About the Course
The transference/countertransference dynamics between the therapist and the client are complex. The unique experiences lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or nonbinary, queer, intersex, or asexual (LGBTQIA+) clients have surrounding gender and sexuality can add additional layers of complexity to therapeutic dynamics. This is true regardless of whether their therapist is LGBTQIA+ or endocishet (someone who is endosex, cisgender, and heterosexual). Many therapists will classify both transference and countertransference as "positive" (i.e. respect, admiration, etc.) or "negative" (hostility, aggression, hatred, etc.) to reflect whether the feelings are comfortable or wanted. However, this viewpoint is far too limiting as it splits the transference/countertransference dynamics into "good" or "bad" rather than addressing the natural and potentially useful complexity that they can bring to the therapeutic relationship. Erotic transference is often put into the “negative” category as many therapists are uncomfortable with addressing it with clients. Both “positive” and “negative” transference/countertransference, as well as erotic transference, have potential to either deepen the treatment or destroy it.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to: 1. Describe how erotic transference with an LGBTQIA+ client can be a reenactment of homophobia/biphobia from parental rejection 2. Describe 2 common transference reactions that LGBTQIA+ clients can have with endcishet therapists 3. Describe 2 common transference reactions that LGBTQIA+ clients can have with LGBTQIA+ therapists 4. Describe 2 common countertransference reactions therapists can have with LGBTQIA+ clients 5. Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the themes of the course through discussion of clinical case material.
Don't just take it from us!
Previous versions of this course were taught at The Affirmativ Couch in 2022, 2024, and 2025. Here’s what participants had to say about the course:
“This was so informative and had rich clinical implication! Cadyn provided so many excellent clinical examples and metaphors that were very illustrative and digestible”
2022
“I wish I'd had more of this in grad school. This made psychodynamics and object relations so much more accessible to me. I became disinterested in psychoanalytic therapy because, based on experiences with professors, I thought psychoanalytic work was inherently homophobic and I struggled to sort out what was helpful and what was not. I wish I'd had more of this and am glad to have found this resource now. ALSO this presentation of psychoanalytic therapy felt humble and respectful. I often experienced my professors as asserting that they knew me, other students, and their clients better than we all each knew ourselves. These experiences left me worried that psychoanalytic therapy often put the therapist in a position of too much power and could be hurtful (which I still think can be the case), but this training has left me with more imagination of how to play with psychodynamic theory."
2022
“This was helpful as a cis-gendered therapist in being able to recognize transference and countertransferences with working with LBGTQIA+ folx that I have previously been unable to recognize or work with in a therapeutic way.”
2022
Your Presenter
Cadyn Cathers, PsyD, MBA (he/him/his) has been teaching courses on human sexuality, psychotherapy with LGBTQIA+ communities, and psychodynamic theory for over 10 years, and served as teaching faculty at Antioch University Los Angeles in the LGBT Specialization. He was the founder and CEO of The Affirmative Couch, which provided online continuing education on clinical work with LGBTQIA+, CNM, and kink communities. He is a licensed psychologist in private practice at the Out Couch Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, P.C., where he focuses on psychoanalytic psychotherapy with transgender and nonbinary patients.
Additional Information
Instruction Level This course is meant for an intermediate to advanced audience. Who should Attend Psychologists, counselors, and marriage and family therapists and social workers. Format Live, virtual six hour presentation with the opportunity for interaction with the presenter. This course will not be available as a recorded homestudy. Zoom Link You will receive the link to register for your Zoom link after signing up for the course. Completion Requirements To get CE credit you must complete the entire webinar and complete the post test with at least 75% Financial Support Out Couch Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, PC pays course presenters for their teaching. There is no other financial support for this course. Conflict of Interest There is no reported conflict of interest or outside commercial support for this course. Contact Information For any inquiries related to subject matter, problem resolution, corrections, grievances, or anything else, please contact us. Accommodations We will work to accommodate reasonable accommodations requests. Requests can be made through our customer service link on the main page.
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Out Couch Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, P.C. is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Out Couch Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, P.C. maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
What You'll Learn
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Zoom Registration
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Course Abstract
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Learning Objectives
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About Your Presenter
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Post Course Survey
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What Participants Say
This workshop creates a brave space to explore the dynamics that matter most. Therapists leave with new frameworks, deeper self-awareness, and practical tools they can use immediately in their clinical work.
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Las Vegas, NV
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Working mom
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Amateur photographer
Text-only testimonials are quick to scan and can highlight the value of your product at a glance.
Las Vegas, NV
The combination of text and imagery make the testimonial feel more personal and credible.
Working mom
Finally, a handbook that makes photography feel simple! It covers everything from camera settings to post-processing in a way that actually makes sense.
Amateur photographer
Join Dr. Cadyn Cathers for This Transformative Workshop
January 8, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM Pacific | 6 CE Hours | $159 This is a full-day, in-person learning experience designed for therapists who want to deepen their clinical expertise and confidence. Limited to participants who are ready to engage authentically with case material and peer discussion. This workshop will not be recorded due to the intimate nature of the discussion—your vulnerability and presence matter.
$159.00