About Me
My curiosity surrounding gender and its complex expressions began as an undergraduate when I minored in Gender Studies. Later, while pursuing a doctorate in Clinical Psychology, I earned a certificate in Women's Studies. By the time I wrote my dissertation on the benefits of wilderness therapy for adolescent girls, I was already deeply committed to trying to understand how young people come to feel the way they do about their bodies. I am, by temperament, someone who reads and critically analyzes the research. It's part of why psychology suits me.
My first job out of school was at Boston Children's Hospital where I spent part of my time working in a pediatric obesity program. Despite the medical consensus at the time to focus treatment on weight loss, I believed that if we could help kids feel better about themselves and their bodies, they would take better care of them. Shame, it seemed to me, was not the answer. This was the first time I found myself making the case for a more nuanced position within a system that wasn't designed for it.
When the hospital decided to open a gender program, I was hired as the lead psychologist. Hardly anyone was talking about gender dysphoria at the time, especially in children and adolescents, and there were few established protocols for supporting people through a transition. I was sent to the Netherlands to train with the clinicians who were pioneers in pediatric gender medicine, and the Boston program became the first of its kind in the United States.
There was pushback from the start and we spent much of the early years explaining why these young people deserved care at all. We were especially diligent about developing assessment guidelines to ensure we were providing the most comprehensive care possible. The protocols we refined continue to be used by clinicians around the country and I have spent years training others on how to use them with sensitivity and care.
Over the years, what young people bring to me has changed. Many now arrive having found language for their distress online, in the middle of a heated public argument about them, under pressure from several directions at once—and often with far less time to sort through any of it than the young people I saw at the beginning of my career. These are significant decisions in a young person's life, and they deserve the time and care necessary to get them right. Despite the growing controversy, I have continued this work because I have seen how it can help young people when approached carefully.
I taught in Pacific University's graduate psychology program for 9 years, where I trained graduate students to work with gender-distressed young people and their families. Since 2021, I’ve been in private practice full time. I now work virtually from my wooded property in rural Ohio.
The thing I care most about outside of work is my family and being a mother, which is partly why I am so committed to helping my younger clients and their parents repair or strengthen their relationship and improve communication. I believe that most parents deeply and unconditionally love their children, and that children have the best chance of thriving if the parent-child relationship is healthy.
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Postdoctoral Internship, Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 2004-2005
Pre-doctoral Internship, Montana State University, Bozeman & Crow/Northern Cheyenne Hospital, Crow Agency, Montana, 2003-2004
PhD in Clinical Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, 2004
Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies, Bowling Green State University, Ohio, 2003
BA, Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Oregon, 1997 (Major: Psychology; Minor: Gender Studies)
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[2021 – Present] Professor Emerita, School of Graduate Psychology, Pacific University, Hillsboro, Oregon.
[2012 – 2021] Associate Professor, School of Graduate Psychology, Pacific University, Hillsboro, Oregon.
[2014 – 2020] Psychologist, Randall Children’s Hospital Transgender Clinic, Portland, Oregon.
[2011 – 2012] Staff Psychologist, Seattle Children’s Hospital.
[2007 – 2011] Staff Psychologist and founding member of the Gender Management Service (GeMS), Boston Children’s Hospital.
[2005 – 2011] Staff Psychologist, Children’s Hospital Primary Care Center, Boston Children’s Hospital.
[2005 – 2011] Instructor in Psychology, Harvard Medical School.
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Member of the American Psychological Association (APA) – Divisions 44 (Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity), 54 (Pediatric Psychology), and 53 (Child and Adolescent Psychology).
World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH), Past Chair of Child/Adolescent Committee.
World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH), member of Standards of Care (SOC) 8 committee that revised the Child and the Adolescent chapters.
Member of the American Psychological Association (APA) Task Force which developed guidelines for working with transgender individuals.
Member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) committee that created a consensus statement regarding the harmful practice of conversion therapy for gender and sexual minority youth.
