Christi McGeorge

Professor

Faculty

Human Development and Family Science

Areas of Study & Research

The influence of heterosexism, cissexism, and sexual and gender minority prejudice on clinical practice and training, gender equity in therapy, promoting LGBTQ ally behavior in collegiate athletics, gender equity in higher education, and societal perceptions of single parents.

Dr. Christi McGeorge has been a faculty member in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at North Dakota State University since 2003. In her position at NDSU she has had the opportunity to mentor undergraduate, master, and doctoral students as well as new faculty members. Dr. McGeorge is passionate about research and particularly enjoys helping students develop their own excitement and passion for research.

Dr. McGeorge is an active member of the GLBTSA focus group as well as the Family Therapy and Feminism and Family Studies Sections of the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). Additionally, she is a clinical fellow and approved supervisor in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and has served as has twice served as the President of the North Dakota Division of AAMFT. Dr. McGeorge is also a member of the AAMFT Queer and Trans Advocacy Network (QTAN). Additionally, she serves on the editorial boards for the Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, Journal of Family Theory & Review, Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy (she is also serving as an Associate Editor for JCRT), and Journal of Marital and Family Therapy.

Courses Taught

HDFS 242: Couples, Marriages, and Families
HDFS 250: Intro to Research Methods in HDFS (online and face-to-face)
HDFS 275: Diversity and Multiculturalism in Individual and Family Life
HDFS 379: Exploring the Rainbow: An Exploration of Berlin's History and Current Social Policies related to LGBTQ Rights
HDFS 701: Graduate Orientation – CFT Program
HDFS 776: Clinical Applications in Couple and Family Therapy II: Play Therapy
HDFS 777: Diagnosis and Assessment in Couples and Family Therapy
HDFS 794: Clinical Practicum
HDFS 801: Graduate Orientation Seminar – CFT Program
HDFS 875: Research Methods in Couple and Family Therapy
HDFS 894: Clinical Practicum and Supervision Mentoring

Education

  • 2005, University of Minnesota Ph.D., Family Social Science
  • 1998, Colorado State University M.S., Human Development and Family Studies
  • 1996, University of Arizona B.S., Family Studies

Publications

McGeorge, C. R., Kinkade, E., Van Vleet, B., Kho, C., & Mullet, N. (in press). State of families brief report: North Dakota (2023). Marriage & Family Review.

Coburn, K. O., Vennum, A., McGeorge, C. M., Markham, M. S., & Spencer, C. M. (2024). "It's like a happy little affirmation circle": A grounded theory study of nonbinary peoples’ internal processes for navigating binary gender norms. International Journal of Transgender Health, 25(4), 751-769.

McGeorge, C. R., Toomey, R. B., & Zhao, Z. (2024). Measuring allyship: Development and validation of two measures to assess collegiate athlete department staff engagement in LGBTQ allyship. Journal of Homosexuality, 71(8), 1900-1917.

McGeorge, C. R., & Coburn, K. O. (2024).'Extremely toxic and evil' reflections on gender identity change efforts by Christian religious leaders: Implications for therapy with transgender and nonbinary clients. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 50(2), 368-389.

McGeorge, C. R., Coburn, K. O., & Walsdorf, A. A. (2023). Ending sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts: Steps professional mental health associations can take. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 35(1), 85-105.

Bower, K. L., McGeorge, C. R., & Bermudez, J. M. (2023). “It doesn’t say except, it just says love each other”: Mapping spiritual reconciliation among LGBTQ older adults. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 35(1), 55-84.

Coburn, K. O., & McGeorge, C. R. (2022). Perspectives of mainline Protestant Christian pastors on the consequences of familial acceptance and rejection of LGB members: Understanding the role of religion for family therapists. Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal, 44(4), 360-372.

McGeorge, C. R., Coburn, K. O., Walsdorf, A. A., & Nguyen, H. N. (2022). "We need to state it overtly": MFT’s rationales for labeling SOCE and GICE as unethical in the code of ethic. Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal, 44(4), 436-451.

McGeorge, C. R., & Coburn, K. O (2022). Approaches mainline Protestant pastors use to work with LGB people and their families: Implications for family therapists. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 34(3-4), 343-369.

Heiden-Rootes, K., McGeorge, C. R., Salas, J., & Levine, S. (2022). The effects of gender identity change efforts on Black, Latinx, and White transgender and gender nonbinary adults: Implications for ethical clinical practice. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 48(3), 927-944.

