"Each scene has its own music, and the music is created for the scene, woven to it in ways we do not understand. No matter how much we may love the melody of the bygone day or imagine the song of a future one, we must dance with the music of today or we will always be out of step, stumbling around in something that doesn't suit the moment." - Lisa Wingate
My passion and understanding of the complexity and diversity in human sexuality has made this vocation especially fascinating and fulfilling. I work with my clients to foster a creative collaboration to help navigate a path forward.
I believe that everyone has the ability to be whole and continue to evolve regardless of how devastating life has been. With support, courage, willingness and creativity, it is possible to experience love and connection to self and others. Come in and we will work together to help you achieve your goals, get unstuck, or simple take your next breath with more ease. I value humor, creativity, and compassion to help my clients feel comfortable and find an integrative treatment plan that suits their therapeutic goals and personal styles.
Treatment Approach & Specialties
I have a solution-focused, strength-based and trauma informed approach that integrates many modalities. Practicing present moment awareness in combination with Cognitive Behavioral techniques, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and the Wheel of Consent. I also integrate Gina Ogden's 4-D Medicine wheel, somatic processing & narrative techniques for trauma, and mindfulness exercises. My education, training, passion, and experience make it possible for me to help people with many issues related to sex, intimacy, and relationships.
I have always loved helping people explore their life narratives and see how fostering awareness and igniting intentional change can lead to substantial transformations. It has been powerful to witness the effects of how a person's identity and relationships can thrive and heal when they are able to experience and express sexual authenticity, are supported in their sexual, gender or orientation identity, and feel safe and respected in their personal and professional life. My office has been a catalyst for many people to heal and feel whole by truly being supported, accepted, and gently challenged. I am open and affirming to all sexual and gender expressions and honor the individuality of all who come to my office regardless of race, ethnicity, faith, disability, sexual or gender identity. It is my priority that my office is a safe, comfortable, and confidential space for my clients. Therapeutic Modalities :
Body Image Dissatisfaction or Distortion, Self-Esteem & Perfectionism
Education,Training, & Licensure
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and AASECT certified sex therapist (CST) specializing in human sexuality, individual, and couples counseling.
I earned my Masters degree from Washington University in St. Louis, the same university where William Masters and Virginia Johnson pioneered their revolutionary research on the human sexual response and where my education was strongly influenced to support sexual health throughout the life course. My passion for wanting to help people heal, discover and grow their sexual identity and pleasure came to fruition when I was able to open the doors to Intimate Inquiries.
Master of Social Work (MSW) with and Emphasis in Human Sexuality from the University of Washington in St. Louis, MO
BA in Psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder
CUBIC CU Business Intensive Certificateat Leads School of Business at University of Colorado at Boulder
Sex Therapy Education Blended Learning Program at The Beuhler Institute
MEMBERSHIPS National Association of Social Workers NASW American Association of Sex Educators Counselors and Therapist AASECT
SPECIALIZED TRAININGS
Heather Raznick, MSW, LCSW & Linda Weiner, MSW, LCSW, Sexual Attitude Reassessment Workshop (SAR), St. Louis, MO 2014 (10 CEs)
Konstance McCaffree, PhD, How to Address the Unique Needs and Experiences of Gender Fluid and Transgender Clients, St. Louis MO 2014 (1 CEs)
AASECT Summer Institute, Sexual Kaleidoscope: Sexual Expressions for All Abilities St. Louis, MO 2015 (21 CEs)
Matt Collins, MSW, LCSW, Sex Offenders: What Every Social Worker Should Know, St. Louis, MO 2014 (10 CEs)
Susan Stiritz, PhD, MSW, MBA, Sexualities Across the Life Course: Transdisciplinary Problem Solving, Graduate Course St. Louis, MO 2014 (3 CEs)
Judy Lincoff, LCSW, Intervention Approaches for Treating Couples, Graduate Course St. Louis, MO 2015 (3 CEs)
Neil Cannon, Ph.D., LMFT and Heather McPherson, M.A., LMFT, LPC-S, A Strength Based Approach to Working with BDSM & Kinky Clients: A focus on individuals and couples therapy, Denver, CO 2016 (10 AASECT CE's)
Emily Nagoski, Ph.D and Gina Ogden, LMFT, PhD sex therapist and family therapist, Rocky Mountain Sex Summit of Sex and Intimacy, Salt Lake City, UT 2016
Kamara McAndrews, MA, LMFT and Gina Ogden, PhD, LMFT, Expanding the Practice of Sex Therapy: A clinical and creative training for Health Professionals, Esalen Big Sur CA 2016
Professional Development Workshops
Preventing Violence by Addressing Past Trauma
Resolving Ethical Dilemmas in Suicide Prevention
Desensitizing adults to treat phobias & anxiety
CBT for children w/ anxiety disorders
Behavior modification techniques
Balance: integrating personal and professional life
Positive psychology in practice: happiness
Building Effective Teams
Thrive: Food & Weight Issues in the Therapeutic Process
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS I am an active member in the following professional organizations: NASW- National Association of Social Work www.socialworkers.org ABCT -Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies http://www.abct.org AASECT -American Association of Sex Educators Counselors and Therapist https://www.aasect.org AGPA - American Group Psychotherapy Association https://www.agpa.org/home
