouse brings real-world situations into the lab through inviting guests and discussing current topics of importance.  

Ruth Hueber

Where are you in the program?
I am in the Marriage and Family Therapy program.     

What are you currently working on in SGI?
I am working on resources for Hannah Hawkins's lit review and helping with the Tech for Gender Evaluations.  

What do you love most about being part of SGI?
I love listening to staffing cases and learning how this work affects clinical practice.

 
Will Motzel

Where are you in the program?
I am a first-year MFT student.

What are you currently working on in SGI?
I have been assisting with coordinating and setting up for gender consultations.
 
What do you love most about being part of SGI?
I love learning how high-level research is done and how that can help us in our clinical practice in the space of Gender and Sexuality.

Sarah Taetzsch

Where are you in the program?
I am a first-year clinical mental health counseling student.

What are you currently working on in SGI?
I am working on Family Disclosure and Secrecy Experiences of Lebanese Sexual Minorities with Mia Menassa.

What do you love most about being part of SGI?
I love how Dr. Yarhouse has created a welcoming community that focuses on producing quality research. It is clear that everyone respects and values one another, not only as researchers, but also as unique individuals who reflect the image of God and who deeply care about honoring God through sexuality and gender. I am very grateful that my first research experience is with Dr. Yarhouse.

 
Kara Kessler

Where are you in the program?
I am an undergraduate student who is taking this lab for course credit.

What are you currently working on in SGI?
I am working on Disclosure Among Christian Mixed Orientation Couples with Ruth Fu and recording data from Gender Identity Consultations provided by Dr. Yarhouse.

What do you love most about being part of SGI?
I have appreciated how welcomed I have felt in joining the SGI lab this semester, and I really value this group and the team dynamics. It is clear that this group strives to seek the truth faithfully, and I'm glad I can be a part of it. I have also appreciated getting research experience; I have learned so much throughout this semester.