Maier, C. A., Wojciak, A. S., & McGeorge, C. R. (2022). Examining gender in heterosexual couple relationships utilizing the Biobehavioral Family Model: Implications for couple therapy. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 21(2), 105-128.

Walsdorf, A. A., Roche, K. M., Caughy, M. O., & McGeorge, C. R. (2022). Latinx parents’ perceptions of how the changing immigration climate has affected their adolescent children. Journal of Latinx Psychology, 10(1), 54-70.

McGeorge 3 McGeorge, C. R., Coburn, K. O., & Walsdorf, A. A. (2021). Deconstructing cissexism: The journey of becoming an affirmative family therapist for transgender and nonbinary clients. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 47(3), 785-802.

McGeorge, C. R., Coburn, K. O., & Walsdorf, A. A. (2021). Christian mainline protestant pastors’ beliefs about the practice of conversion therapy: Reflections for family therapists. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 47(3), 698-712.

McGeorge, C. R., & Bilen-Green, C. (2021). Engaging men as allies for gender equity higher education: An evaluation of an advocate and ally program. Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering, 27(2), 25–59.

Barry, A. M., Lyman, K. L., Dicks, N. D., McGeorge, C. R., Carper, M. J., & Walch, T. J. (2020). Firefighters are more physically active on-duty compared to off-duty. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(24), 9380-9388.

Walsdorf, A. A., Jordan, L. S., McGeorge, C. R., & Caughy, M. O. (2020). White supremacy and the web of family science: Implications of the missing spider. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 12(1), 64-79. ***Recognized by Wiley as one of the top cited articles for 2020-2021 in JFTR***

Anicha, C. L., Bilen-Green, C., Burnett, A., Green, R., & McGeorge, C. R. (2019). Just undo it: Men faculty addressing gender inequities in academia. ADVANCE Journal, 1(2).

Barry, A. M., Lyman, K. J., Dicks, N. D., Landin, K. D., McGeorge, C. R., Hackney, K. J., & Walch, T. J. (2019). Firefighters' physical activity and waist circumference as predictors of VO2max. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 61(10), 849-853.

Coburn, K. O., & McGeorge, C. R. (2019). Christian pastors’ perspectives and insights on the practice of family therapists referring LGB clients: Exploring the role of religion. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 47(5), 328-343.

Coburn, K. O., Bishop, E. K., Lambert-Shute, J., Nguyen, H. N., McCoy, T. L., & McGeorge, C. R. (2019). The Christian closet: A phenomenological study of queer Christian women’s navigation of church communities. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 31(4), 165-194.

Coburn, K. O., & McGeorge, C. R. (2019). What do Christian clergy say?: Advice from Christian pastors to family therapists about working with LGB clients. Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal, 41(3), 236-246.

McGeorge, C. R., Coburn, K. O., & Walsdorf, A. A. (2018). Factors predicting the inclusion of lesbian, gay, and bisexual affirmative content taught in couple and family therapy courses. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 46(3), 306-317.

Toomey, R. B., & McGeorge, C. R. (2018). Profiles of LGBTQ ally engagement in college athletics. Journal of LGBT Youth, 15(3), 162-178.

Toomey, R. B., McGeorge, C. R., & Carlson, T. S. (2018). Athletes’ perceptions of the climate for sexual and gender minority athletes and their intervention in bias. Journal for the Study of Sports and Athletes in Education, 12(2), 133-154.

McGeorge 4 Theisen, M. R., McGeorge, C. R., & Walsdorf, A. A. (2018). Graduate student parents’ perceptions of resources to support degree completion: Implications for family therapy programs. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 30(1), 46-70.

McGeorge, C. R., Kellerman, J., & Carlson, T. S. (2018). Indicators of LGB affirmative training: An exploratory study of family therapy faculty members. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 30(1), 1-24.

McGeorge, C. R., Carlson, T. S., & Maier, C. A. (2017). Are we there yet? Faculty members’ beliefs and teaching practices related to the ethical treatment of lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 43(2), 322–337.

Toomey, R. B., McGeorge, C. R., & Carlson, T. S. (2016). A mixed-methods pilot study of student athlete engagement in LGBTQ ally actions. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 9(2), 247-267.

Corturillo, E. M., McGeorge, C. R., & Carlson, T. S. (2016). How prepared are they? Exploring couple and family therapy faculty members' training experiences in lesbian, gay, and bisexual affirmative therapy. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 28(2-3), 55–75.

