Sarah speaks with psychotherapist Dr. Joe Kort, PhD, LMSW about his 40-years long work with individuals and couples trying to strengthen their relationships. Dr Kort specializes in marital problems and conflict, mixed orientation marriages, male sexuality, and out of control sexual behavior to name just a few of his areas of expertise.
In 2013, Dr Kort coined the term 'sides', finally terming an identity that many share but few named. Sides typically describes gay men who do not engage in anal sex, instead preferring other forms of outercourse.
We discuss mixed orientation relationships, clinical considerations when working with certain populations, as well as the problem with 'sex addiction.'
Resources and Contact:
Mankind project
Maya Coleman
TIktok: DrJoeKort
Facebook: DrJoeKort
Linkedin: DrJoeKort
DrJoeKort.com
Instagram: @psychandthecitybk
www.sarah-kelleher.com
Sarah speaks to Dr. Kate Stephenson, a historian with a particular set of specialties - school uniforms, sex in Edinburgh, and condoms. Coined as the 'condom historian,' Kate and Sarah speak about sex in Edinburgh throughout time and the history of condoms. Women dominated the industry and people would reuse them again and again. The history is fascinating!
Find Kate's work: http://www.katestephenson.co.uk/p/home.html
or email: epstephenson@gmail.com
Find Sarah:
Instagram: @psychandthecitybk
Bluesky: @psychandthecity.bsky.social
Sarah interviews Stella Harris, certified intimacy educator, sex coach, and author. Stella gives the 4-1-1 on how to ACTUALLY listen, hear, and be a safer person when it comes to communication, especially about some of the scarier stuff - sex, relationships, and kink. Stella's tools will help you put language to what you want and share it.
Stella Harris is the author of two books, Tongue Tied: Untangling Communication in Sex, Kink, and Relationships, and The Ultimate Guide to Threesomes.
You can find Sarah on instagram @psychandthecitybk & @psychandthecity.bsky.social
and Stella at www.stellaharris.net
@stellaharriserotica on Instagram
or @stellaharris.bsky.social
Sarah speaks to Nicole Prause, PhD, an expert sexuality scientist and researcher. The two discuss the TRUTH aka the studies and science surrounding manosphere communities and no fap and no nut forums. We also address the the myth of sex and porn addiction and treatment planning for those who struggle.
Sarah speaks with Marysa Carter, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, DPT, PT who specializes in pelvic health and sex education. Let me answer your question before you finish. Yes, if you have a pelvis, YOU have a pelvic floor. Absolutely flooding with knowledge, Arkansas-based Marysa gives me the basics - like, what even is a pelvic floor? - in addition to covering deeper topics - such as myofascial pain, vaginismus, vulvodynia, dyspareunia, and endometriosis. If you struggle with pain, incontinence, or simply just want to learn to more: give this gorgeous area of your body the attention it craves! Start here. No prior knowledge needed!
Resources:
Marysa Carter on Instagram: @pelvichealthwithmarysa
@jillkrapfmd; @vaginarehabdoctor; @dr.susieg; and @thevaginawhisperer on Instagram.
Dr. Bri’s vibrant pelvic health page on YouTube.
Nancy’s Nook for Endometriosis Education and the Pelvic Pain Support Network are support groups on Facebook.
Intimate Rose is a company created by a pelvic floor PT that has a lot of video resources. Marysa have a discount code for them!: intimaterose.com/MARYSA1
There’s also a short film called Tightly Wound about vaginismus that Marysa recommends often.
@psychandthecitybk
Podcast website: www.psychandthecitybk.com
Sarah speaks with Andrew Heartman, co-founder of the Surrogate Partner Collective and a surrogate partner for over 13 years. Often incorrectly referred to as 'sex surrogates,' Andrew explains the healing powers of surrogate partner therapy and how it's way more than just physical touch. With only about 50 surrogate partners in the United States, Andrew and his team are passionate about expanding and revitalizing surrogate partner therapy (SPT).
Resources:
International Professional Surrogates Association
Human Awareness Institute. HAI offers workshops in love, intimacy, and sexuality.
The Embrace Surrogate Partner Therapy Resource Group: https://www.embracespt.org/
How SPT has changes since it was conceived: https://www.surrogatepartnercollective.org/post/the-evolution-of-surrogate-partner-therapy
Ethics and Legality: https://www.surrogatepartnercollective.org/ethics-and-legality
SPT Courses for Therapists/Clinicians: https://www.surrogatepartnercollective.org/courses
Training for Surrogate Partners: https://www.surrogatepartnercollective.org/training
Sarah: psychandthecitybk@gmail.com
Come along as I do a quick recap of object relations theory in preparation for my LCSW exam. This rundown is short, sweet, and filled with rapproachement. I hope these audio summaries of theories sometimes utilized in social work are helping others study and learn. The information about this theory came from the Dawn Apgar Social Work Licensing Clinical Exam, A Comprehensive Study Guide book (3rd edition). No this is not an ad, just the book I'm studying from.
Today is part two of the dive into Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) and Dissociative Trauma Disorders. Anne and Lexi, co-founders of Beauty After Bruises, are back! This week, we are primarily focusing on dissociative trauma disorders. We debunk myths about DID and dissociation - like, how it's rare (it's not) and discuss the BASK model of dissociation. And finally, Dun dun duuun! the last third of the episode is dedicated to talking coping, grounding, self-care, and management strategies - THEY DO EXIST. This episode is suited for clinicians, survivors, and anyone looking to learn more.
