(he/him)
New to Grow
My name is Ryan, and I am a gay mixed-race man and a San Francisco Bay Area native. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, but I also recognize moments where I need solitude to reconnect with myself. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist and have a specialty in sex therapy. I enjoy practicing as a sex therapist to help clients become empowered sexual beings.
I like to provide a safe space by being transparent and keeping client interactions very organic. I will introduce myself, elaborate on how I work, and address any questions clients may have. I will also speak to how I use a sex-positive framework in sessions to help clients through their feelings of distress or shame regarding aspects of their sexuality.
I show up for my clients authentically, which they have shared has been appreciated and something they haven't experienced with past therapists. Utilizing a sex-positive framework has helped ground clients as they heal through their negative thoughts and feelings they have about themselves. After therapy, clients feel empowered and resilient. My clients also walk away with a positive self-image.
I like working with clients who are struggling with areas related to their sex or sexuality. This may include engaging in certain sexual behaviors that the client views as problematic—working with clients who are distressed over fantasies, trying to navigate through performance anxiety, sex addiction, and sexual dysfunctions (erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation), and also, providing services to those who identify as LGBTQ+.
Sex Therapy
I value the importance of using a sex-positive framework when working with clients around issues or concerns related to sex and sexuality. I recognize how vulnerable clients are discussing areas about their sexuality and I believe as a sex therapist it is my responsibility to navigate these discussions with the upmost respect and non-judgmental stance.
EMDR
I use EMDR to help clients through past traumas. The first step of using EMDR is going over what is called resourcing which are tools clients use to help ground them if they are outside of their window of tolerance. Next, we will collaborate on which past traumas the client would like to address and then we will start using the EMDR practices to process through the traumatic event(s).
Trauma Informed Care
I practice from a trauma-informed care lens. I respect and acknowledge where clients are at in their therapeutic process and do not push clients beyond their limits. I recognize the importance of needing to slow down if needed instead of trying to rush through their process.
Eclectic
In addition to sex therapy and EMDR I also utilize solution-focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and person-centered.