Relationship therapy

I work with relationship-systems (sexual, romantic, or non-sexual in nature) in deepening intimacy, cultivating more meaningful and effective communication, processing issues that may be impacting partners' experiences with one another, safely exploring shared sexuality, and establishing boundaries.  

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. Intersectionality identifies multiple factors of advantage and disadvantage. Examples of these factors include gender identity, sexual identity and orientation, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religion, disability, physical appearance, immigration status, native language, etc. While inequity exists in every relationship, relationship-systems holding diverse identities are more vulnerable to internalized forms of oppression and external discrimination and prejudice. These include sexually-diverse, gender-diverse, neuro-diverse, transnational, interracial, interfaith and inter-abled relationship-systems. I work with relationship-systems through a lens informed by Intersectionality, Critical Race theory, Queer theory, Racial Justice, Disability Justice and Reproductive principles, and Health at Every Size®. Utilizing these frameworks and principles allow me to help partners understand where power is held in their relationship, where oppression exists in their relationship, how oppression is experienced and how to dismantle white supremacy and establish justice and equity in their relationship. 

I work with relationship-systems to help them explore their kink and BDSM interests. 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, medicalized and pathologized by society. I abide by the Kink Core Competencies and I support the Sexual Freedom Resolution, which stands against discrimination by professionals in the field of sexuality and sexual health. 

Sexual desire refers to sexual thoughts and sexual urges that motivates someone to seek out sexual satisfaction. Sexual desire may encompass a desire to meet both physical and emotional needs. Mismatched desire refers to the discrepancy between sexual desire and actual frequency of sexual activity. Mismatched desire is a common experience for relationship-systems, not because one partner or the other is experiencing a physical, psychological, or sexual difficulty, but due to the evolving natural of sexual relationships. However, mismatched desire may negatively impact relationship-systems on a deeper level when at least one partner is experiencing distress from the discrepancy between sexual desire and actual frequency of sexual activity. I work with relationship-systems to assess, identity, address, process and treat mismatched sexual desire.

Sexual and reproductive concerns refers to an expanded understanding of sexual dysfunction. Relationship-systems experiencing sexual and reproductive concerns are impacted by several factors (Physiological, psychological, and sociocultural.). Physiological factors that may impact sexual function: Chronic illnesses, aging, hormonal changes, perimenopause, and body response to medical treatment. Psychological factors that may impact sexual function include: Depression and other mood disorders, anxiety disorders, OCD and related disorders, eating disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders and trauma. Sociocultural factors that may impact sexual function include: Relational conflict, acute stressors, partner sexual dysfunction, presence of erotophobic beliefs, fears connected to sex, quality of intimacy and power dynamics. Common sexual and reproductive concerns include: Painful sex, concerns with orgasming, out-of-control sexual behavior, erectile dysfunction, and concerns with sexual interest and arousal. I work with relationship-systems to assess, identity, address, process and treat sexual and reproductive concerns.