DSW Candidate – Kenzi Lopez
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Virtual Showcase of DSW Scholars 2026 Event!
Centering Embodiment and Intersectionality: Transforming Mental Health Practice with Transgender People of Color
DSW Candidate – Kenzi Lopez
Monday, April 27, 2026
9:00 AM-10:15 AM Eastern Time Zone
Credit Hours: 1.0 (ACE)
Description
Centering Embodiment and Intersectionality: Transforming Mental Health Practice with Transgender People of Color
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this conference, participants will be able to:
- Identify the unique mental health challenges faced by transgender people of color (TPOC) and how these are shaped by intersecting systems of oppression.
- Explain the limitations of traditional, Eurocentric, and cognitive models in addressing trauma for TPOC clients.
- Describe the principles of somatic and body-based therapies and their value for TPOC populations.
- Apply concrete, culturally responsive strategies to clinical practice or organizational settings that affirm and support TPOC clients.
Presenter Bio
Kenzi Lopez, LCSW, CCTP, is a Doctoral Candidate in Social Work at the University of Kentucky and the founder and CEO of Empower Transform Affirm Therapy, a clinical practice serving New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Kenzi’s work centers on trauma-informed, culturally responsive mental health care for transgender people of color (TPOC) as well as the broader BIPOC, queer, and LGBTQ+ communities, drawing from a diverse clinical background in community organizations and private practice.
Her capstone, Centering Embodiment and Intersectionality: Transforming Mental Health Practice with Transgender People of Color, challenges Eurocentric, cognitive-focused models by advancing somatic and intersectional approaches to trauma and healing. Through a systematic review, conceptual framework, and practice tools, Kenzi’s scholarship calls for clinical social work that honors the full spectrum of TPOC experiences and resilience.
Kenzi is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in PA, NJ, and NY, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Her clinical leadership is informed by previous roles at Spilove Psychotherapy, Resilience Lab, and national advocacy organizations, where she provided direct care, training, and program development for LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and TPOC individuals.
Her honors include the Posse Foundation Full-Tuition Leadership Scholarship and recognition for outstanding leadership at Hamilton College. Her forthcoming publication, “The unseen driver: From childhood poverty to adult workaholism and the risk of burnout,” will appear in Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping. She is an active member of WPATH, NASW, and NQTTCN.
Delivery Method: Live Interactive Training via Zoom Video Conferencing
Credit Hours: 1.0 (ACE)
Target Audience: This conference is intended for social workers and students.
Accreditation: University of Kentucky College of Social Work, Provider # 1377, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/29/25-9/29/28. Social workers participating in this conference will receive up to 15 general continuing education credits.
Claiming CE Credit: Instructions for claiming CE credit will be disseminated at the beginning of each session.
Questions: If you have any questions regarding CE credit or to report a grievance, please contact Christina Krantz at Christina.Krantz@uky.edu. For technical assistance, please contact lmshelp@uky.edu.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these presentations are those of the individual presenters and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the University of Kentucky or the College of Social Work. The inclusion of any topics, perspectives, or discussions is intended for academic engagement and does not constitute endorsement by the institution.
