Benjamin F. Shepherd
He/Him
I am gay and I am a doctoral student in clinical psychology and stigma researcher.//
Currently, I am a clinical psychology PhD student at Nova Southeastern University, interested in understanding the relationship between stigma, mental health, and intersectionality. My primary mission is to conduct research that promotes the development of culturally responsive assessments, interventions, and policies that best serve diverse, historically underserved populations with concealable stigmatized identities, with a focus on LGBTQ+ Latinx individuals.
Growing up, I struggled with internalized homophobia and other forms of stigma. Throughout junior high and high school, I hid my sexual orientation from everyone around me and despised the sound of my own voice. It was not until college that I started feeling comfortable enough be fully open and authentic about my true self. How exactly does it get better? That is one of my many research questions.
Research interests aside, I enjoy soccer, swimming, Latin music, X-Men comics and sci-fi/fantasy novels. I’m also an avid fan of the color yellow, spicy food, and social justice efforts. My usual fun fact is that I’m half Puerto Rican.
If you have any questions, research ideas, or just want to talk, my door is always open!