By Karen Houston
Photo by Denis Largeron
“There aren’t many situations or issues that I haven’t dealt with in my 38 years of work in this community,” says Dr. Robyn Zeiger, a licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a private practice and a senior lecturer at The University of Maryland College Park (UMCP). She’s taught classes in the departments of Family Science, Health Education, the Honors College, and Women’s Studies.
After completing her PhD, Zeiger equipped herself with the mental tools and license necessary to become a counselor. She focuses on LGBTQ clients, including individuals and couples, with special interests in pet loss and couples communication.
“I feel it’s quite a gift people give me,” Zeiger says of her transgender clients who have shared their experience with her, “. . . and I feel very, very honored that people allow me on that journey to help see [them] through that transition.”
Being a professor tempers the isolation that inevitably comes with counseling. “What I love about going to school is that I get out of the house,” says Zeiger, “I’m around younger people, and I don’t feel 63 at all, and I love being a Terp. It’s fun.” UMD is family to Zeiger and retiring isn’t even a word she’ll use because her work is too enjoyable to be thought of as such. Of all her achievements, Zeiger is most proud of coming out to every class she’s taught over the past four decades.
“I’m very energetic and passionate about what I do. I love getting up in the morning. I’m fortunate,” says Zeiger.
Click here for informative Tagg articles written by Dr. Zeiger and her partner.
