Sexuality & Gender Expression
"It's hard to keep an open mind if you don't have an open heart." —Adam Grant
Navigating sexuality and gender identity is complex and unique among human experiences. Both gender identity (how we perceive and present our gender) and sexuality (how and to whom we express intimate physical desire) are central aspects of life that can be transformative, life-affirming sources of vitality and satisfaction.
But they can also be sources of intense conflict, problems, questions, and dissatisfactions, stemming from both internal and external sources. The difficulty may begin with self-questioning or with facing obstacles and difficulty from family or in the workplace. There may be a diminishment in an individual's level of desire. Partners may be out of sync in their intimate life. A history of sexual abuse or trauma may be creating difficulty in intimate relationships. Partners may lose their sexual spark. The challenge may be navigating an open relationship or pushing back against some desires that partners do not fully share.
I can provide a nonjudgmental, supportive space for people to talk about sexual, intimate, and gender identity difficulties. In my practice I take into consideration that LGBTQ+ people face common experiences of discrimination and marginalization that may have an outsize impact on their psychological well-being. As there is great variation and diversity in both the LGBTQ+ and the heteronormative populations, I work to address each person’s unique and individual needs and identity. In this safe environment, people can feel comfortable exploring their challenges, and I can provide compassionate guidance, empowering each person to make healthy intimate choices and develop confidence in expressing authentic sexuality and gender identity