Paula Kirsch (she/her)

As part of the LGBTQ community our issues are near and dear to my heart! I love working with "family." Minority stress is real! Many of us have suffered trauma of one kind or another. I believe the "work" that we do to figure out who we are (and how to survive an environment that is often hostile) contributes to our resilience. My internship was at Affirmations LGBT Community Center, where I learned a great deal about the issues we face as a community and how to overcome them,

Originally inspired by Dr. Ruth Westheimer, I knew I wanted to be a sex therapist someday. I just didn't know it was possible. After graduation I learned that I could specialize in sex therapy! So I did! As a graduate of U of M's Sexual Health Certificate Program, I welcome working with people in non-traditional relationships, whether they be open, poly, or "monogamish." I "get you" and honor your path!

As part of the LGBTQ community our issues are near and dear to my heart! I love working with "family." Minority stress is real! Many of us have suffered trauma of one kind or another. I believe the "work" that we do to figure out who we are (and how to survive an environment that is often hostile) contributes to our resilience.I interned at Affirmations LGBT Community Center, where I learned a great deal about the issues we face as a community and how to overcome them.

Originally inspired by Dr. Ruth Westheimer, I knew I wanted to be a sex therapist someday. I just didn't know it was possible. After graduation, I learned that I could specialize in sex therapy! So I did! As a graduate of U of M's Sexual Health Certificate Program, and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, I welcome working with people in non-traditional relationships, whether they be open, polyam, or "monogamish." I "get you" and honor your path!

Originally inspired by Dr. Ruth Westheimer, I knew I wanted to be a sex therapist someday. I just didn't know it was possible. After graduation I learned that I could specialize in sex therapy! So I did! As a graduate of U of M's Sexual Health Certificate Program, I welcome working with people in non-traditional relationships, whether they be open, poly, or "monogamish." I "get you" and honor your path! No "side eye" from me!

As a sex therapist I am often working with couples. So in addition to the sex therapy training, I also have "relationship" training. I really like the Gottman Method for couples counseling because the Gottman's incorporate a lot of theories into their approach. They are down to earth and well researched! Their methods work! My goal is to teach you how to engage in positive, productive dyadic communication, so you won't need me to follow you around and facilitate all of your conversations.

My Masters Degree is in the CBT track. CBT is a type of psychotherapeutic treatment that helps clients understand that their thoughts influence their feelings and that influences their behaviors. This treatment helps clients become aware of negative thoughts, which reinforce negative behaviors. They learn to develop alternative ways of thinking and behaving.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is an action-oriented approach that stems from traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It utilizes acceptance and mindfulness strategies to help the client accept the difficulties that come with life.

My Masters Degree is in the CBT track. CBT is a type of psychotherapeutic treatment that helps clients understand that their thoughts influence their feelings and that influences their behaviors. This treatment helps clients become aware of negative thoughts, which reinforce negative behaviors. They learn to develop alternative ways of thinking and behaving. CBT is found to be an effective treatment for a wide range of disorders including PTSD, phobias, anxiety, and depression.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is an action-oriented approach that stems from traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It utilizes acceptance and mindfulness strategies to help the client accept the difficulties that come with life. I highly recommend "The Illustrated Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living" by Russ Harris. This is a graphic novel illustrating the principles of ACT Therapy, making it easy to understand and implement into your life.

I am currently a Level 2 Gottman practitioner. The Gottman approach includes a thorough assessment of the couple relationship and integrates research-based interventions to help couples cultivate healthy lasting relationships.

EMDR stands for Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy. It is a body mind integrated therapy that has been proven to be highly effective for those who have experienced trauma. I practice somatic an attachment focused EMDR, which allows the client to process distressing memories with less resistance.

I practice somatic and attachment focused EMDR. EMDR therapy is founded on the basis that trauma interferes with our brain’s processing.This incorrect processing that lead to past memories feeling very present. The Bain experiences current related events as if the were the past disturbing event. Processing the original event will eliminate these trigger reactions.