Sex-Positive, Kink Allied Therapists in Whittier, Minneapolis, MN
Therapy is a creative, collaborative relationship. As a therapist passionate about process, I am here to collaborate with you to cultivate the life you want to live. I am not here to fix you; you are not broken. We will work together to find new ways for you to be in relationship with the problems and the joys in your life. If you are ready to step into a curious, process-oriented journey, then I am here to offer a safe, supportive space to do just that. Let’s get curious about how to create more room for pleasure, joy, and connection as well as for the uncomfortable, tender parts of your life.
Therapy is a creative, collaborative relationship. As a therapist passionate about process, I am here to collaborate with you to cultivate the life you want to live. I am not here to fix you; you are not broken. We will work together to find new ways for you to be in relationship with the problems and the joys in your life. If you are ready to step into a curious, process-oriented journey, then I am here to offer a safe, supportive space to do just that. Let’s get curious about how to create more room for pleasure, joy, and connection as well as for the uncomfortable, tender parts of your life.
I have over 39 years experience providing therapeutic services to clients of all ages and with a variety of mental disorders. I am passionate about engaging with clients to help them find their highest potential of health and wholeness. I use a client-centered approach, letting the client determine their own path, identifying strengths and roadblocks, searching for more adaptive coping strategies. I am eager to be your personal coach. I will join you on your journey of examining where you are today and how to reach your aspirations. Together we can examine relationships, professional as well as spiritual goals.
I have over 39 years experience providing therapeutic services to clients of all ages and with a variety of mental disorders. I am passionate about engaging with clients to help them find their highest potential of health and wholeness. I use a client-centered approach, letting the client determine their own path, identifying strengths and roadblocks, searching for more adaptive coping strategies. I am eager to be your personal coach. I will join you on your journey of examining where you are today and how to reach your aspirations. Together we can examine relationships, professional as well as spiritual goals.
Helena LaFave
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LICSW
Whittier, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Waitlist for new clients
My values in therapy include queer and trans-affirming care, fat-affirming care, neurodivergent-affirming care, and sex positive approaches.
My areas of clinical expertise are trauma with a special focus on religious trauma, queer identity, and anxiety and depression. I utilize parts work, which is the idea that we are all made up of different parts of ourselves. During our sessions, I prioritize curiosity around who these parts are and what makes them feel safe.
My values in therapy include queer and trans-affirming care, fat-affirming care, neurodivergent-affirming care, and sex positive approaches.
My areas of clinical expertise are trauma with a special focus on religious trauma, queer identity, and anxiety and depression. I utilize parts work, which is the idea that we are all made up of different parts of ourselves. During our sessions, I prioritize curiosity around who these parts are and what makes them feel safe.
I work with individuals and couples navigating sexual health concerns, trauma, perimenopause/PMDD, emotion regulation, and interpersonal challenges. Many of these experiences can feel isolating or difficult to discuss. I provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients can explore their experiences openly. Together, we work to understand patterns, build resilience, develop healthier coping strategies, and create greater balance in life and relationships. My goal is to help clients move toward meaningful change, increased self-awareness, and a stronger sense of well-being.
I work with individuals and couples navigating sexual health concerns, trauma, perimenopause/PMDD, emotion regulation, and interpersonal challenges. Many of these experiences can feel isolating or difficult to discuss. I provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients can explore their experiences openly. Together, we work to understand patterns, build resilience, develop healthier coping strategies, and create greater balance in life and relationships. My goal is to help clients move toward meaningful change, increased self-awareness, and a stronger sense of well-being.
Welcome. It's Your Time to Take Care of You. Address being the real you, codependency, procrastination, impacts of oppression and trauma, self-criticism, anxiety, imposter syndrome, political stress, or perfectionism. Increase your assertiveness, coping strategies, communication, and boundary-setting skills and goals. Improve mindfulness and life-work balance. I will combine my compassion, openness, and attentiveness with my 29+ years of experience, training, and knowledge. I offer a soft-landing space to help you foster your personal insight and well-being. A relaxed, confidential space where you are welcome to be your whole self.
Welcome. It's Your Time to Take Care of You. Address being the real you, codependency, procrastination, impacts of oppression and trauma, self-criticism, anxiety, imposter syndrome, political stress, or perfectionism. Increase your assertiveness, coping strategies, communication, and boundary-setting skills and goals. Improve mindfulness and life-work balance. I will combine my compassion, openness, and attentiveness with my 29+ years of experience, training, and knowledge. I offer a soft-landing space to help you foster your personal insight and well-being. A relaxed, confidential space where you are welcome to be your whole self.
You may feel exhausted by the constant thoughts about food, body image, control, or self-worth. Maybe your eating disorder began as a way to cope, stay safe, feel in control, or manage overwhelming emotions...but now it feels like it’s taken over your life. What people see on the outside may not match the disconnection, anxiety, and shame you feel on the inside. Many of the clients I work with have spent years criticizing themselves, minimizing their pain, or feeling disconnected from their bodies and emotions.
You may feel exhausted by the constant thoughts about food, body image, control, or self-worth. Maybe your eating disorder began as a way to cope, stay safe, feel in control, or manage overwhelming emotions...but now it feels like it’s taken over your life. What people see on the outside may not match the disconnection, anxiety, and shame you feel on the inside. Many of the clients I work with have spent years criticizing themselves, minimizing their pain, or feeling disconnected from their bodies and emotions.
Nearby Sex-Positive & Kink-Friendly Therapists Searches for Whittier, Minneapolis
- Calhoun
- Central
- Downtown West
- East Isles
- Loring Park
- Lowry Hill
- Lowry Hill East
- Phillips
- Powderhorn Park
- Stevens Square
- Uptown
- Ventura Village
Sex-Positive, Kink Allied Therapists
Why might an individual want to see a sex-positive, kink-allied therapist?
A sex-positive or kinky individual may want to see a sex-positive, kink-allied therapist because the client may feel safer and more supported discussing their experiences and challenges. A therapist who identifies as kink-friendly will have experience with clients having diverse sexual preferences and will likely be nonjudgmental and supportive about issues brought to the table. It is important to note that sex-positive, kink-allied individuals may find equal success with therapists who do not have such specialized knowledge and background. The most important factor in the success of therapy is for the client and practitioner to form a strong, trusting bond.
Do therapists have special training to gain expertise in sex-positive, kink-allied treatment?
Generally, no. There are limited training programs and unofficial accreditations that therapists can pursue, but a therapist’s expertise will ultimately come from their previous experience with similar clients, their engagement with organizations that promote sex positivity or kink-allied lifestyles, and the importance they place on safety and cultural sensitivity.
How can individuals recognize a good sex-positive, kink-allied therapist?
An experienced therapist is able to help clients explore their sexual identity and expression and relieve any discomfort or stigma attached to discussing such matters and the client’s overall challenges. A therapist who is sex-positive and kink-allied is able to create an environment that honors a client’s experience and sexual preferences. To recognize a good therapist, clients can simply ask directly about topics and issues important to them and gauge their comfort level and connection with a clinician based on the responses.
Can clients benefit from having a therapist with a focus on sex positivity and alternative sexual lifestyles?
Some individuals may feel most comfortable knowing that the clinician they’re working with has a commitment to creating an atmosphere of sex positivity and has experience with relationship diversity and alternative relationship structures. Working with a sex-positive, kink-allied therapist may help clients respect their own challenges and improve identity-affirming treatment.