Sex-Positive, Kink Allied Therapists in Eisenhower East, Alexandria, VA
Hey badasses and tenderhearts. I’m Petey, a sex educator and therapy intern making the taboo feel totally normal. I create inclusive, shame free spaces where you can show up as your full, messy, beautiful self. I work mostly with adults on sexual wellness, intimacy, identity, and unlearning sexual shame. I also support couples. I bring a mix of art and science to the therapy room with a background in bioethics, studio art, and counseling. If you are curious, questioning, healing, or just want to talk about the stuff no one else will, I am here for it. Let’s talk!
Hey badasses and tenderhearts. I’m Petey, a sex educator and therapy intern making the taboo feel totally normal. I create inclusive, shame free spaces where you can show up as your full, messy, beautiful self. I work mostly with adults on sexual wellness, intimacy, identity, and unlearning sexual shame. I also support couples. I bring a mix of art and science to the therapy room with a background in bioethics, studio art, and counseling. If you are curious, questioning, healing, or just want to talk about the stuff no one else will, I am here for it. Let’s talk!
My ideal client is someone who has experienced trauma and is seeking a therapist who truly holds space for the depth of their experiences. They may be navigating the lasting effects of abuse, struggling with their identity, or working through challenges related to current policies, sexuality, or sex work. They need a space where they feel safer, affirmed, and met with genuine compassion—where they don’t have to educate their therapist or fear judgment. Their goals might include processing past trauma, building healthier relationships, affirming identity, developing coping skills, or simply feeling more at home in themselves.
My ideal client is someone who has experienced trauma and is seeking a therapist who truly holds space for the depth of their experiences. They may be navigating the lasting effects of abuse, struggling with their identity, or working through challenges related to current policies, sexuality, or sex work. They need a space where they feel safer, affirmed, and met with genuine compassion—where they don’t have to educate their therapist or fear judgment. Their goals might include processing past trauma, building healthier relationships, affirming identity, developing coping skills, or simply feeling more at home in themselves.
Preston Sembler
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW
8 Endorsed
Eisenhower East, Alexandria, VA 22314
Preston works with individuals and couples, specializing in LGBTQIA+ populations 16 years and older. As a gay man, he recognizes the need for an unconditionally affirming space to explore issues of sexuality, gender, self-esteem/self-hate, body image, relationship issues, open/poly relationships, anxiety, depression, etc. His counseling style focuses on developing a genuine connection with his clients based on mutual respect and trust in order to facilitate the client’s growth. Therapy can feel like serious work, but Preston recognizes the need for positivity, encouragement, and laughter throughout the process.
Preston works with individuals and couples, specializing in LGBTQIA+ populations 16 years and older. As a gay man, he recognizes the need for an unconditionally affirming space to explore issues of sexuality, gender, self-esteem/self-hate, body image, relationship issues, open/poly relationships, anxiety, depression, etc. His counseling style focuses on developing a genuine connection with his clients based on mutual respect and trust in order to facilitate the client’s growth. Therapy can feel like serious work, but Preston recognizes the need for positivity, encouragement, and laughter throughout the process.
Healthy Minds Therapy
Licensed Professional Counselor
1 Endorsed
Eisenhower East, Alexandria, VA 22314
Accepting NEW patients! for MEDS management AND therapy! Our mission at Healthy Minds Therapy is inspiring thriving, healthier communities by making therapy modern and accessible. Dedicated to wellness and mental wealth. We help anxious individuals, provide relief for discouraged parents and help distant couples get connected. We provide individual therapy across the lifespan. As well as couples and family therapy. We also offer group therapy! There is something for everybody. Healthier days are here! Serving VA, MD, & DC!
Accepting NEW patients! for MEDS management AND therapy! Our mission at Healthy Minds Therapy is inspiring thriving, healthier communities by making therapy modern and accessible. Dedicated to wellness and mental wealth. We help anxious individuals, provide relief for discouraged parents and help distant couples get connected. We provide individual therapy across the lifespan. As well as couples and family therapy. We also offer group therapy! There is something for everybody. Healthier days are here! Serving VA, MD, & DC!
Specializing in serving the LGBTQIA, BIPOC, kink, neurodiverse, ethically non-monogamous, perimenopausal, geek, performer, and sex worker communities.
In sessions we partner to create a plan that builds on your personal strengths while challenging you to try new things. Sessions would include caring support balanced with techniques that work, like active suggestions, resources (podcasts/books/media), psychoeducation, and therapy assignments, when helpful. I'm happy to think outside the box with you.
