Blog and Articles

A new blog, on average, is published about 3-8x a month, tending to offer ideas and perspectives on psychological aspects of current events, an introduction or deepening of how Dr. Denise Renye works with people, and some practices you can do blending psychology, sexology, spirituality, embodiment and art.

Press publications and mentions can be found here.

Notice to readers

These articles are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, medical treatment, coaching or therapy. Seeking the advice of your physician or qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding any mental health symptom or medical condition is imperative. Do not disregard professional psychological or medical advice. Do not delay in the seeking of professional advice or treatment because of something you have read here.

Denise Renye Denise Renye

My Duty to Do No Harm as a Psychologist, Sex Therapist, and Yoga Therapist

It is my ethical duty to do no harm and to support the well-being, safety, and autonomy of all individuals, especially those who are being targeted and oppressed. Practically speaking, it means continuing to offer care to trans folx in my role as a psychologist, online sex therapist, and yoga therapist. I hold space for whatever my students, clients, and patients are feeling and support them however, they need – including having a healthy, satisfying sex life.

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Parts Work, Trauma Healing Denise Renye Parts Work, Trauma Healing Denise Renye

The Psychology of an Underdog Victory: Why the Eagles' Super Bowl Win Mattered Beyond Football

This victory wasn’t just about a team winning a championship; it was about a city reclaiming its sense of worth. It was about every person who has ever felt underestimated realizing that their story isn’t over. That no matter how many times they’ve been told they can’t, there is always the possibility that they can.

And that’s exactly why I do what I do. Because I believe in the parts of people that have been counted out. The parts that are waiting to rise. The ones that have been told they are too broken, too far gone, or too much to handle. The ones who have internalized the idea that they are destined to struggle. But just like Philly, just like the Eagles, they are capable of rewriting their story. And when they start to believe that—even for a moment—everything changes.

What parts of you are waiting to rise?

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How I Use Tantra in My Couples Work as an Online Sex Therapist

You can read more about tantra here but for couples therapy and in my couples coaching programs, I emphasize that it’s about the integration and harmonization of polarities and opposites. This involves recognizing and reconciling dualities such as light and dark, masculine and feminine, and heaven and Earth. It seeks to transcend these dualities to reach a higher state of consciousness and unity of nonduality.

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Denise Renye Denise Renye

What Retraumatization Is and How to Heal From It

This is because “Trauma is not just an event that took place sometime in the past; it is also the imprint left by that experience on mind, brain, and body," to quote Dr. Janina Fisher, a renowned trauma specialist and psychologist, who I’ve studied with. There’s an imprint, mark, or scar from trauma if it’s left untreated. It doesn’t just “go away” and when the brain connects current stressors to prior unresolved traumas, that’s called “retraumatization.”

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Denise Renye Denise Renye

Where Is Relationship Surrogacy Legal? Insights for Therapists and Clients

As someone deeply committed to providing ethical and effective support for clients addressing intimacy and relationship challenges, I see surrogate partner therapy as a valuable tool in the right context. However, it’s critical to approach this work with an understanding of the legal and cultural landscape. By fostering collaboration, transparency, and adherence to ethical guidelines, practitioners can help ensure that this practice remains a viable and beneficial option for those who need it most.

In addition to my clinical practice, I also offer clinical consultation for clinicians who are part of a tripartite team on a surrogacy case. Having a consultation can be especially helpful if you are early in your career offering this type of work clinically. Complex cases and ethical dilemmas can feel overwhelming without support, and consultation provides clarity, fresh perspectives, and the confidence to grow as a practitioner.

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Denise Renye Denise Renye

Honoring Dr. King's Legacy Through Film

Dr. King’s legacy also invites us to examine the interplay of shadow and light, concepts central to Carl Jung’s framework of psychology. The shadow represents the repressed and unacknowledged parts of ourselves and the collective unconscious, including biases, systemic oppression, and the fear of change that fueled opposition to the Civil Rights Movement. This fear is fueled by witnessing patterns of division, systemic inequality, and violence resurface, echoing the struggles of the Civil Rights era

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Denise Renye Denise Renye

Why I’m Offering Free EMDR to LA Fire Survivors

EMDR is a highly effective, evidence-based approach designed to help people reprocess traumatic memories and move toward a place of emotional resilience and recovery. Unlike conventional therapy, EMDR does not require extensive discussion, which makes it especially effective for LA wildfire survivors who are still processing the ongoing disaster. They won’t need to deeply explore their feelings or what happened during each session.

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Denise Renye Denise Renye

Mentoring Clinicians: The Importance of Supervision and Consultation

I see supervision as a structured and essential part of a clinician’s early career, while consultation is a valuable resource for ongoing professional development. Both roles allow me to support fellow clinicians in their journeys, emphasizing the importance of ethical practice, continuous learning, and reflective engagement in our work.

