Meet Cadyn Cathers of The Affirmative Couch

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cadyn Cathers.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Cadyn. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
When I was a child, I wanted to grow up to be a scientist. I loved figuring out the puzzles of the world and how it all fit together. I studied biology as an undergraduate student and even went onto a doctorate in environmental toxicology. Along the way, I came out as a lesbian, then transgender. Due to the nature of my research, it didn’t feel safe to come out and continue my work. So I went through an existential crisis to figure out what I was going to do with my life. I sought depth therapy in order to help me find out who I was without that career. While I was there, I discovered that I enjoyed psychology as well! I started a master’s program and continued onto a doctorate in psychology that I completed in August 2019.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
All roads have bumps in them, sometimes even boulders.

I think that a lot of the roadblocks towards getting my career where I wanted it to be was just life getting in way. There is always a balancing act between getting all your personal needs met (like relationships, medical transition, relaxing, etc.) and working towards some goal. There just isn’t enough time or energy to do it all. Having six surgeries in the middle of my psychology doctorate program made getting my dissertation completed really difficult. It seemed like anytime I got the momentum up again to complete it I had another surgery.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Affirmative Couch – what should we know?
The Affirmative Couch provided online continuing education for psychotherapists about working with sexuality and gender. All psychotherapists need to complete additional training, even after they are licensed, to stay current with the field. Many psychotherapists have good intentions, but they don’t have training to work with LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and others), consensually non-monogamous (open relationships, polyamory, swinging, etc.) or kink communities. All these communities face discrimination and minority stressors; these can lead to mental health concerns. There is research to support that many of these communities seek therapy at higher rates than their heterosexual, monogamous, or non-kinky counterparts, but that few therapists have training to provide competent mental health services. We aim to provide those trainings to psychotherapists. We offer the trainings online so that psychotherapists from all over the country can learn whenever and wherever they want.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My partner, Melissa Dellens, has been an amazing support. She is my cheerleader and sounding board.

My team, even the former team-mates, have helped build The Affirmative Couch. Everyone has something amazing to contribute. We help keep each other accountable and support each other’s growth. That way, everyone wins.

I’m also really grateful for my business coaches through Impact Mastery for offering helpful suggestions and feedback about running a business. This is my first one and it has been a learning curve; but they have been there since very early on in the company.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.affirmativecouch.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/affirmativecouch/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/affirmativecouch/
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-affirmative-couch/

Image Credit:
Photo by Melissa Dellens

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