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Cardona, N. D., Nauphal, M., Pariseau, E. M., Clapham, R., Edwards-Leeper, L., & Tishelman, A. C. (2023). Social supports, social stressors, and psychosocial functioning in a sample of transgender youth seeking gender-affirming clinical services. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 12 (2), 241-250. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000659
Strang, J. F., McClellan, L. S., Raaijmakers, D., Caplan, R., Klomp, S. E., Reutter, M., Lai, M-C., Song, M., Gratton, F. V., Dale, L. K., Schutte, A., de Vries, A. L. C., Gardiner, F., Edwards-Leeper, L., Minnaard, A. L., Eleveld, N. L., Corbin, e., Purkis, Y., Lawson, … van der Miesen, A. I. R. (2023). The gender-diversity and autism questionnaire: A community-developed clinical, research, and self-advocacy toll for autistic transgender and gender diverse young adults. Autism in Adulthood, 5 (2), 175-190.
Coleman, E., Radix, A. E., Bouman, W. P., Brown, G. R., de Vries, A. L. C., Deutsch, M. B., Ettner, R., Fraser, L., Goodman, M., Green, J., Hancock, A. B., Johnson, T. W., Karasic, D. H., Knudson, G. A., Leibowitz, S. F., Meyer-Bahlburg, H. F. L., Monstrey, S. J., Motmans, J., Nahata, L., … (Edwards-Leeper, L.), … Arcelus, J. (2022). Standards of care for the health of transgender and gender diverse people, version 8. International Journal of Transgender Health, 23 (S1-S259).
Christian-Brandt, A. S., Philpott, J., & Edwards-Leeper, L. (2021). "Quiero Soy Un Niño!”: Family-based treatment of a Mexican-American child with gender dysphoria and disruptive behaviors. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 9 (2), 203-208.
Chen, D., Tishelman, A., Edwards-Leeper, L. & Stancin, T. (2019). Introduction: Advancing the practice of pediatric psychology with transgender youth. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 7 (3), 211-216.
Pariseau, E., Chevalier, L., Long, K., Clapman, R., Edwards-Leeper, L. & Tishelman, A. (2019). The relationship between family acceptance-rejection and transgender youth psychosocial functioning. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology 7 (3), 267-277.
Spivey, L. A. & Edwards-Leeper, L. (2019). Future directions in affirmative psychological interventions with transgender children and adolescents. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 48 (2), 343-356.
Berg, D. & Edwards-Leeper, L. (2018). Child and family assessment. In Keo-Meier, C. & Ehrensaft, D. (Eds.), The Gender Affirmative Model: A New Approach to Supporting Gender Expansive and Transgender Children (pp. 101-124). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.
Chen, D., Edwards-Leeper, L., Stancin, T. & Tishelman, A.C. (2018). Advancing the practice of pediatric psychology with transgender youth: State of the science, ongoing controversies, and future directions. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology 6 (1), 73-83.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2018) Anxiety and Gender Dysphoria. In Janssen, A. & Leibowitz, S. (Eds.), Affirmative Mental Health Care for Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth (pp.129-143). Springer.
Strang, J. F., Janssen, A., Tishelman, A., Leibowitz, S. F., Kenworthy, L., McGuire, J., Edwards-Leeper, L., … Anthony, L. G. (2018). Revisiting the link: Evidence of the rates of autism in studies of gender diverse individuals. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 57 (11), 885-887.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2017). Childhood gender nonconformity. In Wenzel, A. (Ed.), The Sage Encyclopedia of Abnormal and Clinical Psychology.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2017). Affirmative care of TGNC children and adolescents. In Singh, A. A. & dickey, l. m. (Eds.), Affirmative Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Clients (pp.119-141). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.
Edwards-Leeper, L., Feldman, H. A., Lash, B. R., Shumer, D. E., & Tishelman, A. C. (2017). Psychological profile of the first sample of transgender youth presenting for medical intervention in a U.S. pediatric medical center. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity 4 (3), 374-382.
Edwards-Leeper, L. & Smith, A. (2017). Gender identity in childhood. In Nadal, K. (Ed.), The SAGE Encyclopedia of Psychology and Gender.
Edwards-Leeper, L., Leibowitz, S., Sangganjanavanich, V.F. (2016). Affirmative practice with transgender and gender non-conforming youth: Expanding the model. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity 3 (2), 165-172.
Shumer, D. E., Reisner, S. L., Edwards-Leeper, L., & Tishelman, A. (2016). Evaluation of Asperger syndrome in youth presenting to a gender dysphoria clinic. LGBT Health, 1 (1),63-68.