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Couples Therapy, Sexuality Denise Renye Couples Therapy, Sexuality Denise Renye

Eye gazing for Beginners

What you’re doing as you eye gaze is slowing down, which can feel challenging in a society that encourages moving at warp speed. Eye gazing with yourself or another cultivates patience, listening, inquiring, and learning about the person you see in an unhurried and respectful way. All of that can lead to a healthier, more satisfying, and intimate relationship. Are you ready to try eye gazing? If so, read through my tips as an experienced online sex therapist.

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How Acceptance Can Transform Challenging Relationships

As a licensed psychologist and sex therapist, I work with couples and individuals to improve their relationships with themselves and others. Acceptance is a cornerstone of resilience in challenging relationships. Whether the difficulty stems from differences in values, past hurts, or communication barriers, the ability to accept another person—flaws and all—creates the foundation for authentic connection and personal growth. Acceptance does not mean resignation or condoning harmful behavior; rather, it is an acknowledgment of reality as it is, without unnecessary resistance or futile attempts to control what cannot be changed.

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Sex Therapy, Sexology, Sexuality, Trauma Healing Denise Renye Sex Therapy, Sexology, Sexuality, Trauma Healing Denise Renye

Speaking Desire: Marin County Sex Therapist Reveals How to Navigate Sex with Injury, Disability

For someone with an injury or disability, sexual encounters can bring physical, emotional, and psychological complexities that require open communication to ensure safety, comfort, and pleasure. It’s perfectly reasonable to raise those complexities with your partner(s) because again, sex is about pleasure for everyone involved. People are not mind-readers and that means communicating what works and what doesn’t is paramount. That might mean not only expressing what feels good and what doesn’t, but also something specific such as a change in position, additional time, the need to adjust tempo or amount of lube, or specific forms of touch.

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How to Let Things Go

Letting go is not about forgetting or dismissing what has shaped us, but rather about making space for growth, healing, and new possibilities. It is a courageous act of self-compassion, requiring us to release what no longer serves us so we can embrace the fullness of our present and future. Though the process may be uncomfortable or even painful at times, it is also profoundly freeing, offering us the chance to reclaim our energy and refocus on what truly matters. By practicing the art of letting go, we step closer to a life of clarity, balance, and peace, where we can fully inhabit the person we are becoming.

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For Clinicians, Self Care, Sexuality Denise Renye For Clinicians, Self Care, Sexuality Denise Renye

Online Sex Therapist Reviews film ‘The Substance’

The Substance is steeped in commentary on the relentless societal obsession with women’s appearances. The transformations induced by the substance amplify these pressures, making the characters’ bodies sites of both fascination and horror. Moore’s character struggles with losing control over her body and identity, which reflects the anxiety many women feel about their autonomy in a world that demands physical perfection.

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How to Prioritize Self-Care During the Holiday Season

It's in therapy where raw and potentially confusing experiences are metabolized so they become understandable and usable. The therapist is there, with you, supporting you to process what has happened in your life, whether it was when you were a child, an adolescent, or an adult. That means you’re viewing what happened in a different way and perhaps for the first time feeling feelings that up until now remained unfelt. 

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Sex Therapy, Sexology Denise Renye Sex Therapy, Sexology Denise Renye

Exploring Kink: How to Safely Dive into Your Fantasies

GUEST BLOG. Exploring kinks and fantasies in a safe environment can be difficult if you’re not surrounded by a supportive and understanding community, or you don’t possess the knowledge and experience to handle such situations. The tips given above are some of the more easier ways to start building a place for yourself to safely explore your interests. Remember, sexuality is fluid and everyone’s interests and turn-ons are unique. Being open and non-judgmental about your fantasies can help you understand the meaning behind them and lead to a cathartic experience for your body and mind.

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Coping with the Holidays Denise Renye Coping with the Holidays Denise Renye

Calm Through the Holidays: Practical Stress Management Tools

The holiday season is often synonymous with joy, togetherness, and celebration, but it can also bring its fair share of stress. From family dynamics and heightened expectations to financial pressures, many of us find ourselves navigating anxiety and overwhelm during this time. Whether you're struggling with managing social obligations, coping with the absence of loved ones, or dealing with the weight of creating the "perfect" holiday, stress can take many forms.

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How to Navigate Post-Election Stress with Somatic Therapy Practices

In both psychology and yoga therapy, addressing the root chakra means helping people reconnect with their sense of inner security. Practices like grounding exercises, breathwork, and somatic therapies are invaluable in stabilizing the nervous system and supporting the embodiment of safety. I’ve written about breathwork extensively so check out those posts for exercises you can do right now.

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Unpacking Consent: Insights from Dr. Betty Martin’s Workshop

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.

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