As we continue to engage in conversations about consent, it’s crucial to remember that it begins within us. It is about understanding our bodies, respecting our feelings, and making choices that align with our true desires. I am grateful for the insights gained from this workshop, as they not only enhance my clinical practice but also contribute to a more compassionate and just society.

I encourage my fellow clinicians and practitioners to explore the concepts presented by Dr. Betty Martin and Dr. Roger Kuhn. By doing so, we can collectively work towards a future where consent is not just an agreement but a fundamental right—a practice woven into the very fabric of our interactions, both personal and societal.

As I learned during Susan E. Shwartz’s lecture, the journey of the puella is one of unfolding. It’s about moving from a place of dependency and fear into a state of self-awareness, confidence, and emotional maturity. The absence of a father may have left a deep mark on the psyche, but through depth therapy, individuals can heal the father wound, reclaim their inner authority, and step into a more empowered version of themselves.

We live in a society where trans folx are under attack just for being themselves which means there are unique challenges to exploring their sexuality such as body dysphoria, societal stigma, and limited access to affirming sexual health resources. As a Marin County sexologist, I’m an advocate for everyone having a healthy, satisfying sex life, and that includes trans folx. What follows are eight tips for how to do that.

Pride and “Kinky Boots” demonstrate how everyone’s liberation is bound up with everyone else’s because the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights is intertwined with broader struggles for social justice and economic democracy. Celebrating Pride means honoring alliances and the progress achieved. It also means acknowledging the ongoing challenges and continuing to advocate for equality and acceptance for all people.

Identifying feelings is a vital skill for emotional and sexual well-being. Through mindfulness, journaling, emotion identification exercises, therapeutic dialogue, and body awareness, individuals can enhance their emotional intelligence and foster healthier relationships. Overcoming barriers to emotional awareness and cultivating self-compassion are essential components of this journey. As a psychologist and sexologist, my role is to support individuals in navigating their emotional landscapes, helping to promote greater self-awareness, and ultimately helping to lead them toward a more fulfilling and emotionally rich life.

Vibrators can contribute to stress relief, relaxation, and enhanced blood flow, potentially leading to better sexual health. For some people, a vibrator can also help with pain relief, particularly for menstrual cramps or pelvic discomfort. And for people who want to use a vibrator for more than masturbation, it can promote intimacy and communication with a partner. As a Marin County sex therapist, I work with couples around communication and sometimes even how sexual expression could include toys.

Consent is the crucial element in this discussion. None of these women and girls (because deepfake pornography is also being created about young girls) said “yes” to having their faces splashed across the internet engaging in sexual acts. In an era where privacy is increasingly compromised, the ability to obtain someone's image or voice without their knowledge and then manipulate it for malicious purposes poses a serious threat. These women, because it’s almost exclusively women, are victimized by the unauthorized use of their likeness, leading to emotional distress and strain on their relationships.

I am more than happy to consult, of course, but this gap in training on human sexuality can have far-reaching consequences for individuals and couples. They may not receive the specialized support they need to navigate sexual and relational challenges and enhance their sexual health. Addressing sexual concerns requires a nuanced understanding of cultural, psychological, and physiological factors, which a general therapist may not be equipped to handle from the training they received. Consequently, this omission in training is a disservice to patients and hinders their access to the holistic care necessary for a fulfilling and healthy life.

Marriage and family therapy and psychology are both invaluable fields in the mental health arena, each offering a unique set of skills and approaches. The choice between these professions depends on the specific needs of the individual or family seeking help.

Miscarriage is a profound and often silent form of grief that extends beyond the parent who physically miscarried. The grief experienced by partners, extended family, and friends is equally real and deserves recognition and support. By acknowledging and addressing disenfranchised grief, society can help those affected by miscarriage navigate their loss and find healing and solace in the company of empathetic and understanding communities.