Strang, J. F., Meagher, H., Kenworthy, L, de Vries, A. L. C., Menvielle, E., Leibowitz, S., … Edwards-Leeper, L., … Anthony, L. G. (2016). Initial clinical guidelines for co-occurring autism spectrum disorder and gender dysphoria or incongruence in adolescents. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, Advance online publication. doi:10.1080/15374416.2016.1228462
American Psychological Association. (2015). Guidelines for psychological practice with transgender and gender nonconforming people. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from: http://www.apa.org/practice/guidelines/transgender.pdf (I was a member of the taskforce that created these guidelines).
Tishelman, A.C., Kaufman, R., Edwards-Leeper, L., Mandel, F.H., Shumer, D.E. & Spack, N.P. (2015). Serving transgender youth: Clinical practices, challenges, and dilemmas. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 46 (1), 35-56.
Edwards-Leeper, L. & Spack, N.P. (2012). Psychological evaluation and medical treatment of transgender youth in an interdisciplinary “Gender Management Service” (GeMS) in a major pediatric center. Journal of Homosexuality, 59 (3), 321-336.
Spack, N. P., Edwards-Leeper, L., Feldman, H.A., Leibowitz, S., Mandel, F., Diamond, D.A., Vance, S.R. (2012). Children and adolescents with gender identity disorder referred to a pediatric medical center. Pediatrics, 129 (3), 418-425.
Edwards-Leeper, L. & Spack, N.P. (2011). Gender identity disorder. In Augustyn, M., Zuckerman, B., & Caronna, E.B. (Eds.), The Zuckerman Parker Handbook of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics for Primary Care (3rd edition, pp. 229-233). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health / Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Spack, N. P. & Edwards-Leeper, L. (2011). Medical treatment of the transgender adolescent. In Fisher, M., Alderman, E., Kreipe, R., & Rosenfeld W. (Eds.), Textbook of Adolescent Health Care (1st edition, pp. 446-452). American Academy of Pediatrics.
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Chen, D., Edwards-Leeper, L., Stancin, T., & Tishelman, A. (2017, August). Ethical dilemmas in pediatric transgender health care. Workshop presentation at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association (APA), Washington, DC. [CE Credits Given]
Chen, D., Stancin, T., Edwards-Leeper, L., & Tishelman, A. (2017, March). Ethical considerations in transgender health care. Pre-conference workshop presented at the Society of Pediatric Psychology Annual Conference (SPPAC). Portland, Oregon. [CE Credits Given]
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2023, September). Providing Balanced, Affirmative-Exploratory Care with Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth. 2-Day Training for Orchard Place. Des Moines, Iowa.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2023, June). Assessment of a Child or Young Person who Present with Gender Distress. Invited presentation. Psychotherapeutic Processes with Young People Experiencing Gender Dysphoria (conference). Tampere, Finland.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2023, April). Supporting the Mental Health of Transgender & Gender Diverse Youth Through Therapy and Assessment. 2-Day Training for Marshfield Clinic Health System, Psychiatry & Behavioral health Conference. Marshfield, Wisconsin.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2023, April). Treatment Needs and Approaches for Gender Diverse Youth. 2-Day Training for Central Behavioral Health Consortium, East Cascade Works. Bend, Oregon.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2022, October). Working with gender dysphoric youth presenting with autism characteristics. Invited presentation. 17th Annual Thompson Center Autism Conference. St. Charles, Missouri.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2022, February). Collaborative, Comprehensive & Developmentally-Informed Assessment for Gender Dysphoric Adolescents. 1-Day Training for Wheaton College professional mental health peer consultation group. Wheaton, Illinois. (Training offered virtually).
