the team
Dr. Angie Wootton, PhD MSW
Angie Wootton is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Welfare, College of Integrated Health Sciences and Affiliated Faculty of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the University at Albany, SUNY. Angie's research focuses on characterizing and seeking remedies to persistent mental health and behavioral health disparities in the LGBTQ+ community. This work takes a strengths, resilience, and trauma recovery focus to identify and promote pathways to holistic wellbeing for multiply marginalized LGBTQ+ people, especially uplifting forms of LGBTQ+ community support, peer mental health support, and mutual aid. Prior to working in academia, Angie had a career as a case manager, counselor, and social worker in settings such as homeless shelters, transitional and permanent supported housing, hospitals, a community-based mental health program, an HIV/AIDS organization in California. Angie lives in Albany, NY with their wife, dog, and cat.
Linda Cahoon, MSW (she/her/they)
Linda Cahoon is a PhD student in the School of Social Welfare at the University at Albany, SUNY. Linda’s research is devoted to advancing the understanding and support of LGBTQIA+ mental health and policy, with special emphasis on amplifying the voices and experiences of multiply marginalized sexual and gender minority individuals from high-demand, patriarchal, non-affirming religion. Linda is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Utah who specializes in working with LGBTQIA+ youth and adults, as well as women’s mental health. Linda takes a trauma-informed, holistic, and systems approach in her work. She has experience in community based mental health programs, residential treatment, and outpatient and private practice settings. Linda’s primary career goal is to help dismantle systems of oppression and increase the resources, support, and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ and marginalized individuals. In her personal life, Linda is an avid dog lover and introvert who loves nature and helping people reconnect with themselves.
Laurie DeJong Zuverink, MSW MDiv (she/they)
Laurie DeJong Zuverink MSW, MDiv, is a queer feminist speaker, researcher, writer, keeper of stories, and advocate for social change. For half a century Laurie grew up and lived in the conservative ethnic faith communities of West Michigan where with a passion to create systemic change and to develop youth leadership, she engaged the community as a faith leader and executive director of an urban after school center. In 2020 during the middle of COVID and after a season of discernment and “coming out,” Laurie took a bold step and moved to Albany, New York to pursue an MSW/PhD in Social Welfare at the University at Albany, SUNY. While in Albany and completing coursework, Laurie has worked in different capacities serving the LGBTQ+, the aging, and the cognitively impaired populations. Laurie has also served as one of the Interfaith Chaplains for the University at Albany. Currently, using the methods of narrative inquiry, Laurie is engaging in doctoral research exploring intersectional spiritual identity formation in the lives of sexual minority women who come out later in life. Laurie loves watching women’s sports, live music, traveling, and engaging in a good story.
Project Advisory Board
Want to help improve LGBTQ mental health and wellbeing in your local community? Have ideas about what works and doesn't work for LGBTQ folks?
If so, please apply for the Project Advisory Board, which will meet on Zoom. To apply, email Angie with a statement about your interest.