Sex Therapy in New York, NY

For oppressed people to intentionally cultivate pleasure is an act of resistance - Ingrid LaFleur. My clinical identity is supporting clients seeking culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, poly & kink-friendly, and queer-affirming therapists. My intersecting identities offer me the ability to connect with clients that identify as people of color, immigrants, polyamorous, kink-positive, LGBTQ+, or clients who hold identities altogether different than or similar to my own. Curiosity and awareness are the cornerstones of what informs my work as a therapist.

Experienced, training, and rapport are important in choosing a Psychotherapist. I am a Senior Psychologist with a 5-star patient satisfaction rating, through decades of work with people of different background and issues. This include problems with anxiety, depression, sex relationship and work difficulties. I have been a full-time instructor in Developmental psychology at Adelphi University, City University, and taught at Psychotherapy institutes. I have also been a Senior Psychologist in hospital settings.

Are you someone that has lost a level of intimacy you once had? How painful is it to experience loneliness when you are with your partner? Do you feel like you avoid connection or that when you try to communicate you end up misunderstood and frustrated? If you have sex , does it feel disconnected? Do you wonder why sex doesn’t happen more often because it has felt so good in the past? Are you questioning your future and wondering if this negative cycle will ever end?

Being a psychologist in New York City means that I see clients from every walk of life, which is a welcoming experience for me, and one I am well equipped to handle due to my own unique cultural background. The issues addressed by my clients and I vary, however, when you come to see me you can expect a sex positive, kink friendly, and culturally sensitive therapeutic experience. I am bilingual and I do sessions in Yiddish and English. I am looking forward to working with you!

You may be experiencing a period of mental unrest and uncertainty. When you have the space and willingness to reflect on past traumas and experiences to understand their impact on your current circumstances, you gain a new awareness that often leads to powerful insights. As a licensed clinical psychologist who understands the need for inner healing first, it is my goal to support you in identifying core sources of pain, confusion, fear, and stress in order to get to the root cause of the issue. By working with you to form a deeper sense of clarity, I am able to guide you in taking the next steps along your journey of healing.

My focus is adults who are struggling with a sexual issue. I want to help people of all kinds; people of all genders, people of all races, people of all sexual orientations (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual and asexual), people in all kinds of relationships (polyamorous, monogamous) and people with varied ability-levels. I consider myself to be honest, knowledgeable, wise and confident. Additionally, I identify as a deaf Black woman. It should be noted that I lost my hearing as an adult and I wear an implant, thus my communication skills are excellent, and I can hear quite well.

“I’m going to push you, and you should push back at me.” My aim for our therapeutic relationship is to build a safety, but not a sense of complacency. You have already decided to make a change, let’s consciously pursue that. I utilize an integrative therapeutic approach that borrows from cognitive-behavioral, narrative and psychodynamic techniques.

I received my doctorate in psychology at Yeshiva University-Albert Einstein College of Medicine and did advanced, post-doctoral training at Downstate Medical Center in the Couples Therapy and Human Sexuality Program. I have over 20 years experience working successfully with adults in individual and couples therapy. My approach is active, gentle and professional with an open-minded and non-judgmental style. I am experienced in a variety of therapeutic modalities and techniques. including using short-term therapy with good results, I am able to tailor my method to each person’s needs.

I work from a trauma-focused, strengths-based somatic and relational perspective to help you release shame via self-compassion. I view even the coping mechanisms that make us feel the most stuck as examples of our bodies’ incredible resiliency & drive to keep us safe. Within the therapeutic dynamic, I seek to help you identify and unlearn harmful cultural conditioning and, with the courage of authenticity, uncover your own innate wisdom. To me, therapy is a place where we can explore creative self-expression and practice intentional relationship building in order to live more authentic, joyful, and embodied lives.

Welcome to my page! I'm glad you're here. The decision to seek out therapy often happens during a particularly difficult moment in life. Whatever has brought you to seek out therapy, it should feel like a safe environment where you are treated as the greatest expert of your own life experience. I bring extensive knowledge of LGBTQ+ communities, as well as expertise on the unique issues faced by non-monogamous people, sex workers, and kink/BDSM-aligned individuals.

