Francisco Sánchez

Francisco (Cisco) J. Sánchez is an Associate Professor and the Director of Undergraduate Training in the School of Counseling and Counseling Psychology at Arizona State University (ASU). He earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University, his doctorate from The University of Iowa, and a post-doctoral certificate from UCLA. His current research primarily explores the impact of gender norms on mental health and well-being, while he continues to collaborate, teach, and publish on the biopsychological foundations of sexual orientation and gender identity.

As the director of ASU’s Counseling and Applied Psychological Science (CAP) undergraduate program—the largest and most distinctive undergraduate counseling programs in the country—Dr. Sánchez oversees its delivery across three ASU campuses (Polytechnic, Tempe, and Downtown Phoenix) and through ASU Online. The CAP program is uniquely grounded in the core values of Counseling Psychology and has experienced remarkable growth under his leadership. It now includes over 1,200 declared majors and serves more than 3,500 students each semester. Dr. Sánchez has spearheaded the development of three new concentration areas—Sport & Performance Counseling, Counseling Military Members & Veterans, and Sexuality & Gender Issues in Counseling (launching Fall 2026)—as well as numerous innovative courses to support the program’s expanding student body.

Beyond ASU, Dr. Sánchez is deeply engaged with the American Psychological Association (APA). He currently serves on the APA Board of Convention Affairs and the APA Amicus Curiae Expert Panel. He also holds editorial positions on five prominent journals in the field: Archives of Sexual Behavior, Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, Journal of Counseling Psychology, Journal of Latinx Psychology, and Psychology of Men & Masculinities. Internationally, Dr. Sánchez has consulted with sport authorities and provided expert testimony on cases involving elite athletes with Disorders/Variations of Sex Development.

Dr. Sánchez was honored as a Fellow of the APA just five years after earning his PhD, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to sexual orientation and gender diversity research. He is also a Fellow of three APA divisions: Division 44 (Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity), Division 29 (Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy), and Division 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology).

Dr. Sánchez attributes his career successes to the mentorship and guidance of numerous esteemed colleagues, including his PhD mentors at The University of Iowa (Drs. John S. Westefeld and William Ming Liu), his postdoctoral mentors at UCLA (Drs. Eric Vilain, Arthur P. Arnold, and Letitia Anne Peplau), and his pre-tenure mentors at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Missouri (Drs. Bruce E. Wampold, Janet S. Hyde, and Lisa Y. Flores).

In his personal life, Dr. Sánchez enjoys traveling and exploring National Parks with his loved ones, cherishing the opportunity to connect with history and nature while creating lasting memories.