In a world where acceptance can be hard to come by, clinical psychologist Jessica Bernacki found her calling not just through formal training but also from listening to the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ friends as a student.
"Though it was much less common to be ‘out’ in high school and a bit less in college, I became increasingly aware of those around me who were part of this community," recalls Bernacki, founding psychologist and program director of behavioral health for the UCLA Gender Health Program. "I wanted to be supportive and I’ve made it my mission to become an inclusive provider, which means doing my own internal work to identify and challenge my stereotypes and biases.”
The path traveled by Bernacki – who is heterosexual and identifies with the gender she was assigned at birth – highlights the intention of UCLA Health’s LGBTQ+ Champion program.
The program comprises a network including Bernacki and about 60 other physicians and health care providers who have completed specialized training and collaborate to offer integrated care to LGBTQ+ patients across the greater Los Angeles region. Champions participate in ongoing education and professional development in LGBTQ+ health topics, ensuring that all patients receive equitable, comprehensive care that addresses their unique needs.
UCLA Health was recognized with a top score and the designation of “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” in the 2024 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. UCLA Health also received certification from The Joint Commission, a major accreditation body, for its commitment to providing high-quality equitable care to all patients.
"UCLA Health has established policies that ensure LGBTQ+ people are supported throughout our health system. All of our team members are trained to interact with our patients in ways that affirm who they are. Creating a safe environment is necessary for our patients to achieve their best health,” said Amy Weimer, MD, co-founder of the UCLA Gender Health Program.
Bernacki and others at UCLA Health have sought specialized training in gender-affirming care through organizations such as World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).
“I’ve learned so much from attending talks, reading books authored by those with lived experience, and understanding personal accounts," says Bernacki, who completed doctoral training at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. “I’ve explored how my training in practices like cognitive behavioral therapy can be adapted to better serve the LGBTQ+ population.”
Bernacki's journey into this field began in 2016, when her predoctoral internship in the UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences focused on pediatric psychology. “I developed expertise in promoting health behaviors in youth and families,” she explains.
This foundational experience translated well to her work in the Gender Health Program. When a colleague approached her to help establish the program in 2016, she was excited to join the team.
Studies show a prevalence of mental health symptoms and disparities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, Bernacki says. She emphasizes that “there's nothing intrinsic about being part of the LGBTQ+ community that leads to these issues.” Rather, she says, research has found that external stressors — such as stigmatization, discrimination, and a hostile sociopolitical climate — coupled with the internalization of these experiences, can significantly increase the risk of anxiety, depression, substance use and suicidality. This combination of factors places individuals at greater risk for mental health disparities, Bernacki says.
"Having a space where your identities, relationships, and families are immediately acknowledged and validated is an essential part of medical care. Medical schools traditionally only discussed LGBTQ care in the context of sexual health, which is obviously just one aspect of someone's life. I try to recognize that being LGBTQ-identified both may, or may not, be relevant to the reason you seek medical care, and if it is I'm ready and wanting to hear about it,” says Brandon Ito, MD, MPH, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
Building rapport with patients from the onset is crucial, and Bernacki uses specific strategies.
“I introduce myself with my name and pronouns, and I always ask how my patients, their partner and/or family if applicable, wants to be addressed,” she explains.
This not only creates a welcoming atmosphere and safe space but also demonstrates her understanding of the unique challenges her patients face. “Patients appreciate when I acknowledge that I don’t have lived experience in the community,” she adds.
Bernacki recognizes that sociopolitical discussions and difficult social or family dynamics can heighten anxiety levels.
“Establishing boundaries and engaging in self-care strategies are vital in these situations,” she says, encouraging individuals to seek supportive spaces for navigating stressful conversations with those around them. That may look like turning to their 'chosen family' for those in the LGBTQ+ community who may lack supportive biological ties.
“These relationships are essential for building a supportive network and maintaining overall physical and mental well-being,” Bernacki says.