We are all capable of achieving positive change. My goal as a therapist is to create space for reflection, connection, and expression in order to pursue sustained well-being. I work collaboratively to help individuals & couples tell their stories and develop agency in shifting unhelpful narratives. I offer therapy to adults around topics including sex , intimacy, relationships, gender & sexuality issues, identity, anxiety, depression and more.

We believe people are doing the best they can; you are the expert in your life, not us. Patterns are learned and can be unlearned. You possess the inner wisdom you need. Our job is to help you make the changes you desire. Even dysfunctional behaviors are there for a reason and/or are a response to previous events. Our goals are to help you better understand your feelings and thoughts, find ways of coping and help you feel more like your authentic self. Your intersectional identities of race, religion, class, immigration status, gender, sexuality , and ability all influence who you are and who you are in your intimate relationships.

I believe that in different stages of our lives we are presented with challenges that can be overwhelming and that can leave us feel powerless. It is also my firm belief that we all have unique strengths and resilience and that therapy can help us identify and make use of them. This then allows us to regain control of our lives and strengthen healthy relationships. Being listened to and understood by a caring professional in a confidential and safe space can bring tremendous relief from emotional conflicts and pain. Such therapeutic space can help develop a stronger self and promote constructive ways to live a more fulfilling life.

Anxiety and mood disorders were my first areas of expertise. My fascination with relationships led me to study, from the lens of sex , the complicated and delicate dynamics that occur between and within people. This view point has given me a perspective on the interplay between sex , emotional difficulties, relationship patterns and attachment styles. Whether sex and relationship difficulties bring you to treatment or it's your anxiety and mood difficulties; we'll use my understanding of best clinical practices and your history to help you live a more satisfied life, inside and outside the bedroom.

With formal training in CBT, AEDP, EMDR, EFT, the Gottman Method & psychodynamic therapy, I blend multiple evidence-based practices to create individualized approaches to change for couples and individuals. As an integrative psychotherapist with additional degrees from Harvard and Northwestern in Psychology & Human Development, I draw on deep knowledge of human behavior. I specialize in working with intimate partners and individuals. I work with individuals and couples to discover what matters most and set long and short-term goals together.

After more than 35 years in practice, I have found that most clients need a combination of support, insight, and challenging interactions to help them grow and move past whatever obstacles they are facing. I work with individuals and couples on the most intimate aspects of their lives, including their sexuality , relationships, and life and death issues. My style is interactive, and employs uncovering family of origin dynamics, but also more practical, cognitive and behavioral methods to help make changes more quickly.

I am in a relationship; but I don't know if my partner is the one.- My wife and I are having trouble sexually.-I am bi-racial and at times my identity is stressful- /My partner does not understand me and we keep arguing. - I am afraid to come "out" to my family. - I keep getting poor performance reviews at work.-I am in love with someone who is a different race than me.- You may be able to identify with one or more of these concerns or you may have a concern that differs from the ones above.

I will tailor our work to your unique needs and goals and am attentive to your story as an individual or couple as well as broader cultural and social dynamics that may impact your experience. I am collaborative and not mysterious - I will share my thinking with you and welcome your feedback on what is and is not working for you. I will draw upon my time studying biology at Harvard to share with you how biological elements such as sleep science, nutrition, the stress response, etc. may be impacting your wellbeing. I also am happy to discuss how your sex life and relationships intersect with physical and emotional health.

Life is like a journey; we only live once, and hope you can enjoy it while being here. However, sometimes, you might find it difficult to find purpose, joy, passion or be your true self. If you feel lost or experience anxiety, or loneliness, I am here to support you to get through the tough times. As a therapist, my approach is warm, supportive and non-judgmental. I believe everyone is whole and complete, and you have all the answers within you. I will focus on providing a safe space for you to explore who you are, helping you better understand/accept yourself and figureing out what you would like to do with your precious life