Specializing in serving the LGBTQIA, BIPOC, kink, neurodiverse, ethically non-monogamous, perimenopausal, geek, performer, and sex worker communities.
In sessions we partner to create a plan that builds on your personal strengths while challenging you to try new things. Sessions would include caring support balanced with techniques that work, like active suggestions, resources (podcasts/books/media), psychoeducation, and therapy assignments, when helpful. I'm happy to think outside the box with you.
Kristin Nygaard-Daugherty
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA , LPC
2 Endorsed
Eisenhower East, Alexandria, VA 22314
Taking the leap to find a therapist can feel overwhelming. The thought of talking to a complete stranger about the deepest darkest parts of your mind may feel frightening, but seeking help is something to celebrate. If you are searching for someone to help lighten the load of the weight of the world or even just the thoughts swirling around in your mind, I am here to help.
Taking the leap to find a therapist can feel overwhelming. The thought of talking to a complete stranger about the deepest darkest parts of your mind may feel frightening, but seeking help is something to celebrate. If you are searching for someone to help lighten the load of the weight of the world or even just the thoughts swirling around in your mind, I am here to help.
You're a badass go-getter, motivated by working towards your life's goals, but something feels stuck or slows your progress. Your life is mostly together, but you're dealing with anxiety, low-self esteem, or negative self-talk pretty regularly. Maybe you feel like it's hard to form relationships with others around you. There's a chance social media makes you feel inadequate. Maybe you still feel or notice the effects of a trauma in your past. You've considered talking to someone about these things before, but therapy always seemed drastic or a little too extra. (I promise, it's not!) Email or call if this sounds like you!
You're a badass go-getter, motivated by working towards your life's goals, but something feels stuck or slows your progress. Your life is mostly together, but you're dealing with anxiety, low-self esteem, or negative self-talk pretty regularly. Maybe you feel like it's hard to form relationships with others around you. There's a chance social media makes you feel inadequate. Maybe you still feel or notice the effects of a trauma in your past. You've considered talking to someone about these things before, but therapy always seemed drastic or a little too extra. (I promise, it's not!) Email or call if this sounds like you!
Whether your process is delicate or vigorous, I facilitate a safe, client-centered, decolonial practice. My praxis is informed by being a psychotherapist, community organizer. and yoga teacher. I have extensive experience serving and affirming diverse communities, values, and needs on a range of topics from trauma, loss, life adjustments, relationships (including friendships and sisterhood), workplace belonging and equity, and institutional abuse. You will be challenged, and although your growing pains may be uncomfortable, you will not be alone, unsupported, or bored!
Whether your process is delicate or vigorous, I facilitate a safe, client-centered, decolonial practice. My praxis is informed by being a psychotherapist, community organizer. and yoga teacher. I have extensive experience serving and affirming diverse communities, values, and needs on a range of topics from trauma, loss, life adjustments, relationships (including friendships and sisterhood), workplace belonging and equity, and institutional abuse. You will be challenged, and although your growing pains may be uncomfortable, you will not be alone, unsupported, or bored!
Are you feeling stuck in your relationships — unsure of your needs, boundaries, or who you are anymore? Maybe you’ve been in a toxic dynamic or find yourself repeating patterns that leave you anxious or overwhelmed. I work with young and midlife adults from diverse backgrounds — including people of all genders, LGBTQ+ folks, and BIPOC individuals — to better understand themselves and build healthier, more authentic relationships, starting with the one they have with themselves.
Are you feeling stuck in your relationships — unsure of your needs, boundaries, or who you are anymore? Maybe you’ve been in a toxic dynamic or find yourself repeating patterns that leave you anxious or overwhelmed. I work with young and midlife adults from diverse backgrounds — including people of all genders, LGBTQ+ folks, and BIPOC individuals — to better understand themselves and build healthier, more authentic relationships, starting with the one they have with themselves.
Life can be overwhelming, messy, uncertain, and heavy at times. If you're feeling stuck, lost, or just not like yourself, you're not alone. I'm here to help you make sense of what you're going through in a space where you can feel safe, heard, and truly seen. Together, we’ll work through what’s weighing on you, make sense of where you’ve been, and move toward where you want to go. Therapy with me is a partnership grounded in trust, compassion, and real conversations because your story is important. My clients often deal with anxiety, self esteem, depression, trauma, and setting healthier boundaries.
