Sex-Positive Counselling with Penny is a specialized form of Affirming Therapy that operates from the fundamental belief that all consensual sexual practices and identities are valid and healthy.

In this confidential, non-judgmental space, Penny utilizes her Master's level training and extensive experience to help individuals and couples explore all facets of their sexuality, relationships, and intimacy.

Penny offers Sex-Positive Counselling for clients navigating:

• Intimacy Concerns: Addressing desire discrepancies, communication blocks around sex, and sexual shame.

• Relationship Structures: Exploring and navigating Ethical Non-Monogamy (ENM), polyamory, kink and other non-traditional relationship dynamics.

• Sexual Identity: Processing issues related to LGBTQIA+ identity, or integrating sexual preferences and fantasies into a fulfilling life.

Using therapeutic approaches like Narrative Therapy and the Psychodynamic-Interpersonal Model, Penny helps dismantle negative societal messaging and past Trauma related to sex, empowering you to live authentically and build sexually fulfilling and consensual relationships.

Reasons to Seek Sex-Positive Counselling

Sex-Positive Counselling focuses on the belief that all consensual sexual expression is healthy and valuable. People seek this form of therapy when their sex lives or sexual identities are causing them distress, confusion, or conflict, often due to societal shame or a lack of tools to navigate complex situations.

Relationship Structure and Dynamics

Many individuals and couples seek Sex-Positive Counselling when navigating non-traditional or complex relationship agreements.

• Exploring Ethical Non-Monogamy (ENM) and Polyamory: Individuals or couples need guidance on establishing boundaries, managing complex emotions (like jealousy), improving communication, and developing ground rules for open relationships, swinging, or polyamorous dynamics.

• Kink and BDSM Integration: Clients need a non-judgmental space to explore, understand, and safely integrate kinky desires or practices into their sex life and relationship structure, including consent negotiation and managing safety protocols.

• Sexual/Intimacy Discrepancy: Partners have differing levels of sexual desire, frequency needs, or preferences, and need tools to communicate honestly and compassionately without judgment or blame.

Internalised Shame and Trauma

This addresses the psychological and emotional barriers that prevent a person from having a healthy, fulfilling sex life.

• Sexual Shame and Guilt: Individuals seek help to dismantle negative "sexual scripts" or moralistic messages learned from family, religion, or culture that lead to shame, guilt, or anxiety surrounding their sexual feelings or behaviours.

• Healing from Sexual Trauma: While deep trauma processing often requires specialized modalities (like CPT), Sex-Positive Counselling helps survivors reclaim their sexuality, re-establish healthy boundaries, and rediscover pleasure in a safe context.

• Body Image and Sexual Confidence: Clients struggle with poor body image that hinders intimacy, or lack the confidence to express their desires or initiate sex assertively.

Identity and Exploration

Counselling provides support during periods of questioning or affirming identity.

• Sexual Identity Exploration: Individuals may be questioning their sexuality, identifying as LGBTQIA+, or exploring unique facets of their identity (e.g., asexuality) and need a supportive space for processing these feelings.

• Integrating Sexual Identity: Clients seek help integrating their sexual identity into their public or private life, managing stigma, or navigating disclosure to partners, family, or friends.

Communication and Boundary Setting

Effective sexual communication is often the core challenge in many relationships.

• Difficulty Asking for Needs: Individuals struggle to articulate their sexual wants, limits, or fantasies to a partner due to fear of rejection or judgment.

• Consent Negotiation: Learning how to engage in clear, enthusiastic, and ongoing consent discussions, which is vital in all relationships but especially those involving complex dynamics like ENM or kink.

• Sexual Assertiveness: Developing the skill to confidently say "yes," "no," or "maybe" to sexual activities and enforce personal boundaries.