Clear Harbor Healing and EmpowermentSue Ji
Consultant
Researcher, educator, and mental health advocate focused on the well-being of Asian LGBTQ+ and transgender communities.
The experience behind the work
Sue holds a master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Birmingham and is described as a Psychology PhD candidate at the University of Sydney. Her training includes LGBTQ+-affirming counseling practices.
Her published research examines gender congruence and mental health among Chinese transgender and gender non-conforming people, with attention to experiences across cultural contexts.
Academic experiences in China, the United States, Japan, France, and Australia inform her culturally responsive approach. Her qualitative methods include interpretative phenomenological analysis and reflective thematic analysis.
Sue has worked with Antra and Trans Voice to offer peer counseling and educational resources for Chinese-speaking queer and transgender communities.
Read Sue’s full biography
Dr. JI is a researcher, educator, and mental health advocate specializing in gender studies and the psychological well-being of Asian LGBTQ+ communities. As a PhD candidate in Psychology at the University of Sydney under the supervision of Dr. Ilan Dar-Nimrod, her groundbreaking research explores the unique challenges faced by transgender and gender-diverse individuals across cultural contexts, with particular expertise in Chinese communities.
With a Master's degree in Psychology from the University of Birmingham (UK) and extensive training in LGBTQ+-affirming counseling practices, Dr. JI brings both academic rigor and practical clinical experience to her work. Her published research on gender congruence and mental health among Chinese transgender and gender non-conforming individuals has contributed valuable insights to understanding psychological processes affecting these communities.
Dr. JI's multicultural background includes academic experiences in China, the United States, Japan, France, and Australia, giving her a uniquely global perspective on culturally-sensitive mental health approaches. As an assistant counselor and researcher, she has developed specialized knowledge in supporting individuals navigating complex intersectional identities.
Beyond her research, Dr. JI remains actively engaged in community service, working with organizations like Antra (a Chinese-speaking queer NGO) and Trans Voice to provide peer counseling and educational resources. Her commitment to creating affirming spaces for Asian women and LGBTQ+ individuals is evident throughout her professional journey.
Dr. JI's expertise in qualitative research methods, including interpretative phenomenological analysis and reflective thematic analysis, enables her to amplify marginalized voices and translate lived experiences into effective, culturally-informed mental health interventions.