About Sex Therapy

Common sexual and reproductive concerns include: Painful sex, concerns with orgasming, and concerns with sexual interest and arousal. People experiencing sexual and reproductive concerns are impacted by several factors (physiological, psychological, and sociocultural.).

Kink is an umbrella term to describe a range of sexual identities, erotic behaviors, sexual interests and fantasies, relationship identities, relationship orientations, and relationship structures between consenting adults not accepted by the dominant culture. While more than 50% of US relationship-systems have expressed interest in at least one aspect of kink culture, kinky communities are highly stigmatized and pathologized by society.  

Relationship-systems commonly benefit from working to deepen intimacy, cultivate more meaningful and effective communication, process issues that may be impacting partners' experiences with one another, safely explore shared sexuality, and establish boundaries. A common reason relationship-systems initially seek help stems from an infidelity that has occurred by one or more partners in the system.

Consensual nonmonogamy (CNM) refers to the practice of engaging in romantic, sexual or other intimate relationships with more than one person. Polyamory refers to the practice of bonding with more than one person. Polyamorous refers to a sexual identity of being attracted to and/or longing to bond with more than one person. 

Mismatched desire refers to the discrepancy between sexual desire and actual frequency of sexual activity. Mismatched desire is a common experience in relationships and may be negatively impactful on a deeper level when at least one partner is experiencing mismatched desire-related distress.

Clients reporting problematic sexual behaviors have always been underserved by clinicians. In recent years, a number of providers have proposed a treatment that views out of control sexual behavior (OCSB) from a sexual health lens as opposed to one steeped in pathology, religiosity, and/or moralistic views of sexuality.  

Intersectionality, coined by Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw, is an analytical framework for understanding how aspects of a person's social and political identities combine to create different modes of discrimination and privilege. These identities include gender identity, race, religion, and disability. While inequity exists in every relationship, relationships holding diverse identities are more vulnerable to internalized forms of oppression and external discrimination.

Sexuality plays a significant role in each human developmental stage. However, cultural and moral beliefs limit how sexuality is treated and expressed based on age, gender, race, ability, class and other identities.  

Sexually diverse people in identity and expression have been historically discriminated against, dismissed and erased from the sexual narrative in Western societies. Sexually marginalized communities include people engaging in sex work, polyamory, consensual nonmonogamy, kink/BDSM communities and people existing in large or fat bodies. 

The 2SLGBTQIA+ community is broad and diverse, including sexually and gender diverse people. I work with clients to help them explore their sexuality and gender, ranging from identity to expression, to transitioning, pod-mapping, cultivating family support and accessing affirming healthcare and community services. 

Common themes that arise include: Supporting sexuality through an access-centered lens, expanding sex education, exploring sexual identity and expression while combatting that stigmatized ways disabled people have been pigeon-holed within sexuality (abuse/victimization, purity, etc.); and unpacking ways that ableism and erotophobia stop disabled people from developing and maintaining intimacy/relationships. 

US society stigmatizes and tries its best to prohibit sex-positive education with children. However, this does not diminish the importance and responsibility of caregivers to support their children through a sex-positive lens. I strive to destigmatize discussion of sexuality and sexual health between generations. I encourage age-appropriate, empowering, respectful and informative sex education for all family members, regardless of age and role. 

Shame can impact sexuality in many ways, including sexual dysfunction, performance anxiety, out-of-control sexual behavior, concerns with sexual organs, sexual expression and interests, as well as gender and sexual identity. I work clients to help them unravel shame from their sexuality. I strive to destigmatize sexuality and sexual health while helping clients develop sexual integrity and acceptance.

Like many other aspects of human experience and identity, body image is deeply embedded in sexuality. Working to build an empowering, safe relationship with our sexuality commonly asks for our attention to our relationship with our body, and intuitively, our body image. I work with clients to support them on their journey of body liberation, respect and self-acceptance. I work to dismantle and dispel fatphobia and diet culture with clients.