I want to know your ‘why’.
Are you struggling to navigate a desire discrepancy with your partner/s — but you are committed to deepening your communication for intimacy?
Do you notice your tendency to default to the needs of others in lieu of quieting your own — but you want to develop a better understanding of who you are within a relationship AND want support in managing the distress that arises when you are honest about your needs with your partner/s?
Are you and your partner/s having difficulty navigating the emergence of triggers and stressors from past traumas surfacing in your relationship — but you are committed to approaching each other’s distress from a curious, non-judgmental, and loving position?
My ‘Why’ —
I enjoy working with people who are ready to take charge and control of the change they want to see within their relationships and themselves.
I am passionate about working with clients who exist within this world as queer and trans, sex workers, people of color; clients who are tired of being told what they are and want to write their own narrative.
I believe entering into a therapeutic relationship with clients that I share community with leads toward healing on a social and cultural level.
Areas of Focus.
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I work with clients diagnosed with PTSD, complex PTSD, or no diagnosis who have experienced some level of sexual violence or intimate partner violence.
Experiencing a bodily trauma can temporarily rob a person of their sense of safety within themselves and can create discomfort even when engaging in healthy relationships.
I work with clients to increase awareness of bodily sensations, regulate their nervous systems, and access peace and safety within oneself.
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I take an attachment approach when working with relationships in all configurations. This means I want to explore how early childhood relationships with caregivers or peers has an influence on our adult relationships. Relationships are breeding grounds for unresolved childhood wounds to resurface.
Rather than being afraid of this, I encourage my clients to deepen their exploration to befriend the unsavory feelings of abandonment, the overwhelming need for control, or an overreliance on avoidance.
Whether you are an individual or multiple partners - let’s dig in.
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I welcome clients at any point in their journey - whether you are new to ethical non-monogamy or have been living and loving in relationship structures outside of monogamy for many moons.
Practicing ethical non-monogamy unfortunately does not save us from the pitfalls of compulsive monogamy and cishetero relationship expectations.
I work with clients on navigating feelings of insecurity, inadequacy, and fear so they can show up more grounded and curious to continue exploring themselves and their partners.
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As a sex-positive therapist, I celebrate and affirm all consensual sexual experiences.
Many of us were left to our own devices or peers to help shape our sexual preferences and desires. The lucky ones received comprehensive sex education but I have learned this experience is quite rare for those of us that grew up in the United States.
I work with clients to discover the ways that shame has been intertwined into our sexual practices and desires without allowing shame to control how we want to derive pleasure.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE.
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy, Capella University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of California Santa Cruz
Sex Therapist Certificate with California Institute of Integral Studies
Certified Sex Educator with San Francisco Sex Information
Sexual Assault Advocate with BAWAR, Rape Trauma Services, and UC Berkeley