Life can be overwhelming, messy, uncertain, and heavy at times. If you're feeling stuck, lost, or just not like yourself, you're not alone. I'm here to help you make sense of what you're going through in a space where you can feel safe, heard, and truly seen. Together, we’ll work through what’s weighing on you, make sense of where you’ve been, and move toward where you want to go. Therapy with me is a partnership grounded in trust, compassion, and real conversations because your story is important. My clients often deal with anxiety, self esteem, depression, trauma, and setting healthier boundaries.
In therapy and beyond, I believe in the power of self-expression to help us grow. I see therapy as a place to better get to know ourselves, process experiences and emotions, and hear a different perspective about challenges that we may struggle to see clearly. Therapy can be many things: a place to clarify our identity, strengthen communication skills, change habits, or support mindfulness in our everyday lives.
In therapy and beyond, I believe in the power of self-expression to help us grow. I see therapy as a place to better get to know ourselves, process experiences and emotions, and hear a different perspective about challenges that we may struggle to see clearly. Therapy can be many things: a place to clarify our identity, strengthen communication skills, change habits, or support mindfulness in our everyday lives.
Online Therapists
High-performance lives demand high-performance relationships. For driven professionals, navigating complex systems is second nature—yet intimacy and conflict often follow a different set of rules. If you’re feeling misaligned or misunderstood in your personal life, it’s time to bridge the gap between your professional success and your relational health. You deserve a space as strategic and nuanced as your career. Let’s evolve your personal world to match your professional excellence.
High-performance lives demand high-performance relationships. For driven professionals, navigating complex systems is second nature—yet intimacy and conflict often follow a different set of rules. If you’re feeling misaligned or misunderstood in your personal life, it’s time to bridge the gap between your professional success and your relational health. You deserve a space as strategic and nuanced as your career. Let’s evolve your personal world to match your professional excellence.
In today's world life seems to be moving too fast, making it feel like you're playing catch up. I help my clients transform how they communicate, manage stress and overcome tough emotions. My approach is direct, collaborative, and person-centered, meaning we focus on what matters most to you while building practical tools for real-life change. Together, we’ll uncover patterns, strengthen your voice, and create lasting shifts that align with who you are. If you’re looking for compassionate, personalized care backed by proven strategies, I’m here to support you every step of the way.
In today's world life seems to be moving too fast, making it feel like you're playing catch up. I help my clients transform how they communicate, manage stress and overcome tough emotions. My approach is direct, collaborative, and person-centered, meaning we focus on what matters most to you while building practical tools for real-life change. Together, we’ll uncover patterns, strengthen your voice, and create lasting shifts that align with who you are. If you’re looking for compassionate, personalized care backed by proven strategies, I’m here to support you every step of the way.
Do you have a sense that something about your childhood is affecting you as an adult? Maybe you can put your finger on exactly what it is, or maybe you are just seeing patterns in your life & relationships that have you wondering if there’s something deeper behind it. Past therapy experiences may have been helpful in some ways, but you seem to keep getting stuck. It feels like anxiety and self-doubt are the ones controlling the direction of your life, not what is true and authentic to you. You’re ready to address these things at the source, so you can finally work with your inner critic and regain control of your life.
Do you have a sense that something about your childhood is affecting you as an adult? Maybe you can put your finger on exactly what it is, or maybe you are just seeing patterns in your life & relationships that have you wondering if there’s something deeper behind it. Past therapy experiences may have been helpful in some ways, but you seem to keep getting stuck. It feels like anxiety and self-doubt are the ones controlling the direction of your life, not what is true and authentic to you. You’re ready to address these things at the source, so you can finally work with your inner critic and regain control of your life.
On the outside, you keep it together, but inside different parts of you may feel anxious, self-critical, or weighed down. A part may push you to achieve, while another feels unworthy or stuck in old family roles. You may also carry parts that hold pain, illness, or shame from the past. I help people get curious about these inner dynamics, process unresolved trauma, and create more balance so that their whole system can feel calmer, more confident, and connected. Along the way, I use humor to make the hard work feel lighter and more human.
On the outside, you keep it together, but inside different parts of you may feel anxious, self-critical, or weighed down. A part may push you to achieve, while another feels unworthy or stuck in old family roles. You may also carry parts that hold pain, illness, or shame from the past. I help people get curious about these inner dynamics, process unresolved trauma, and create more balance so that their whole system can feel calmer, more confident, and connected. Along the way, I use humor to make the hard work feel lighter and more human.
