Championing Identity and Diversity: Dr. Sarah Burgamy’s Journey in Psychology and Advocacy

In honor of LGBTQ+ History Month, we proudly spotlight Dr. Sarah Burgamy, a 2006 graduate of the PsyD program at the Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP). Sarah’s remarkable journey into psychology, her unwavering dedication to the LGBTQ+ community, and her influential work on gender identity underscore her lifelong commitment to advocacy and clinical excellence.

Sarah’s path into psychology was deeply intertwined with her personal journey of self-discovery. Coming out during her senior year of high school, Sarah navigated the complexities of her identity as she transitioned from her hometown of Denver to Dartmouth College. “I was a newly out queer youth in the late '90s, heading to a town I was unfamiliar with,” she reflects. “I thought, what have I done?” Despite these challenges, Sarah found her true calling at Dartmouth, shifting her focus from biology to psychology and brain sciences after a moment of clarity about becoming a therapist.

After returning to Denver, Sarah applied to GSPP, knowing it was the right place for her. “DU was it for me,” she says, describing how the program’s clinical focus and hands-on training shaped her professional path.

GSPP provided Sarah with the critical balance of rigorous clinical training and opportunities for deep self-reflection. She praises the school’s emphasis on practical experience and its unique approach to education. “People told me they were jealous of the training opportunities we had. I had no idea other programs weren’t providing the same level of clinic work, field placements, and clinically focused classes,” she continues, recalling the challenges of balancing clinical work with introspection. “The self-analysis that GSPP required was both incredibly helpful and, at times, little ‘t' traumatic,” she adds with a slight laugh. “But I cannot imagine doing this job without that degree of deep self-investigation.”

Courses in multiculturalism, especially those addressing LGBTQ+ issues, were particularly transformative for Sarah. She credits the "Social Psychology of Race and Oppression" course with shaping her perspective, both personally and professionally. "It demanded that we really investigate our own identities, and that was crucial to my growth as a clinician." She recalls how a third-year student challenged her to move beyond her “target identity” as a queer woman and examine her identity as a white person. “That was a powerful moment,” Sarah reflects. This depth of introspection continued to impact her journey throughout the program.

Sarah is also quick to recognize the support of several key faculty members, including Vivian Schaefer, PsyD, and Judith Fox, PhD. "Vivian Schaefer taught LGBTQ+ issues, and I later inherited her course," Sarah shares. "She became an unofficial mentor, challenging me in ways that were enormously helpful." Judy Fox, who supervised Sarah’s focus on child psychology, also played a pivotal role in her professional growth. "Judy's one of the most gifted child psychologists I've ever encountered. The intuition and way that she just sort of knew how kids flowed was really inspiring."

Sarah has become a prominent voice in advocating for the competency of mental health professionals in addressing gender diversity. Reflecting on her role in shaping the field, Sarah says, “I actually beat that drum to anybody who will listen.” As part of her work in American Psychological Association (APA) governance, she has collaborated with renowned ethicist Linda Campbell, PhD, to co-author a chapter on ethical concerns and legal considerations for counseling transgender and gender non-binary individuals. 

“One of the things that Linda said early on was, ‘Gender identity is not a specialty,’” Sarah explains. “You need to be competent to work with human beings. It’s not an option to say, ‘I don’t see this variety of human.’” Sarah is adamant that gender diversity should be a part of every clinician’s skill set, rather than a specialized area, much like understanding the developmental stages of life. “Gender diversity at the end of the day involves everybody—cisgender, transgender, non-binary people—and a myriad of other identities. You need to have some level of competency to understand that.” 

Sarah encourages mental health professionals not to shy away from working with clients who may have gender-diverse identities. “Instead of thinking, ‘I better refer out because I’m anxious,’ maybe wonder, ‘Can I consult my way to competency because I already have a relationship with this person?’” she says. She stresses the importance of not breaking therapeutic alliances but instead continuing the work to ensure clients receive the best care possible. 

When asked how the field of psychology can better support LGBTQ+ individuals, both as clients and practitioners, Sarah advocates for a more inclusive approach to education and practice. “It’s like any underrepresented identity,” she explains. “Competency and awareness should be woven into everything we do, so we don't need special courses or classes. We need to be invested in seeking diverse identities for our workforce until it becomes second nature to value and appreciate people's intersectional presentations.” She believes that a more diverse workforce elevates the quality of care provided to all clients.

As we mark LGBTQ+ History Month, Sarah reflects on the heightened importance of visibility in today’s social and political climate. “I see it as an ethical and moral duty to be a visible queer person and professional,” she says. "Gender diversity has always been part of our history, and we need to give credit where credit’s due.”

For the future, Sarah hopes to see LGBTQ+ representation in psychology become so normalized that it is no longer a point of contention or surprise. “My hope is that diversity in human identity becomes so common that it’s almost boring,” she says with a smile. As an active member of the APA, she continues to advocate for increased awareness and competency in addressing the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals within mental health care.

Sarah’s journey is a testament to the power of education, advocacy, and resilience. As we celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, we honor Sarah’s unwavering commitment to championing gender diversity and improving mental health care for all.