Areas of Expertise

Research with Trans and Nonbinary Individuals

Dr. Puckett conducts community engaged research with transgender and nonbinary individuals, utilizing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches. Although their work has broadly focused on the LGBTQ community, their primary focus is on the lived experiences of transgender and nonbinary communities. Their research seeks to document minority stressors that uniquely impact this community, provide a nuanced understanding of the mechanisms and processes that underlie the production of health disparities that exist for these communities, and to identify strategies for coping and being resilient in the face of these challenges. They have published over 60 peer reviewed articles in these areas and have presented at numerous regional, national, and international conferences (over 50). Their work has received grant funding from NIH and other outlets. For a full review of their research publications and research record, please see their CV.

Evidence of their leadership in this area includes:

Editorial Board for the Behavior Therapist
Editorial Board for Annals of LGBTQ Public and Population Health
Editorial Board for LGBT Health
Georgia Babladelis Best Paper Award – APA Society for the Psychology of Women
Distinguished Clinical Scholar – Northwestern University
First Place Award for Research Excellence – Chicago LGBTQ Health & Wellness Conference

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Sexual and Gender Minority Clients

Dr. Puckett has expertise in providing and supervising therapy services with sexual and gender minority clients utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) interventions, mindfulness, and acceptance-based strategies. They have received specialized training in working with LGBTQ populations, including being in the inaugural cohort of trainees in the LGBTQ health internship at Northwestern University, providing services through the Center on Halsted in Chicago for 2 years, and continuing education, such as the Gender Education Network's training on medical gender affirmation evaluations, the Fenway Institute/Harvard Medical School's Advancing Excellence in Transgender Health training, and many others. Regarding supervision, they have overseen the clinical work of approximately 30 trainees, some specializing in LGBTQ therapy and others more broadly focused on CBT training. They previously directed the Sexual and Gender Minority specialty services at Michigan State University's Psychological Clinic. They also provide therapy services through Wild Ferns Wellness in Lansing, MI.

Training and Consultation

Dr. Puckett has provided various trainings and educational programs related to research, clinical practice, and inclusivity of LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender and nonbinary people. They are available for leading such programs and trainings and can tailor these to a specific audience's needs. Here is a partial list of the trainings they have provided in the past:

“Wondering if it’ll ever be safe to move home”: Sociopolitical contexts, minority stress, and mental health in transgender and gender diverse communities. Presentation for Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University.
Discrimination and policy issues impacting transgender and nonbinary individuals. Presentation for the Allen Neighborhood Center.
Minority stress and mental health in transgender and nonbinary communities. Grand rounds presentation for University of Kentucky Department of Psychiatry.
Experiences of Non-Binary Graduate Students: What’s Helpful and What’s Not; Webinar Moderator.
Suggestions from trans and gender diverse people for improving health care. Presentation to the Trans Health Collective at Michigan State University.
Competent practice with transgender individuals. Panel presentation for psychiatry residents at Michigan State University.
Transgender and non-binary identities. Presentation to the University of South Dakota SPECTRUM student group.
Transgender and gender diverse identities: Trans 101 & considerations for HIV related care. Presentation to the South Dakota Ryan White Prevention Planning Group.
Clinical and sociopolitical issues facing LGBTQ clients: Mental health professionals as allies and change agents. Full day training at the South Dakota Psychological Association Conference.

If you are interested in discussing a training for your program or organization, please reach out to discuss this more.