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2019, October). Complex Cases and Challenges. Invited Keynote Presentation. 12th Annual Glickman Family Center Symposium. Portland, Maine.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2019, September). Gender identity development and dysphoria in children and adolescents. Invited symposium presentation. Pediatric Urology Fall Congress. Scottsdale, Arizona.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2019, May). Affirmative mental health care for transgender and gender diverse youth. 2-Day Training for Ochsner Baptist Medical Center. New Orleans, Louisiana.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2019, February). Gender dysphoria and nonconformity in the pre-pubertal child: Understanding clinical issues and gender development. Presented as part of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Global Education Initiative (GEI) faculty. Edmonton, Alberta Canada.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2019, February). Mental health and hormonal treatment in adolescents. Presented as part of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Global Education Initiative (GEI) faculty. Edmonton, Alberta Canada.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2019, February). Deconstructing the assessment approach for gender diverse and transgender adolescents. Presented as part of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Global Education Initiative (GEI) faculty. Edmonton, Alberta Canada.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2019, January; 2018, May; 2017, November; 2016, September; 2016, January; 2015, September). Balanced affirmative health care for transgender and gender non-conforming youth. 2-Day Training, sponsored by Oregon Health & Sciences University. Portland, Oregon.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2018, November). Supporting gender diverse children: A Clinician’s Perspective. Invited talk given at the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Conference. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2018, October). The psychological developmentally-informed assessment for gender dysphoric youth: rationale for a comprehensive approach. Invited talk given at the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) as part of an all-day Institute. Seattle, Washington.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2018, April & May). Effective practice with transgender youth. (2-day training) for Multnomah County. Portland, Oregon.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2018, April). Gender identity and its effect on mental health: What medical and school professionals need to know! (2-day training) for Marshfield Clinic 2018 Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Conference. Marshfield, Wisconsin.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2017, October). Gender Diverse Youth: Incorporating Mental Health Services for Optimal Care. Invited talk given at the 14th Annual Great Plains Pediatric Endocrine Symposium. Kansas City, Missouri.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2017, September). Gender Diverse Youth: Common Struggles, Current Controversies, and Complex Cases. Invited talk given at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Chicago, Illinois.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2017, June). Balanced affirmative health care for transgender and gender non-conforming youth. 2-Day Training for Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2017, February; 2017, March). Balanced affirmative health care for transgender and gender non-conforming youth. 2-Day Training for Western Psychological Association, Happy Valley, Oregon.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2016, November). Gender dysphoric adolescents: Integrating mental health in the assessment and treatment. Invited presentation at the Indiana University School of Medicine, Section of Pediatric Endocrinology Grand Rounds. Indianapolis, Indiana.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2016, October). Working with transgender youth. Howard Brown Health Center. Chicago, Illinois.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2015, October). Transgender and gender-nonconforming adolescents: Assessment protocol and complex cases. Howard Brown Health Center. Chicago, Illinois.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2015, January). Digging Deeper: Advanced Training for Working with Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Youth. Dallas, Texas.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2015, January). Working with Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Youth: An Affirmative Approach to Mental Health Involvement. Dallas, Texas.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2015, January). Working with transgender youth: The mental health component. Pediatric Endocrinologists of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas (PESTOLA) Conference. Dallas, Texas.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2014, May). PES open forum on transgender care: Psychometric evaluation. Pediatric Endocrine Society (PES) Annual Meeting. Vancouver, British Columbia.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2012, May). Evaluating Transgender Adolescents for Possible Medical Intervention in an Interdisciplinary Clinic. 2-Day Invited Workshop at Boston Children’s Hospital. Boston, Massachussetts.
Edwards-Leeper, L. (2012, March). Interdisciplinary collaboration with psychologists in providing recommended treatment for transgender adolescents seeking medical intervention. Pediatric Endocrinology Association for Research and Learning (PEARL), Tacoma, Washington.
Edwards-Leeper, L., Selva, K., Tishelman, A., Smith, A., Jones, A., Evans, T., Friend, K., Haugen, K., Griffin, A., & Green, A. (2017, March). Comprehensive, collaborative, and integrative care for transgender adolescents. Symposia presented at the Society of Pediatric Psychology Annual Convention (SPPAC). Portland, Oregon.
Edwards-Leeper, L., Smith, A., & Davis, S. (2016, June). Interdisciplinary treatment of transgender adolescents: The importance of mental health involvement from the perspective of medical providers. Poster presented at the meeting of the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH) Conference, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Edwards-Leeper, L., Smith, A., Sharifan, T., Freitas, J., Ahlf, K., & Newton, K. (2017, January). Training the next generation of clinical psychologists to provide affirmative care to transgender and gender non-conforming youth. Symposium presented at the National Multicultural Conference and Summit (NMCS). Portland, Oregon.
Leibowitz, S., Edwards-Leeper, L., Janssen, A., & Sharon, N. (2017, February). How much is too much? Assessments & the affirmative approach to TGNC youth.Symposium presented at the U.S. Professional Association of Transgender Health (USPATH) Conference. Los Angeles, California.
Tishelman, A., Edwards-Leeper, L., & Stancin, T. (2015, April). Clinical and Research Considerations: Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Children and Adolescents. Society of Pediatric Psychology Annual Conference. San Diego, California.
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[2025 – Present] Fellow, American Psychological Association (APA), Division 54 (Pediatric Psychology).
