J. Andan Sheppard, MS, CSPI

Parenting can be hard. Parenting a queer kiddo can be even harder. Because parents love their kids. As a queer kiddo turned adult, Sheppard believes this deeply. Each family is unique and precious, with the capacity for transformation when loved and supported. Sheppard specializes in working with parents of queer kiddos to build stronger family connections—particularly those reconciling the love for their queer kiddo and their faith. They are committed to creating a space where clients feel seen, valued, and supported in their parenting and family relationships. They earned a bachelors degree in Family Life and a masters degree in Marriage Family & Human Development from Brigham Young University, and a suicide prevention instructor certification (CSPI) from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Out of all their accomplishments, Sheppard is most proud of the families that continue to choose each other and become transitional characters together.

Since Sheppard was a kid, their favorite Disney movie has been Treasure Planet.