Sex-Positive, Kink Allied Therapists in Beverly Hills, CA

I am a down-to-earth and compassionate therapist who enjoys working in collaboration with my clients to empower them to reach their therapeutic goals. Whether you find yourself struggling to cope with the added challenges of the pandemic, are arguing with your partner(s)/family/friends/coworkers more than you’d like to, or are unsatisfied with your sex life, I am here to be your partner in healing and will walk with you in your journey every step of the way. I have helped clients work through clinical concerns such as depression, anxiety, self-esteem, family discord, relationship distress, premarital counseling, sexuality, and more.

CA Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFC #50718), Pepperdine Malibu MFT human sexuality professor, Western Region past president and past board of directors member for the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS) with a Doctor of Human Sexuality degree (D.H.S.) from the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (IASHS). My philosophy is centered on empathetic, sex-positive support with a special emphasis on pleasure enhancement. People deserve erotic fulfillment within their relationships & a place to explore ways to live a more authentic & enjoyable sexual lifestyle free of guilt, shame, & self-judgment.

Stephanie specializes in couples work, integrating Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT) with Family Systems Theory and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT). She has helped couples in the areas of effective communication, trust-building and infidelity recovery, enhanced sex life, co-parenting, and creating a more meaningful connection. Her approach is both LGBTQIA affirmative and sex positive . She also works with individuals from a wide range of cultural and life-stage backgrounds assisting with challenges including anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, grief and loss, identity exploration, sexual challenges, women’s issues, and trauma.

Have you ever felt like you don’t belong? Are you shy? Do you feel anxious when trying to make new friends or in social settings? Do you self-identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community? Would you like to explore how to communicate with others more effectively? Are you interested in exploring polyamory, consensual non-monogamy, or kink ? I may be the therapist for you. I am supervised by Dr. Katherine Smith (LMFT#115452).

I believe that every human has the right to achieve full sexual citizenship, incorporating sexual expression, sexual health and well being, no matter their age, gender, physical limitations or sexual preferences.

I work with individuals or couples of any gender or orientation who seek help for sexual relationship issues. These issues are not limited to, but include arousal and orgasm, sexual desire, compulsive sexual behavior, masturbation issues, premature or delayed ejaculation, pain during sexual activity and psychological issues around monogamy, infidelity, boredom and wanting a change in one's sexual repertoire. The goal is often increased eroticism, heightened intimacy, and decreased anxiety during sex. My aim is for you to overcome the problems that result from negative feelings and behaviors and to achieve your full sexual potential.

My specialty and passion is therapy for intimacy, couples, sexual dysfunctions, and relationship concerns. I work with individuals and couples who have difficulties adapting to the dynamics of an intimate relationship. This can be the result of traumatic experiences, the need for personal exploration, and/or sexual dysfunctions. The clients I typically work with are disappointed with their relationship and/or sex life, they may have experienced betrayal, they might avoid sex because it’s painful, stressful, or anxiety-producing, or want to expand their sex horizons (e.g., Kink , Vanilla, BDSM, etc.).

I work with trauma, relationship issues, sexuality concerns, chronic health problems, low self esteem, perfectionism, and anxiety. My approach is depth oriented and Psychodynamically influenced, meaning we look (collaboratively) for origins of your present experience. With deeper insight, we are better equipped to make and accept change. I find this to be particularly nourishing for deep shyness, trauma, and those who identify as Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs). As an LGBTQIA+ allied clinician, I am kink /poly friendly and feel passionate about helping people thrive in their preferred lifestyle.

Do you ever feel that you are wandering aimlessly within your life as though your internal compass is broken? Maybe this means feeling no sense of security within yourself, struggling with setting boundaries when you know you need to but maybe feel guilty, or even feeling powerless within yourself. Everyone deserves to feel loved, accepted and secure within themselves and to experience the freedom that comes with that. If you want to manifest your personal power and come into your next evolution as a person, i would love to go on that journey with you. Sex Worker Positive! Kink Friendly! Non-Traditional Relationships! LGBTQ Ally!

