sex-positive Therapy
In order to understand what is meant by “Sex-Positive,” it’s helpful to have an understanding of what it is not. Our culture is dominated by what we believe are sex-negative messages. This starts with a lack of comprehensive sex education in our schools and often leads to all sorts of negative consequences. One of those consequences is that it can be difficult to find a provider (mental health or physical health) who is competent to discuss anything impacting your sex life.
Are you (or your partner) experiencing a sexual functioning concern - like unwanted pain during sex, changes happening within the body that are impacting your sex life, or something else about sex/sexuality that you are needing to talk about?
A sex-positive therapist offers a space for you to discuss anything impacting your sexual identity or your sexual expression without judgement or criticism. Like the word “feminist,” there are all sorts of ways in which people define themselves as “sex-positive.” In our practice, we view sex-positivity as an antidote to the shame often experienced by living in a sex-negative culture. We believe that all sexual behaviors between fully consenting adults are legitimate expressions of the erotic imagination.
When addressing your sexual issues or concerns, your therapist may make suggestions for you to see another provider for any physical aspects that are impacting your sexual satisfaction in addition to your work together in therapy. This can be difficult sometimes if you’ve had negative experiences in the past where your pain was not properly addressed or validated.
“I have been to several doctors and specialists and they’ve all said that everything looks normal and it must be in my head.” This is the heartbreaking story that practice owner, Jamie Brazell, has heard time and again from patients wanting to address vulva pain. Many people are shocked to learn that most gynecologists and urologists have little to no training in human sexuality. The focus tends to be on pathologies like cancer or on reproductive health only.
At Out of the Woods Therapy, we have taken the time to build relationships with medical providers in the community who have proven that they are trauma-informed and sex-positive. We listen to the feedback of our clients and collaborate with these other practitioners in order to give the best quality care possible. Whether you are addressing unwanted pain during sex or another sexual functioning concern that impacts your sex life, we know who to send you to for validation of your experience and to provide options for a treatment plan.
Out of the Woods Therapy owner, Jamie Brazell
is a Certified Sex Therapist (CST) and Sex Therapy Supervisor (CST-S) through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). In addition to her therapy practice, Jamie offers community based sex education in various platforms, supervision for therapists who are working towards AASECT certification as a Supervisor-in-Training, and holds a position as an adjunct professor at Converse University’s Masters in Marriage & Family Therapy program.
photo of Jamie Brazell by Ariel Shumaker