McGeorge, C. R., Carlson, T. S., & Farrell, M. (2016). To refer or not to refer: Exploring family therapists’ beliefs and practices related to the referral of lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 42(3), 466-480.

McGeorge, C. R., & Carlson, T. S. (2016). The state of lesbian, gay, and bisexual affirmative training: A survey of faculty from accredited couple and family therapy programs. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 42(1), 153-167.

McGeorge, C. R., Carlson, T. S., & Toomey, R. B. (2015). An exploration of family therapists’ beliefs about the ethics of conversion therapy: The influence of negative beliefs and clinical competence with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 41(1), 42-56.

McGeorge, C. R., Carlson, T. S., & Toomey, R. B. (2015). Assessing lesbian, gay, and bisexual affirmative training in couple and family therapy: Establishing the validity of the faculty version of the affirmative training inventory. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 41(1), 57- 71.

Maier, C. A., & McGeorge, C. R. (2014). Positive attributes of never-married single mothers and fathers: Why gender matters and applications for family therapists. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 26(3), 163-190.

McGeorge, C. R., Carlson, T. S., & Toomey, R. B. (2014). The intersection of spirituality, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity in family therapy training: An exploration of students’ beliefs and practices. Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal, 36(4), 497- 506.

McDougall, S. D., & McGeorge, C. R. (2014). Utilizing women’s feminist identities in family therapy: A phenomenological exploration of the meaning women assign to their feminist identities. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 26(2), 73-98.

McGeorge 5 Carlson, T. S., McGeorge, C. R., & Toomey, R. B. (2014). Establishing the validity of the spirituality in clinical training scale: Measuring the level of integration of spirituality and religion in family therapy training. Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal, 36(2), 310-325.

Nova, E. A., McGeorge, C. R., & Carlson, T. S. (2013). Bisexuality and lesbian, gay, and bisexual affirmative training: An exploration of family therapy students’ beliefs and clinical experiences. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 25(4), 212–232.

Carlson, T. S., McGeorge, C. R., & Toomey, R. B. (2013). Establishing the validity of the Affirmative Training Inventory: Assessing the relationship between lesbian, gay, and bisexual affirmative training and students' clinical competence. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 39(2), 209- 222.

McGeorge, C. R., Carlson, T. S., & Toomey, R. B. (2013). Establishing the validity of the feminist couple therapy scale: Measuring therapists’ use of feminist practices with heterosexual couples. Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy, 12(1), 3-21.

Burnett, A., Bilen-Green, C., McGeorge, C. R., & Anicha, C. L. (2012). Examining the complexities of faculty attrition: An analysis of STEM and non-STEM faculty who remain and faculty who leave the institution. Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering, 18(1), 1- 19.

DeJean, S. L., McGeorge, C. R., & Carlson, T. S. (2012). Attitudes toward never-married single mothers and fathers: Does gender matter? Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 24(2), 121-138.

Haire, A. R., & McGeorge, C. R. (2012). Negative perceptions of never-married custodial single mothers and fathers: Applications of a gender analysis for family therapists. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 24(1), 24-51.

Carlson, T. S., McGeorge, C. R., & Anderson, A. (2011). The importance of spirituality in couple and family therapy: A comparative study of therapists’ and educators’ beliefs. Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal, 33(1), 3-16.

McGeorge, C., & Carlson, T. S. (2011). Deconstructing heterosexism: Becoming an LGB affirmative heterosexual couple and family therapist. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 37(1), 14-26.

McGeorge, C. R., & Carlson, T. S. (2010). Social justice mentoring: Preparing family therapists for social justice advocacy work. Michigan Family Review, 14(1), 42-59.

Rock, M., Carlson, T. S., & McGeorge, C. R. (2010). Does affirmative training matter? Assessing CFT students’ beliefs about sexual orientation and their level of affirmative training. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 36(2), 171-184.

Henke, T., Carlson, T. S., & McGeorge, C. R. (2009). Homophobia and clinical competency: An exploration of couple and family therapists’ beliefs. Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy, 8(4), 325-342.

McGeorge, C. R., Carlson, T. S., & Guttormson, H. (2009). The feminist couple therapy scale: A measure of therapists’ ability to promote equality in couple relationships. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 21(3), 198-215.

McGeorge 6 Rueter, M. A., Holm, K. E., McGeorge, C. R., & Conger, R. D. (2008). Adolescent suicidal ideation subgroups and their association with suicidal plans and attempts in young adulthood. Journal of Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 38(5), 564-575.