What I
teach.

This supervision group was designed for clinicians who want to reflect on the countertransference that arises in complex relational and sexual scenarios — mixed-orientation partnerships, partner transition, opening conversations about non-monogamy, and the moments where 'neutral therapeutic stance' breaks down.

Therapy isn't a neutral process. Our internal landscape shapes the questions we ask, the topics we pursue or avoid, and the ways we understand each client's sexuality. This group offered space to look behind the curtain of our own work — to name our biases, sit with them, and become better equipped to show up with integrity for our clients.

Co-facilitated with Dr. Jared Boot-Haury, PsyD, ABPP, CST-S — queer licensed clinical psychologist, AASECT-certified Sex Therapist & Supervisor, kink- and poly-affirming clinician. Featured in AskMen, Scientific American, and Newsweek.

Hosted at SheBop in Portland — a workshop on how performance pressure shapes desire, arousal, and partnered sex, and what it looks like to step out of it. Designed for the curious public, not clinicians.

We receive communication from much more than our thoughts in the therapy room. Memories, sensations, gut instincts, mental imagery — these channels carry wisdom we already partner with as we make connections and find break-through moments. The question is how deeply we can trust them, especially in clinical training programs that frame this kind of information as intrusion or counter-transference to be managed.

This course aided clinicians in tapping into and gleaning utility from the information other aspects of 'self' communicate outside of theoretical scaffolding. Through personal reflection and case examination, participants linked intuition back to the art of sex therapy — learning to differentiate the memories that block client connection from the ones that illuminate pathways toward healing.

How do we treat erectile dysfunction, sexual pain, vaginismus, rapid ejaculation, low desire, difficulties with arousal and orgasm? How do we bring clients out of performance narratives and into their bodies? How do we unravel clients from sexual trauma into greater emotional and physical safety, embodiment, and freedom?

Training to become a Sex Therapist means learning the intimate relationship between body and mind. Day-to-day stress, deep trauma, attachment wounds, sociocultural factors, insecurity, and relational discord can all interfere with arousal and lead to sexual discomfort or dysfunction. Sensate Focus aids the clinician in identifying these barriers and engaging them through prescribed at-home touch exercises — each building on the next, bringing the client into closer contact with themselves, their partner, and possibility.

Students learn the origins of Sensate Focus as a game-changing technique, gain an in-depth understanding of its conceptual underpinnings and usefulness as a diagnostic tool, and leave equipped to fit it into their practice and prescribe the exercises effectively.

Our thoughts and feelings about sex play a huge role in how we approach clients — and our personal relationships. As a culture, we're constantly internalizing and reacting to a wide range of sexual behavior, prejudice, preference, and lifestyle. A SAR is designed to inundate participants with sexual material in order to bring awareness to areas of discomfort or bias, and through exploration and discussion, ease the participants into greater comfort and confidence.

Guest speakers, experiential exercises, media, and journaling are all included. The two-day course is not only educational but emotional — participants connect with parts of themselves that can bring up vulnerability in all forms. It's a tremendous experience of learning and growth for therapists, partners, educators, medical professionals, or anyone interested in expanding their sexual self-awareness.

Hosted at SSSHealthCenter — visit ssshealthcenter.com to purchase a seat.

Struggling to manage the fear, anxiety, and confusion that comes with a child's sexual development? Or an educator or therapist noticing the body curiosity that accompanies early childhood? Not sure how to begin the lifelong conversation about sexual health and wellness?

Kristin Hambridge LICSW and Paula Leech LMFT-CST are sex therapists and educators — with children of their own — who help you take back 'the talk' through comprehensive sex education, tools for navigating caregiver modeling, and judgment-free space for any and all questions.

Take back: the power to understand sexual development at each stage · your own sex education and fill the gaps · the ability to connect with your child over uncomfortable topics · your own fears around masturbation, nudity, pornography, unsafe touch, and peer sex-play · your anxiety, and the ability to respond in-the-moment with a clear head and open heart · your partnered relationship as a model of healthy intimacy · the ability to unconditionally support your child's gender expression and sexual orientation.