Are past traumatic experiences, being an adult child of a dysfunctional home, incest survival experiences, addiction issues, phobia, panic, anxiety, C-PTSD or depression affecting your success? Are distractions impacting your optimal performance abilities at work, in your intimate relationships, or in relationships with family members or with yourself? Are you surviving instead of thriving? I provide accelerated psychotherapy for individuals and couples who are challenged by performance loss and emotional unhappiness. Also offer Diagnosis evaluation for addiction, mood, personality, and adult Autism spectrum. HSP and Kink friendly.

Are you hoping to reignite desire and reconnect with parts of yourself you feel you may have lost? Or are you and your partner working through a betrayal, or a discrepancy in desire? Or perhaps, you are seeking support around sexual issues such as erectile dysfunction, vaginismus, or pain during sex? You are all welcome and in the right place.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) with certification from the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP). After graduating from UCLA with a degree in Sociology, concentrating in Conversational Analysis, I earned my Master's in Social Work from USC, concentrating in Business and Social Work in Global Communities. Prior to becoming Clinical Director at Center for Sexual Integrity, I served as the Associate Clinical Director at Center for Healthy Sex, working closely with one of the most respected authorities in the field, Dr. Alexandra Katehakis.

I am passionate about working with people who have experienced trauma. As a person centered and trauma-informed therapist, I work to create a safe and judgment-free space where my client and I can walk along their healing journey together, gaining insight, learning coping skills, and building resiliency along the way.

*Now seeing patients in-person in Beverly Hills or virtually across California. I believe that most people can benefit from therapy at some point in their lives. Whether you struggle with persistent, troubling thoughts or feelings, are overwhelmed by events that are out of your control or just want to get in touch with a deeper sense of meaning and purpose in your life, therapy can help. I specialize in perfectionism, complex trauma, grief and loss, anxiety and depression.

*Accepting New Clients Currently* I work with adolescents, adults, and couples that struggle with life transitions, childhood trauma, disordered eating/ movement, and negative body image. In a healing pandemic, it can be stressful to think about seeing people again and coping with negative thoughts about your body or worrying about others' judgments. You are probably feeling down, overwhelmed, and exhausted from the continuous anxiety.

Welcome to our practice. We have several terrific clinicians in Beverly Hills and DTLA who are privileged to work with individuals, couples and families. Our style is focused on helping you understand your development in a way that allows you to become unstuck from your concerns. Our common sense approach is aimed at helping you gain insight into your past and present, enabling you to make healthier choices about your present and future. We treat a range of concerns, and are available to work with you in many languages. It is important to us that you feel like you can be understood, on every level.

Let's find a way for you to reach your highest potential. A Low self-esteem, lack of coping skills, negative behaviors, unhealthy thinking patterns can make you feel debilitated. I understand how difficult this can be, especially when anxiety starts to get in the way of your daily life. I tailor my holistic treatment plans to each individual client. I focus on creating healthy coping mechanisms, finding solutions, and on connecting all of the dots. PLEASE E-MAIL me first, to schedule a phone consultation :)

I understand therapy to be a collaborative process and I aim to establish a meaningful, trusting, and authentic relationship with every client. I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in anxiety / mood disorders, trauma, family conflict and relational distress, as well as borderline personality disorder. I help clients learn to manage difficult emotions, increase self-esteem, and enhance relationships. I also incorporate mindfulness to reduce stress and help you participate fully in each present moment. My goal is to instill hope by identifying areas of strength, resilience, and capacity for positive change.

I became a psychotherapist as part of an overall commitment to exploring the many different paths to healing and wellbeing. My style is warm, collaborative, flexible and respectful. The goal is to have the best possible experience of living. We cannot accomplish that by rewriting our history, yet together you and I can engage in a process where we understand what your past means to you and the impact it has on your current behaviors and relationships, in order to make space for new meanings and new responses to things and a better experience of living.

Are you someone that has learned to hide your anxiety or depression? I work from the present, focusing on the behaviors, patterns, and habits that bring emotional upset and dysregulation. My therapeutic style is empathetic, compassionate and straightforward. Let's work towards positive change. I am currently accepting new clients and I offer direct, confidential, easy online booking. Currently offering Telehealth and visits to your home or office in select areas. Please visit my website, jeffreylawton.com. I also accept calls/texts on (415) 650-9900. I look forward to connecting with you.