DBT Center of Lawrence - DBT Therapists providing mental health treatment in Lawrence, KS

Lydia Shontz

Student Intern

Lydia Shontz (SHE/THEY)

Lydia Shontz graduated from Washburn University’s master’s program in clinical psychology in Topeka, KS in 2023. During her studies she held several leadership roles, most notably serving as Clinic Director of the graduate student training clinic at her university. Additionally, Lydia was involved in several innovative clinical programs at their university, including the development and facilitation of novel integrated affirmative-care therapy protocols for queer students. Lydia is also trained in assessments within the World Professional Association for Trans Health (WPATH) Standards of Care (SOC), such as Psychosocial Readiness Screenings for Gender-Affirming Medical Care (GAMC).

Lydia’s dedication to DBT directly relates to her clinical and research interests on the negative impacts of emotional invalidation, cumulative minority stress for sex and gender minority populations, and transgender/gender diverse strategies of resilience. Lydia’s favorite DBT skill is Mindfulness of Thought and Emotion, an acceptance skill that encourages gentle curiosity, observance, and softness with distress to decrease suffering and aid in emotion regulation. As a Lawrence native, Lydia enjoys spending her free time in her neighborhood, attending local music shows, visiting the farmer’s market, or at home watching horror movies with her partner and her cats.