Douglas Knutson Author

Douglas Knutson (he, him) PhD, LHSP is an assistant professor in the School of Community Health Sciences, Counseling and Counseling Psychology at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Knutson earned a Masters in Theological Studies in Theology, Philosophy and Ethics at Boston University School of Theology, a Masters of Education in Applied Behavioral Studies with Professional Counseling at Oklahoma City University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology at Oklahoma State University. He serves as director of the Diversity and Rural Advocacy Group (DRAG) a consortium of international researchers and advocates who focus on health and resilience in LGBTQ+ populations.

Dr. Knutson has published 38 peer reviewed articles, book chapters, professional papers, and encyclopedia entries. He has co-authored 74 presentations delivered at international, national, and local conferences and professional meetings. His work has been referenced in news Stateline and in NPR News. He currently serves on the editorial boards of The Counseling Psychologist and Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. Dr. Knutson’s research focuses on the design and development of transgender and nonbinary affirming interventions for rural populations.

Chloe Goldbach (she/her/hers), MS, MA is a White, lesbian, transgender woman and PhD candidate in Counseling Psychology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). She earned a Master of Arts in Psychology from SIUC, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and Master in Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Florida. She organizes community-wide events on transgender and nonbinary issues as an officer of the SIUC Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies organization, serves as an associate researcher of the Diversity and Rural Advocacy Group (DRAG) at Oklahoma State University, teaches courses on LGBTQ+ and workplace diversity issues, leads a YouTube channel on transgender and nonbinary topics, and is an therapist-in-training with a focus on serving LGBTQ+ clients and clients with eating and body image concerns.

Chloe has published 10 peer reviewed articles, encyclopedia entries, and professional papers, all related to issues impacting LGBTQ+ individuals. She has delivered over 40 presentations at international, national, and local conferences, training workshops, and professional meetings. She is currently conducting research on barriers to healthcare access for transgender and non-binary people, experiences of LGBTQ+ people during the COVID-19 pandemic, and centering the voices and experiences of transgender and nonbinary people in the treatment and conceptualization of gender dysphoria. When she has spare time, Chloe enjoys watching horror movies, playing video games, and cuddling with her cat, Tipsy.

Julie M. Koch (she/they), PhD, is Professor of Counseling Psychology in the College of Education at the University of Iowa. She/they has extensive experience with clinical practice with LGBTQ+ rural populations. Dr. Koch is a former high school teacher and school counselor. She/they holds a B.A. in Japanese language and culture from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, a M.Ed. in Educational Psychology-School Counseling from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology-Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Dr. Koch enjoys work with schools and international collaborations. She/they was a Monbusho Scholar at University of Hokkaido and received a Fulbright Specialist Grant to work with the LGBT Centre in Mongolia. In her spare time, she/they enjoys hiking, quilting, and spending time with her/their family.