With over a decade of clinical experience, Thomas A. Vance, Ph.D., is a therapist, scholar, and researcher specializing in interdisciplinary psychology, collaborating with historically marginalized communities.

He is the owner and the Clinical Director of AdVance Perspectives LLC. This private practice empowers all people, particularly those historically excluded, to start their mental health healing as affirmed, valued, and collaborative partners in the therapeutic and coaching space. Dr. Vance utilizes evidence-informed therapies to assist clients in managing anxiety, mood disorders, behavioral symptoms, and sexual/gender concerns. Additionally, Dr. Vance is a Part-Time Faculty member at the Schools for Public Engagement at The New School out of New York. He teaches psychology courses to undergraduate and graduate students while researching the topics of social justice, intersectional, and multicultural frameworks that recognize the importance of one’s identities in psychological development. Before his current role, Dr. Vance was in the non-profit sector in youth development. He served as the social service expert, overseeing youth outreach and intervention programs around trauma-informed practices and safety and planning.

Dr. Vance completed his teaching postdoctoral psychology fellowship at The New School for Social Research. Additionally, he completed a clinical and research postdoctoral fellowship at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), working within the Columbia Gender Identity Program. He received his doctorate in counseling psychology from The University of Akron in 2018. Amidst other commitments, Dr. Vance serves as a member of the Presidential Task Force on Advancing Social and Emotional Development of Black Boys through Research, Advocacy, and Community Engagement, as well as the Co-Chair of the American Psychological Association (APA), Division 17 and Diversity Committee Member of APA, Division 53.

Dr. Vance’s professional experiences have centered on uplifting social justice efforts with scientific evidence while also ensuring scientific advancements are analyzed with multicultural considerations. His expertise lies in identity development, extensively working with individuals from historically marginalized backgrounds. His clinical and research-based practices examine the nature of stigmatized experiences. He concentrates on their implications for psychosocial functioning – such as health and self-concept – and their intersections across axes of inequality.