Sexual Identity

For anyone who is experiencing a transition in their gender and/or sexual identity. Our culture still operates under a binary view of female or male gender and a limited understanding of sexual identities. The reality is that both gender and sexuality are fluid for most people. We can work together to help understand your identities and how they interrelate. I also work with sexual concerns.

In a world where sex is simultaneously shamed and commodified, there's a lot of messages to sort through to get to the roots of your own thoughts and feelings about sex. Sexuality is often that final frontier of emotional wellness that people don't ask about and yet it is so integral to feeling whole, grounded, and truly seen. It is an extremely courageous act to explore your own sexuality, but it is needed and soulful work in service of having the relationships you want and deserve.

For clients who don't necessarily identify with "mainstream" ideas about sexuality, having a therapist who understands where they are coming from and brings sex positivity can make all the difference.

I am a queer woman. This is my lived experience. I pride myself on learning as much as I can about other people's queer/LGBTQIA+ lived experiences. You deserve a therapist who sees you and understands you for who you are.

Your sexuality is complex, exciting and worth exploring if you want to. Everyone deserves a safe space to examine their sexuality. Whether you're newly curious about your identity or you're well versed in unpacking it, I am so excited to explore with you. My favorite part of being queer is the ability to write your own rules and decide what each element of queerness means to you, AND that can be really intimidating. You're not alone, we're in this together!

I was clinical Director of one of only 4 LGBT mental health agencies licensed to provide services to the community in 1991 which brought me from Boston to Portland.

Prior to becoming a licensed therapist, I was a Peer Counselor to others living with HIV. I have been HIV positive for 23 years and have worked with all kinds of folks around sexual health and sexual identity. I am currently working toward certification in Sex Therapy and Sex Educator through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT).

Nothing is so nefarious as the bully that we find installed inside ourselves. I have experience working with people in the coming out process and working to resolve the internalized homophobia that we're not often aware of. I also have lived experience in this area.

A client's sexuality is a key component in many relational and individual issues. Whether you identify as lesbian, gay, straight, bi, trans, queer, asexual or any variation thereof, your sexuality is a major factor in determining your preferences and sexual behaviors. Sexuality is about your sexual identity, about the gender roles you carry with you, and the "scripts" you learned from family, religion, society and significant others. All of these factors have contributed to your understanding of sexual expression. Sometimes, these interconnecting parts do not fit well together and can cause distress in your life. I believe one of my primary roles is to help you find out how to rework pieces of your sexual identity, your social conditioning and your sexual preferences so that you can feel integrated and content in your experience of your sexuality.

I have extensive experience working with LGBTQ+ folx. I am a sex positive and kink, ethically non-monogamous and polyamorous aware therapist. As a queer person myself I bring my authentic self to session with clients.

Sexuality and gender are fluid. We may have been raised to believe we are something that we know deep inside we are not. I work with clients find and embrace their true identity

Many of us in the LGB community have felt alone in our feelings, or unable to verbalize our truth out of fear of rejection, shame, and violence. Art Therapy and Sex Therapy are empowering. The art says what we sometimes cannot. Developing a healthy therapeutic relationship with your counselor is validating and can serve to help you find the courage to be your true self in the world.

Sex positive and experienced in helping clients explore their sexual identity, attractions, kinks, and unmet interpersonal needs

Despite being a member of the LGBTQ community, I sought specific training to become a competent therapist for same. I have worked as a clinician in two LGBTQ centers and served as an advisor to a high school LGBTQ club. I am a member of Gaylesta, the Psychotherapist Association for Gender and Sexual Diversity.

I hold experience with the LGBTQ2IA+ community both professionally and personally. In a professional context, this has included support for clients in discovering and affirming their sexualities and gender identities, support through life transitions such as coming out to friends or family, and support working through internalized homophobia or transphobia. I have also attended numerous trainings on sexual and gender identity and have completed several years of academic coursework.

As a gay man who grew up in a religious community, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to come to terms with one's sexual identity. That is why I am dedicated to providing a supportive space for individuals who are struggling to accept and embrace their sexual identity.

I am a part of the LGBTQIA+ population myself and I have a passion for helping clients explore and define their sexuality and be their most authentic selves.

I often let clients know that sex therapy is like any other form of therapy with the addition of an “open door” to explore topics related to sexuality and intimacy with a highly trained and knowledgeable professional. Some clients walk through this door every session, some with some frequency, and some never at all depending on what they are looking for.