Katelyn Coburn Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Couple and Family Therapy, Kansas State University
M.S., Marriage and Family Therapy, Valdosta State University
Dr. Katelyn Coburn’s research, teaching, and clinical practice is grounded in intersectional, inclusive, and trauma-informed and trauma-responsive frameworks. Dr. Coburn’s research focuses on improving the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ people and their families, with particular focus on improving nonbinary people’s well-being in their interpersonal, family, and community relationships.
Dr. Coburn is especially interested in understanding how societal enforcement of the gender binary impacts the mental health of transgender and nonbinary people as well as how Euro-colonization and settler colonialism, white supremacy, and the enforcement of the gender binary are intertwined and contribute to the ongoing oppression of marginalized groups. Within these contexts, Dr. Coburn’s program of research focuses on 1) improving LGBTQ+ affirmative and inclusive therapy practices and community interventions/prevention measures 2) intervening in trauma-informed ways in the negative impacts of the gender binary on nonbinary people’s mental health and relationships, and 3) exploring how Christian religious leaders and affirming religious and spiritual communities can serve as inclusive resources in the lives of LGBTQ+ people and their families as well as how Christian religious leaders can use their expertise and positionality to aid in helping therapists and community members develop affirming beliefs about LGBTQ+ people.
Dr. Coburn is passionate about research and working with students on research. Dr. Coburn also loves teaching and training the next generation of systemic therapists and particularly enjoys teaching MFT students how to practice therapy in culturally attuned, trauma-informed, affirmative, and inclusive ways.
Dr. Coburn is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in LGBTQ+ inclusive therapy, gender affirmative care, and the treatment of relational and societal trauma. They have clinical experience working in community clinics (in both rural and urban settings) as well as in private practice. They have advanced training in Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) and in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). Dr. Coburn is a professional member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), the AAMFT Queer and Trans Advocacy Network, and of the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). They are also an AAMFT Approved Supervisor.
In addition to the above, Dr. Coburn loves baking desserts, playing The Legend of Zelda and Animal Crossing on their Nintendo Switch, traveling (and daydreaming about traveling when they’re not), and spending as much time as possible with their spouse and two pups.
For a complete list of publications please visit Dr. Coburn’s Google Scholar page.
Dr. Coburn currently supervises student research in the following program areas:
Areas of Expertise:
LGBTQ+ inclusive therapy
Gender affirmative care
Treatment of relational and societal trauma