About the LGBTQ Center
In Service of Connection
Our Mission
Promoting the dignity and wellbeing of queer people in Iowa
Grounding Values
Reclamation, connection, community
Our Vision
Queer services by queer providers
Services
The LGBTQ Relationship Center of Iowa provides:
- Peer consultation for mental health providers
- Supervision for therapists in training interested in specializing in work with the LGBTQ community
- Psychotherapy services for individuals, couples/polyamorous partnerships, families, and groups (in-person, telehealth, and walk-and-talk outdoor therapy)
- Consultations with area businesses, organizations, and schools
- Community presentations and education
Therapy Groups Currently Offered at the Center:
Nonbinary Identity:
This is a 6-week closed support group for nonbinary individuals. Unique systemic stressors and lived experiences of nonbinary individuals are the focus of this experiential and psychoeducational group work. Intersectional experiences, psychoeducation, resources, and addressing disordered eating as a part of gender expression will be explored. Curriculum is informed by grounded theory work of nonbinary scholar, Dr. Mar Chung, PhD. Participants will gain information, insight, increased sense of community, and valuable coping skills. This group is co-facilitated by queer-identifying therapists, one of whom is nonbinary.
Healing from Queer Religious Trauma:
This is an 8-week closed psychotherapy group for LGBTQ adults (18+) struggling with religious trauma and shame. Survivors of conversion therapy (or other institutional 'reorientation' efforts) will find this group beneficial. The group is facilitated by a queer-identifying therapist and will utilize existential and experiential approaches. Participants will gain information, insight, increased sense of community with other survivors, and valuable coping skills. All faith experiences are welcome-- this group is not exclusive to Abrahamic religions or Evangelical trauma. Curriculum is informed by the qualitative research of queer scholar and religious trauma survivor, Dr. Kait Hutson, PhD, LMFT.
Trans in Relationship:
This is a 6-week closed support group for partners in which one partner is experiencing transition. This group is co-facilitated by LGBTQ-identifying psychotherapists. The group is experiential, psychoeducational, and emotionally-focused in orientation. Participants will gain valuable relational skills, communication strategies, information, and resources.
Contact
Please email contact@lgbtqrelationshipcenterofiowa.com in order to reach the LGBTQ Relationship Center.
Meet the Founder:
Dr. Kait Hutson, PhD, LMFT (she/her)
Kait is a passionate and creative psychotherapist with extensive training in understanding relational systems. She is known for her warmth, sense of humor, and integrative artistry. She specializes in work with LGBTQ individuals, relationships, and family systems. She has expertise working with queer and trans survivors of religious trauma, institutional change efforts, shame, and spiritual violence. Her academic research on this topic informs and enhances her work.
Kait is a Clinical Fellow of AAMFT, an AAMFT Approved Supervisor Candidate, and a member of AAMFT's Queer and Trans Advocacy Network. She additionally holds associate membership with the NASW. As a supervisor, her approach is postmodern, collaborative, and focused on self-of-the-therapist development. She offers supervision informed by queer philosophy to LGBTQ developing clinicians.
She primarily utilizes experiential, language-collaborative, existential, and narrative modalities in practice. Attachment theory informs the lens through which Kait views therapy process. She holds a PhD in MFT with a concentration in neuroscience and psychophysiology. Kait is an adjunct professor at Mount Mercy University teaching graduate MFT students. She has trained with Nora Bateson at the International Bateson Institute and is a certified Warm Data Lab Host.
Her approach to therapy is anchored in respect for the human spirit’s incredible capacity for resilience-- and in honoring the dignity of the clients she works with. As a therapist with advanced education in systems theory, she believes in the transformative power of relationship. She is committed to cultivating a collaborative, co-creative therapeutic atmosphere of genuine acceptance and mutual respect.
You can learn more about Kait and her approach to therapy here.
Meet Lindsey Piper, LISW (they/them)
Lindsey is an Iowa native, UIowa alum, licensed independent social worker, and practicing psychotherapist. Their clinical work primarily focuses on individuals and couples. Lindsey's specializations include complex trauma, self-harm, and the LGBTQ+ community. Lindsey has advanced training and expertise in trauma-informed modalities. They are skilled in using EMDR, Brainspotting, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness approaches for the treatment of trauma in practice. They are passionate about advocacy for the LGBTQ+ population within the field of mental health, and about education for clinicians regarding the strengths and unique challenges of this community.
Lindsey has extensive experience working in the nonprofit sector. They have worked and collaborated with several Iowa nonprofits during their career including CommUnity Crisis Services, Horizons Family Service Alliance, and Riverview Center. They have additionally worked with United Action for Youth and organized the first Iowa Summit for LGBTQ Youth and Families in 2015. With a strong background and experience base in crisis intervention and trauma-informed care, Lindsey understands the importance of meeting clients exactly where they are. Their therapeutic style centers on non-judgment. Lindsey has years of experience working with queer and trans survivors of sexual violence. They actively prioritize addressing the systemic traumas LGBTQ clients endure both in our state of Iowa and in larger American society.
Currently, Lindsey serves as secretary on the Board of Directors for Lavender Legal Center, a nonprofit providing direct representation, advocacy, and referrals for LGBTQ Iowans, with a priority for serving those with low income and our LGBTQ youth.
You can learn more about Lindsey and their approach to therapy here.