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Coltan Schoenike, Ph.D., is a 2025 graduate of the Ph.D. Program in Couple and Family Therapy at Antioch University, New England

Dissertation Committee:

  • Markie L. C. Twist, PhD, Chairperson
  • Kevin P. Lyness, PhD, Committee Member
  • Tina Lee, PhD, Committee Member

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Photo of Dr. Coltan Schoenike with eyeglasses, smiling, and wearing a pink suit against a blurred backgroun

Dr. Coltan Schoenike

Keywords

transgender, gender diverse, couple and family therapy, clinical training, COAMFTE

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

Mental health literature, including in couple and family therapy (CFT), is sparse when it comes to transgender and gender diverse (TGD) topics. This is all the more the case when it is discussing instances where the provider themself is the one who is TGD. Very little literature exists that acknowledges the existence of trans clinicians and often focuses solely on whether their transness should even be disclosed. This study aimed to address this gap and explore the experiences of TGD CFTs, particularly focusing on training experiences in programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). The design of the study was mixed-method, surveying a total of 64 participants with quantitative questions about their experiences in their program and assessing gender minority stress as well as qualitative questions about the stories participants held for themselves as well as heard from their programs about what it means to be a trans therapist. The researcher found that the experiences of TGD students in COAMFTE programs generally tend toward that of minority stress and that microaggressions and discrimination can be common experiences, both of which correlate to a felt hindrance in their ability to learn and engage. It was also found that visibility and representation was important to participants, even though programs were often silent or sparse on TGD content and largely lacked TGD representation in their student body and faculty. It was also found that, for many participants, their TGD identity was deeply meaningful and core to their identity as a therapist. These findings and others in the study start to illustrate the experiences of TGD CFT students in COAMFTE programs and offer insights on how these students can be better supported and served in their training. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

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ORCID iD.:0009-0006-1461-278X

Bio:
Coltan J. Schoenike, MS, LMFT (WI), LAMFT (MN), CST (they/them) is a queer, transfeminine, and nonbinary marriage and family therapist based in unceded Očhéti Šakówiŋ land presently called Menomonie, Wisconsin. In addition to their clinical work, they have research interests in gender-affirming care and experiences of gender diverse clinicians. Coltan is also the Chair of AAMFT's Queer and Trans Advocacy Network.

Publications and Presentations:
Schoenike, C. J. (2023). A wolf in wolf’s clothing: K. J. Zucker and cisgenderist research literature. Bulletin of Applied Transgender Studies, 2(3-4), 222-248. https://doi.org/10.57814/a028-x357

Schoenike, C. J. (2023, October 27). Navigating media literacy & anti-trans misinformation with clients [Workshop]. 2023 Systemic Family Therapy Conference, virtual.

Schoenike, C. J. (2024, June). The role of the activist-therapist in an anti-transgender political climate [Paper Presentation]. Groves Conference on Marriage and Family, Harlem, New York. USA.

Schoenike, C. J. (2025). General considerations. In A. Carrington, A. Iantaffi, M. E. Thomas, & A. Veldorale-Griffin (Eds.), Gender-affirming care: Guidelines for working systemically with transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive clients (pp. 3-6). American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

Schoenike, C. J. (2025). I can’t keep meeting me like this: Society postponing our identities rather than embracing complexity. In A. Iantaffi (Ed.), Trans & Disabled: An Anthology of Identities & Experiences (pp. 52-57). Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Schoenike, C. J. (2025, October 28). Supporting trans students and trainees: Social safety perspectives [Workshop]. 2025 Systemic Family Therapy Conference, virtual.

Schoenike, C. J. & Houdek, F. (2024, November 5). A “how-to” of writing gender-affirming care letters: An opportunity for applied practice [Workshop]. 2024 Systemic Family Therapy Conference, Orlando, Florida, USA.

Schoenike, C. J., Houdek, F., & Iantaffi, A. (2025, March 21). “It’s hard to be what you can’t see”: The power of representation in leadership and mentorship [Workshop]. 2025 AAMFT Leadership Symposium, San Diego, CA, USA.

Schoenike, C., Jurek, M., & Barnett, A. (2016). Transgender discrimination and poverty: Barriers to human rights. NCFR Report: Family Focus. FF69. 14-15

Schoenike, C. J. & Schoenike, D. (2024). Found family: Connection and community as transgender practitioners and researchers [editorial commentary]. Sexual & Relationship Therapy, 39(2), 296-300. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2024.2335688

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