BOOK CLUB: Who's Afraid of Gender? by Judith Butler
Discussion Led by Braden Berkey, Psy.D.
October 2025
Discussion Guide, Quiz, and Evaluation will unlock two months before the scheduled live discussion date.
Gender has varying definitions depending on who you ask and, even among experts, there is disagreement about which definition is correct. In their book, Judith Butler evaluates the phantasmal ways in which gender has created anxieties, fears, and hatreds. They examine the how these fears and anxieties have demonized the struggle for equality and added to political agendas.
This program evaluates Judith Butler’s reconstruction of the arguments against gender. Participants will be challenged to reexamine not only their definitions of gender but also how the terms has been and is being used for different agendas. Readers will be presented with a discussion handout to guide them through the themes and concepts throughout the book and as part of the optional live discussions, Dr. Braden Berkey will lead participants through a discussion of the concepts presented with the ultimate goal to answer the question “what kind of phantasm has gender become and what anxieties, fears, and hatreds does it collect and mobilize?” (Butler, 2024).
Homestudy requires completion of quiz and evaluation.
Optional live discussion will be held online via Zoom. Link to access will be provided to participants individually.
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This Homestudy, when completed in its entirety, offers 5.0 CEs for Psychologists, 5.0 IL CEUS for Counselors and Social Workers, 5.0 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSWs, and LMFTs, 5.0 NASP CPDs for School Psychologists, or 5.0 ISBE CPDs for Illinois Educators.
This optional Live Discussion, when attended in its entirety, offers 1.0 CEs for Psychologists, 1.0 IL CEUS for Counselors and Social Workers, 1.0 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSWs, and LMFTs, 1.0 NASP CPDs for School Psychologists, or 1.0 ISBE CPDs for Illinois Educators.
Gender has varying definitions depending on who you ask and, even among experts, there is disagreement about which definition is correct. In their book, Judith Butler evaluates the phantasmal ways in which gender has created anxieties, fears, and hatreds. They examine the how these fears and anxieties have demonized the struggle for equality and added to political agendas.
This program evaluates Judith Butler’s reconstruction of the arguments against gender. Participants will be challenged to reexamine not only their definitions of gender but also how the terms has been and is being used for different agendas. Readers will be presented with a discussion handout to guide them through the themes and concepts throughout the book and as part of the optional live discussions, Dr. Braden Berkey will lead participants through a discussion of the concepts presented with the ultimate goal to answer the question “what kind of phantasm has gender become and what anxieties, fears, and hatreds does it collect and mobilize?” (Butler, 2024).
After attending this introductory-level program, participants will be able to:
- Explain the phantasm of gender.
- Identify how gender discussions have become more complex and controversial.
- Discuss why deconstructing gender construction is threatening to so many.
- Discuss how gender has been used in discussions on equality.
- Discuss the history associated with the concept of gender.
This program meets APA’s continuing education STANDARD 1.2: Program content focuses on ethical, legal, statutory or regulatory policies, guidelines, and standards that influence psychological practice, education, or research.
This program meets APA’s continuing education GOAL 3: Program will allow psychologists to maintain, develop, and increase competencies in order to improve services to the public and enhance contributions to the profession.
Cost of program does not include purchase of the book.
General Admission (Homestudy only): $60
General Admission (w/ live discussion): $70
The Chicago School Staff/Faculty/Alumni (Homestudy only): $50
The Chicago School Staff/Faculty/Alumni (w/ live discussion): $60
Students (Homestudy only): $30
Students (w/ live discussion): $40
Live Discussion is limited to 20 participants.
(*Please email [email protected] for coupon code)
Refund Policy: 100% of tuition is refundable up to 48 hours before the program. Within 48 hours of the program, and at any point in Homestudy format, tuition is nonrefundable.
Braden Berkey, Psy.D.; Associate Professor, The Chicago School
Braden Berkey, Psy.D., CSE (he/him) completed his doctoral work in clinical psychology at Wright State University. He is a licensed clinical psychologist and an Associate Professor in the Clinical Psy.D. Program at The Chicago School where his coursework has focused on professional ethics, clinical practice, diversity training and human sexuality since 2008. Dr. Berkey is a past chair of the Chicago campus Faculty Council and the Multicultural and Diversity Affairs Committee. He is a recipient of the university’s Distinguished Teaching for Excellence in Multicultural Teaching Award. Braden currently represents the Chicago campus as a Member-at-Large on the National Faculty Council. He is active in Division 44 of the APA, serving as co-chair of the Diversity in Aging Committee.
Prior to his academic appointment Dr. Berkey served as the Director of Behavioral Health & Social Services at Howard Brown Health Center and he created the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Institute at Center on Halsted. He has been a consultant on sexual minority health for the Department of Medicine at the University of Chicago and numerous HIV/AIDS organizations. Braden is a member of the American Association of Sex Educator, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT), and he holds a certification as a sexuality educator. He is also the executive director of Projects Advancing Sexual Diversity (PASD). His research lab focuses on sexual, gender and relationship minority issues across the lifespan and their intersections with other marginalized statuses.
Butler, J. (2024). Who’s afraid of gender? Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
See book for additional references.
Target Audience: Mental Health Professionals, Organizational Leaders, and Students
Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 5.0 (homestudy) and 1.0 (live discussion) continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods.
Counselors/Clinical Counselors. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 5.0 (homestudy) and 1.0 (live discussion) hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for counselors and clinical counselors. License Number: 197.000159
Social Workers. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 5.0 (homestudy) and 1.0 (live discussion) hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for social workers. License Number: 159.001036
MFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs. Course meets the qualifications for 5.0 (homestudy) and 1.0 (live discussion) hours of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. If you are licensed outside of California please check with your local licensing agency to to determine if they will accept these CEUs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to offer continuing education programming for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an accredited or approved postsecondary institution that meets the requirements set forth in Sections 4980.54(f)(1), 4989.34, 4996.22(d)(1), or 4999.76(d) of the Code.
Illinois Educators. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 5.0 (homestudy) and 1.0 (live discussion) hours of continuing professional development units. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an approved provider for continuing professional development by the Illinois State Board of Education.
School Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 5.0 (homestudy) and 1.0 (live discussion) hours of continuing professional development. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s School Psychology Program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists to offer continuing professional development. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this continuing professional development activity.
Non-Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.
*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.
If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.
The Office of Continuing Education at The Chicago School is not affiliated with the author, publisher, or any book sellers, and receives no financial support from the sales of the book.