Sex Therapy, Training
& Education.
Why I’m here
I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Human Development at Arizona State University and then went on to receive my Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Massachusetts, at Boston. Post family therapy licensure, I became AASECT (American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists) certified as a Sex Therapist and worked with individuals, relationships, and families in private practice in Quincy, Massachusetts for over ten years. In that time, I received AASECT certification as a Supervisor of Sex Therapy, and co-founded a sex therapy agency and training institute where we saw clients in addition to training therapists to become competent, confident sex therapists themselves. I continue to regularly present at various training institutes as well as Universities and therapy agencies across the US.
I truly love this work. I enjoy the challenging adventure of bringing relationships and individuals toward a greater sense of intimacy and a thriving, evolving connection (to self and other(s)) that can grow alongside them. I am inspired by the inevitable transformation of the therapists themselves as they witness and become part of fantastic growth and change in their clients. I believe there is no limit to the knowledge we can gain from looking at the universe of people's lives and relationships; no end point to our curiosity if we let it lead. Consequently, I never tire of learning alongside and training both professionals and fellow sexuality enthusiasts about this incredible area of human life.
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Teaching Experience
Sex Therapy: Moving Toward Certification: Boston University, 10/2012
Sexual Trauma: Healing the Body and Mind: University of Massachusetts at Boston, 6/2018
Sexuality and Couples Therapy: South Shore Sexual Health Center (SSSHC), April '15-'18
Pregnancy and Sex: SSSHC, June '15-present
Sexual Trauma: SSSHC, September '15-present
Learning Theory and Applications to the Practice of Sex Therapy: SSSHC, October '15-present
Intimacy: SSSHC, October '15-'18
Professional Communication: SSSHC, December '15-present
Pedophilia: SSSHC, February '15-'18
Becoming a Sex Therapist: SSSHC, March '15-'18
Advanced Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR): Institute for Sexuality Enlightenment and Education, 6/2016
Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR): SSSHC, August '17-present
Sex Therapy Skills Training Intensives: SSSHC, July & January '15-present
Sensate Focus Fundamentals: SSSHC, June '20-present
The Exceptional Therapist: Institute for Sexuality Enlightenment and Education (ISEE), September '20-present
The Body's Wisdom: Sensate Focus for Sex Therapists: ISEE, October '20-present
Fantasy, Porn, and "Sex Addiction" in Relationships: Private Practice Colloquium, 3/2022
Sensate Focus Certification Program Levels 1 & 2: The Power of Touch: Understanding the Utility and Beauty of the Sensate Focus Model in the Practice of Psychotherapy. ISEE, June '22 - present.
The Joy of Intimacy. ISEE August ‘23 - present.
Sex and Anxiety: SSSHC, April 12, 2024.
Sexual Compulsivity: SSSHC, October 1, 2024.
Range of Sexual Functioning: SSSHC, November 12, 2024.
Publications
Leech, P. (2024). Overcoming Anxiety in Sex and Relationships: A Comprehensive Guide to Intimate and Emotional Freedom. New York: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group.
Leech, P. (2019). Tender is the Heart: Supervising High Impact Emotions During Sex Therapy. In L. L. Charlés & T. S. Nelson (Authors), Family therapy supervision in extraordinary settings: Illustrations of systemic approaches in everyday clinical work. New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
Podcasts & Media
What is Sex Therapy Like? (Sept 2020) Better Sex Podcast. Listen here
Sex and the Survivor (Dec 29, 2020) Beautiful Self Org. Watch here
Demystifying Desire (Feb 9, 2021) Beautiful Self Org. Watch here
A Conversation with Sex Therapist, Paula Leech (April 10, 2021) Love and Healing Podcast. Listen here
Intimacy, Performance, and Desire (April 19, 2021) Love and Healing Podcast. Listen here
Sex, Sexuality, and Mental Health (May 18, 2021) Beautiful Self Org. Watch here
Redefining Sexy: A conversation about sexuality postpartum (Sept 22, 2021) Peanut App Pods.
Communicating Your Sexual Needs to Your Partner (Nov 29, 2021) Peanut App Pods.
Postpartum Sexuality (May 2022) Sex Therapy Podcast. Listen here
Pregnancy and Postpartum Challenges for Sex (Feb 2022) Better Sex Podcast. Listen here
The Danger of “Premature Diagnosis” (April 2022) Our Two Cents Podcast. Listen here
Paula’s Story: Infertility, Grief, and Finding Spirituality (May 2022) Sexvangelicals Podcast. Listen here
Female Pleasure Society Twitter Space:
From Fantasy to Reality (June 2022). Listen here
Vanilla or Kinky? (July 2022). Listen here
Sex and Anxiety (August 25, 2022) Peanut App Pods.
The Importance of Embodiment in the Expression of Sexuality (April 2024) In This Body Podcast. Listen here