Sex Affirming Therapy.
Sex Affirming Therapy means honouring variety in sexual expression and gender diversity in a way that is non-pathologizing. I am a sex work advocate, body positive and kink competent and recognize the many ways of having and being in relationships. I am committed to ongoing training in sexology, sex therapy and sex education and seek out AASECT sex therapy supervisors with varied lived experience.
Trauma Responsive.
Trauma responsive therapy aims to cultivate a therapeutic experience that is transparent, trustworthy, collaborative, supportive and as safe as possible. It uses different approaches to help individuals respond, regulate and heal trauma triggers and the underlying issues that contribute to pain, unwanted feelings and behaviors that hurt us and our loved ones.
Pleasure Centred.
I understand pleasure as a spectrum of emotional, physical and spiritual experiences and support the cultivation and embodiment of pleasure in our lives as defined by clients. Pleasure-centred therapy works with individuals and partner(s) who want to explore and prioritize pleasure in their lives---whatever that means to them. This could be learning to navigate pleasure for those living with a chronic illness, experiencing painful sex or feeling distressed about difficulty with desire or arousal. Pleasure can hold so many meanings and is defined by each person uniquely.
Harm Reduction.
Harm reduction is an approach that works toward improving the health and wellness of individuals, partners and communities (as defined BY these individuals, partners and communities); working to minimize harmful effects rather than ignore or condemn them. Harm reduction can be used toward a variety of topics including substance use and sexual “health.”
Intersectional.
An intersectional approach to therapy acknowledges the variety of ways power, race, sexuality, ability, gender, spirituality, on-going colonization, culture and access to resources affect the lived experiences of a person. Using an intersectional lens in my therapy practice means I consider and address the ways larger systems can impact our lives and our wellbeing.