Many of us struggle with internal voices and leftover doubts from past experiences. My counseling approach is to empower clients to live their best lives. The foundation of our work is connection. Together we explore ways to process emotions, realizing that while feelings may teach us something, they are not always facts. We will build an understanding of patterns that may impact how you talk to yourself, engage in relationships, approach your career, explore growth, and much more.
Many of us struggle with internal voices and leftover doubts from past experiences. My counseling approach is to empower clients to live their best lives. The foundation of our work is connection. Together we explore ways to process emotions, realizing that while feelings may teach us something, they are not always facts. We will build an understanding of patterns that may impact how you talk to yourself, engage in relationships, approach your career, explore growth, and much more.
Hi! I'm Emma and I'm a Supervisee in Social Work who is passionate about helping people move through trauma, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and relational issues. I take a person centered, holistic approach that utilizes both skill building and emotional processing. I have experience with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and mindfulness. I especially enjoy working with the LGBTQ+ community.
Hi! I'm Emma and I'm a Supervisee in Social Work who is passionate about helping people move through trauma, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and relational issues. I take a person centered, holistic approach that utilizes both skill building and emotional processing. I have experience with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and mindfulness. I especially enjoy working with the LGBTQ+ community.
I offer mental health assessments (for diagnostic clarification) and AuDHD testing as a supportive way to help individuals gain clarity, understanding, and confidence as they navigate their life's journey. My assessment process is collaborative and compassionate, honoring each person’s unique story, strengths, and cultural context. By gently making sense of patterns and experiences and providing clear, personalized recommendations, assessment can open the door to insight and self-understanding. The primary goal is to help you feel empowered, hopeful, and better equipped to take meaningful next steps toward growth and well-being.
I offer mental health assessments (for diagnostic clarification) and AuDHD testing as a supportive way to help individuals gain clarity, understanding, and confidence as they navigate their life's journey. My assessment process is collaborative and compassionate, honoring each person’s unique story, strengths, and cultural context. By gently making sense of patterns and experiences and providing clear, personalized recommendations, assessment can open the door to insight and self-understanding. The primary goal is to help you feel empowered, hopeful, and better equipped to take meaningful next steps toward growth and well-being.
Currently Accepting New Clients!
I specialize in therapy for women who want to dive deep to help you heal the past, navigate the present, and create a future you love. Today, you feel anxious, self-critical, and stuck in patterns that hurt your confidence, parenting, or relationships. Using trauma-informed somatic techniques, including EMDR, I help you find your bearings, your confidence, and yourself. Lean how to heal from the inside out, body, mind, and heart.
Email me today to schedule your free consultation call.
Currently Accepting New Clients!
I specialize in therapy for women who want to dive deep to help you heal the past, navigate the present, and create a future you love. Today, you feel anxious, self-critical, and stuck in patterns that hurt your confidence, parenting, or relationships. Using trauma-informed somatic techniques, including EMDR, I help you find your bearings, your confidence, and yourself. Lean how to heal from the inside out, body, mind, and heart.
Email me today to schedule your free consultation call.
Have you always felt like an outsider? Has substance use or trauma left you feeling like a spectator in your own life? Are you burnt out, frustrated, or tired of dealing with the same old patterns in your relationships? I am passionate about helping people to better understand and trust themselves and feel empowered in their lives. Together we can address challenges from anger, anxiety and depression to family history, relationship and parenting issues. You will find my therapeutic style is warm, active and direct. I will bring authenticity, humor and connection to our work, and am skilled in enhancing motivation and accountability.
Have you always felt like an outsider? Has substance use or trauma left you feeling like a spectator in your own life? Are you burnt out, frustrated, or tired of dealing with the same old patterns in your relationships? I am passionate about helping people to better understand and trust themselves and feel empowered in their lives. Together we can address challenges from anger, anxiety and depression to family history, relationship and parenting issues. You will find my therapeutic style is warm, active and direct. I will bring authenticity, humor and connection to our work, and am skilled in enhancing motivation and accountability.
Nearby Sex-Positive, Kink Allied Therapists Searches for Eisenhower East, Alexandria
See More Sex-Positive, Kink Allied TherapistsNearby Searches for Eisenhower East, Alexandria
- Braddock Road Metro
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- Potomac West
- Potomac Yard-Potomac Greens
- Southwest Quadrant
- Taylor Run
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.