Some of the topics we discuss may be activating to some folks.
CW: ritual abuse
Resources:
Beauty After Bruises: https://www.beautyafterbruises.org/
Dispelling DID Myths and Misconceptions: https://www.beautyafterbruises.org/blog/didmyths
International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation: https://www.isst-d.org/
DES II: The Dissociative Experiences Scale measures a wide variety of types of dissociation, including both problematic dissociative experiences, and normal dissociative experiences (e.g., day-dreaming). Try it yourself: http://traumadissociation.com/des
Find Sarah: @Psychandthecitybk, Twitter: @psychndthecity; www.psychandthecitybk.com
Sarah interviews Jim Duffy, harm reduction advocate and founder of Smoke Works - an organization that provides injection alternatives and safe smoking supplies to syringe service providers and groups nationwide. Harm reduction programs often have difficulty obtaining and distributing pipes due to budgetary and legal hurdles. Smoke Works aims to fix that.
Dedicated to drug user health equity and HIV and overdose prevention, Jim Duffy leads with lived experience and Smoke Works shares profits with underfunded groups performing direct-service work.
In this episode we discuss crack, meth, and stimulant use, damaging paraphernalia laws, and why giving people access to pipes is a public health initiative. Jim and Sarah explicitly discuss drug use, stigma, and tips on what to do if you’ve taken too much or how to support someone who has.
Resources:
patreon.com/SmokeWorks
Instagram: @Smokeworksboston
Sarah // Instagram: @psychandthecitybk
Psych and the City Podcast: www.psychandthecitybk.com
Harm reduction resources mentioned in the episode:
Good Works: North Alabama Harm Reduction
On this fine Monday, Sarah interviews Reb Holmberg, aka Mistress Amanda Wildefyre, about their work and journey as a professional dominatrix for over 30 years. This episode discusses some of the basics of (only!) a few of Mistress Amanda’s specialties and interests: bondage, clinic and medical play, and cross-dressing. Amanda not only shares about their journey from Dominatrix to Educatrix, but speaks fondly of the freedom and healing that comes from permission to break free of the gender binary.
Reb Holmberg, aka Mistress Amanda Wildefyre, is a professional dominatrix, writer, performer and BDSM educator practicing in Minneapolis and worldwide. For over three decades, they have contributed to the BDSM scene by offering workshops on a wide variety of topics, including Predicament Bondage, Suspension, Mummification, Pony Play, Electroplay, Genitorture and Switching for Tops. They are currently studying with the Institute for Sexuality Education and Enlightenment (www.InstituteforSexuality.com) towards Sex Educator Certification.
Resources:
IG: @realamandawildefyre; @reb.holmberg
IG: @psychandthecitybk
Sarah and her friend, end-of-life doula Lucy, discuss - yep, you guessed it: grief, death, and sex. In this episode, Lucy shares about what exactly an end-of-life doula is and all the (some wrong) ways we think about grief. We discuss the dying process, what a consent-focused approach to end of life care can look like, and how grief can show up in our bodies and sex lives. Lucy says, a lot of being an end-of-life doula is reminding people that they have choice and agency over what happens to their bodies throughout the dying process.
Resources:
Guest Contact: Lucy Moran, lucimo91@gmail.com
Host: Sarah K, sarahkelleher91@gmail.com; psychandthecitybk
Book: Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
The Artist’s Grief Deck is a wonderful resource for prompts to move through grief during this pandemic. It has artwork and rituals and can be accessed here: https://griefdeck.com
If someone is interested in finding certified end of life doulas in their area, they can look through the directory in the National End of Life Doula Alliance’s website: https://www.nedalliance.org
This is a great resource to start having conversations around death and dying with your loved ones. They offer free guides and conversation prompts to tackle difficult subjects: https://theconversationproject.org
Sarah speaks to her friend Shaina - one of nine siblings, who was born and raised in the Chabad Chassidic Orthodox Jewish world of Brooklyn, New York. Shaina educates Sarah about what it was like for her growing up Orthodox and shares about some of the history and practices of the Chabad Chassidic community. Shaina shares her experience with sex education (or lack thereof), religion, and ultimately her journey with self and belief.
Shaina is a licensed social worker in New York State and California. Today, Shaina is a practicing San Francisco and Oakland therapist who works with couples, adults, teenagers, and children. In her work, Shaina is most passionate about educating, and empowering teenagers and children about all things related to body safety and healthy sexuality. In her spare time Shaina can be found singing to Chassidic music, swimming, dreaming of her nieces and nephews, or playing with her puppy, Sivan. Shaina currently resides in San Francisco with her partner.
Resources: Footsteps, https://footstepsorg.org/
Footsteps is the only organization in the United States providing comprehensive services to people who have chosen to leave their ultra-Orthodox communities and begin new lives. Based in New York, Footsteps provides a range of services, including social and emotional support, educational and career guidance, workshops and social activities, and access to resources. Thanks to Footsteps, former ultra-Orthodox Jews have a safe, supportive, and flourishing community to turn to as they work to define their own identities, build new connections, and lead productive lives on their own terms.
Find me at @psychandthecitybk on instagram; Twitter: @psychndthecity