This panel will explore the nature of the human person and the sexual difference as well as the clinical phenomenon of incongruence between bodily sex and psychological gender identity from theological, philosophical, scientific, and clinical perspectives. Selner-Wright will provide principles from the Catholic view of the human person, such as a soul-body unity, contrast this view with key points from the dominant secular view, and explore implications for the treatment of gender dysphoria. Sodergren will present scientific findings regarding sexual differentiation and gender incongruence and will discuss principles for treatment of gender dysphoria integrating principles from Selner-Wright’s presentation, clinical literature, research studies, and ethical and legal considerations.
Target Audience: Catholic clinicians
Course Content Level: Beginner
Learning Objectives:
This program does not qualify for NBCC credits
Dr. Andrew Sodergren is a Catholic psychologist and Director of Psychological Services for Ruah Woods Institute, a Theology of the Body ministry in Cincinnati, OH. He earned his Masters and Doctorate in clinical psychology from Divine Mercy University’s Institute for the Psychological Sciences. He also holds a Masters degree in theology from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at CUA, where he taught as an Adjunct Professor for 13 years. In 2022, Dr. Sodergren contributed a chapter on the “Psychology of the Sexual Difference” to the book Sexual Identity: The Harmony of Philosophy, Science, and Revelation published by the St. Paul Center. He previously wrote a chapter on forgiveness in marriage in the book Torn Asunder: Children, the Myth of the Good Divorce, and the Recovery of Origins. He is an active member of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association (CPA) and is a frequent speaker for professional and lay audiences on topics involving the integration of psychology and the Catholic faith. In 2023, he was honored by the CPA with the Our Lady of Good Counsel Clinical Excellence Award. He and his wife Ellie have been married 24 years and have 5 children.
