SGI Student Profiles
David O’Connor
Current Status in the Program:
David is now a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in Clinical Psychology and is completing his pre-doctoral internship at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center with the US Navy.
SGI Involvement:
His dissertation focuses on Religious Trauma (RT) among Sexual and Gender Minorities, with the aim of advancing a more clinically grounded understanding of RT.
What he Values About SGI:
David has been part of the SGI since entering the program and is deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn from Dr. Yarhouse, whose mentorship has helped shape both his clinical and scholarly development. He values SGI as a space marked by warmth, viewpoint diversity, thoughtful conviction, respectful dialogue, and genuine enjoyment, and he is especially thankful for the privilege of working alongside and learning from Sexual and Gender Minorities with humility and care.
Ian Sneller
Current Status in the Progrm:
Ian is now a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in Clinical Psychology and is completing his pre-doctoral internship at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
SGI Involvement:
His dissertation examines theories of masculinity and mental health outcomes among sexual minority men. Other current projects include leading the analysis for the Mixed-Orientation/Mixed Gender Identity Project, looking at sexual and gender identity development in college aged sexual and gender minority students, and the experiences of gay men who pursue celibacy.
What he Values About SGI:
SGI is a place where Ian is able to have conversations about difficult topics around sexual and gender identity in a way that seems thoughtful, nuanced, and appreciative of diverse perspectives. SGI is unique in that he has been able to look at the impacts of religiosity on the LGBTQ+ community in ways that may not be thought of in other labs. He is appreciative of the collegial environment with those he works with and feels he is surrounded by others who deeply care about advocating for the needs of the LGBTQ+ community in ways that Christians have often neglected to do.
Hannah Hawkins
Where are you in the program?
I’m a 4th 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 3rd year Ph.D. 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 3rd 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.
Ginger Smith
Where are you in the program?
I am a 2nd year Ph.D., Clinical Psychology student.
What are you interested in working on at SGI?
I am interested in working on projects supporting SGMs and their families as they navigate potential tensions in their faith communities.
What excites you most about joining SGI? I look forward to the community of the lab, collaboration opportunities, and learning how to faithfully serve the body of Christ and all the diversity it entails.
Sammi Green
Where are you in the program?
I am a 2nd year Psy.D. student.
What are you interested in working on at SGI?
I am interested in working with the MOC and MGIC Study and the SGI+ project. I am also interested in working with individuals struggling with their sexual and gender identity.
What excites you most about joining SGI? I love the collaborative aspect of the lab and learning how to best support the LGBTQ+ community and those struggling with identity and spirituality.
Gabe Pfeiffer
Where are you in the program?
I am a first year Ph.D. student.
What are you interested in working on at SGI?
I am interested in researching relationships, identities, and meaning-making that contribute to improving relationships with individuals in their partnerships and communities.
What excites you most about joining SGI?
What most excites me about joining SGI is working alongside others in the lab who are also passionate about helping people through the vulnerable and important process of better understanding their sexual, gendered, and spiritual identities and how they can integrate all parts of themselves into a congruent whole.
Sarah De Almeida Santana
![]()
Where are you in the program?
I am a 2nd year Clinical Mental Health Counseling student.
What are you interested in working on at SGI?
I am interested in honing my research skills through SGI and making connections along the way.
What excites you most about joining SGI?
I am most excited about the variety of experiences of those who are connected with SGI, and being open to learning new things that I may not have learned in a classroom setting.
Kara Kessler
Where are you in the program?
I am an undergraduate student who is taking this lab for course credit.
What are 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.
SGI Alumni: Featured Profiles
Anna Brose
Current Status:
Anna is finishing her pre-doctoral internship at McLaren Health, where she is receiving specialized training in health psychology. Following internship, she will begin her fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital, focusing on oncology and transplant psychology.
SGI Involvement:
Anna’s involvement with SGI has included a wide range of research, publications, and clinical consultations. Through these experiences, she has developed her leadership skills and cultivated what she describes as a commitment to intellectual hospitality.
What She Values About SGI:
Anna credits SGI with significantly contributing to both her professional and personal growth as a Christian psychologist. Through exposure to literature, research, and thoughtful discussions surrounding historically difficult issues for the Church, SGI has helped her develop the skills and perspective needed to engage these topics with both intellectual curiosity and Christian conviction. She encourages anyone coming to Wheaton to consider becoming involved with SGI, regardless of whether their career goals specifically involve working with sexual or gender minorities.
Areas of Focus and Future Growth:
Anna looks forward to continuing her training in oncology and transplant psychology through her fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital. She is grateful for the opportunities SGI provided throughout her time at Wheaton and reflects that she was surprised to find herself at SGI, but is “ever grateful to God that she did.”
Mia Menassa
Current Status:
Mia is completing her postdoctoral training at Kennedy Krieger Institute affiliated with Johns Hopkins University, where she will receive specialized training in family therapy while serving a diverse community in the Baltimore area.
SGI Involvement:
Her work in SGI included a qualitative dissertation, which she recently successfully defended, analyzing the experiences of Lebanese sexual minorities as they navigate the process of disclosing their sexual orientation to family members.
What She Values About SGI:
Mia credits SGI with significantly contributing to the development of her clinical, teaching, and research skills. Her involvement has included conducting comprehensive gender evaluations with Dr. Yarhouse, participating in clinical consultations with SGI fellows, facilitating church trainings on sexual and gender identity, and engaging in multiple qualitative research projects. She especially values the supportive environment SGI provides - one that encourages exploration of culturally sensitive topics through both psychological and Christian lenses.
Areas of Focus and Future Growth:
Mia is especially interested in pursuing work with families and strengthening familial relationships, including supporting families navigating issues related to gender and sexuality. She is excited to continue developing her expertise in family therapy while also growing her teaching and supervisory skills.
Ruth Hueber
Current Status:
Ruth is a full-time therapist at Thamani Counseling Services.
SGI Involvement:
Through her involvement with SGI, Ruth has developed clinical skills that have been particularly valuable in working with couples and families. One approach she has found especially helpful is multidirectional partiality, which allows her to work with couples or families when each person is approaching an issue from different perspectives, values, or experiences.
What She Values About SGI:
Ruth values the opportunity SGI has provided to deepen her understanding of sexuality and relationships while developing skills for navigating complex clinical situations. Her experiences with SGI have helped her become more attentive to the different perspectives and values that individuals bring into their relationships and family systems.
Areas of Focus and Future Growth:
Ruth’s clinical areas of focus include couples, women’s anger and self-esteem, sexuality, and sexual addiction. She is excited to continue growing.
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.