The privilege of a lifetime is to
become who you truly are.
- Carl Jung
Sex-Positive Therapy
Many people seek therapy with issues and concerns related to sexuality and sexual identity. Are you a survivor of sexual trauma whose experiences have interfered with your ability to enjoy your sexuality and have positive sexual experiences with others? Are you a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and you want to ensure that your identity is respected and affirmed in treatment? Do you identify as “kinky” and worry that disclosing your sexual preferences will result in being pathologized and labelled sexually unhealthy? Are you polyamorous or ethically non-monogamous and wanting to process issues related to relationships in a space that is free of judgment?
I am a sex-positive, LGBTQIA+ affirmative, polyamory-friendly and kink-informed therapist. I am passionate about helping clients with issues regarding sexuality and sexual identity, and I welcome all clients regardless of their sexual orientations, preferences, practices, identities, and relationship styles.
I am sex-positive.
Sex positivity means being respectful and affirming of all sexual, gender, body, and relationship identities, expressions, experiences, and orientations. Sex-positive therapy is incredibly important in supporting healthy sexual development, especially in mainstream Western society, where the traditional view of sex is overwhelmingly heteronormative, oppressive, hierarchical, and sex-shaming. Sex positivity celebrates sexual diversity, differing desires and relationship structures, and individual choices based on consent between or among partners.
Everyone can benefit from exploring their sexuality in a non-judgmental way. Sex-positive therapy affirms your sexuality, without making it the sole focus of your treatment. You can work out issues you have around sexuality, without being pressured to change your identity, or feeling that how you feel is “wrong.” By accepting and normalizing sexual desires and behaviors rather than pathologizing them, we can live more congruently and authentically.
I am LGBTQIA+ affirming.
LGBTQIA+ is an acronym used to describe either a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity, and it is an inclusive term used to describe a community of people who don’t identify as heterosexual and cisgender. LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy embraces a positive view of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, non-binary and gender non-conforming identities and relationships, and actively addresses the negative influences that homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism have on the lives of clients in this community. I am knowledgeable about the challenges that people in this community face, and I am dedicated to providing a safe and affirming environment to every client who walks through my door.
I am polyamory-friendly and kink-informed.
Polyamory/ethical non-monogamy and kink/BDSM have become increasingly visible over the past several years, but that doesn’t mean that all therapists are competent in treating clients with diverse sexual identities and practices. Clients often worry about talking to a therapist about kink, fetishes and/or BDSM, or about sharing that they are polyamorous/ethically non-monogamous. They may be fearful that they will be judged or for their sexual preferences and practices, or that they will have to spend time educating their therapist about them rather than focusing on the issues that bring them to therapy.
I am knowledgeable and informed about both polyamory/ethical non-monogamy and kink/BDSM, and I love working with clients who belong to these communities. I create an affirming and non-judgmental space for people to share openly and honestly about themselves. I am familiar with the many different kinds of “non-traditional” relationship styles and configurations that can healthily exist between multiple people, and I don't assume that clients are monogamous by default. I recognize that sexuality is diverse and varied, and that there are many ways to find pleasure and satisfaction in consensual romantic and sexual relationships and practices.
If you are interested in sex-positive therapy and you live in Claremont, Upland, Pomona, La Verne, San Dimas, Glendora, Rancho Cucamonga, or one of the other surrounding cities in the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire, contact me to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation and learn more about how I can help.