Professional Consultation - Deva Segal | SF Psychotherapist for Couples & Sexuality

Clinical Consultation

HELPING OTHER PROFESSIONALS

When clients reach out to me, they will tell me they didn’t talk to their last therapist about sex at all, even when they were already having problems.

Clients have their own discomfort and assumptions when talking about sex and intimacy in therapy. In reality, many clients would like to, but sense they can’t have a meaningful conversation about sex in therapy or believe that it’s off limits altogether with you. Some of these clients are not wrong.

The invitation to talk about sex with clients depends on the therapist knowing how and when to create good opportunities. The average therapist often feels out of their comfort zone when if comes to working with sexuality clinically. This is for good reason. You probably had inadequate graduate education to address sexual issues with your clients. Few of us have been lucky enough to have extra training or mentorship about sexuality in our professional development.

You understand that sex and intimacy is important and will affect a client’s well-being, but you don’t know how to actually support your clients when it comes up.

Why Should I Consult With a Certified Sex Therapist?

You don’t have to spend years studying to provide good care and support for your clients with typical sexual concerns. Filling in the gaps can help you retain and serve clients where they are at. You don’t have to feel out of your depth when you’ve already spent so much time building a relationship with them. Learning how to integrate sex therapy into your work serves many purposes, including bringing growth to your existing specialties. Take it from me – sex becomes existential very, very quickly. Understanding how to assess and think about sexual problems will create confidence in how to deepen your work elsewhere.

If you’re thinking about sex therapy consultation, you might be concerned about how talking about sex will impact the therapeutic relationship or the transference. Or you could be stumped or embarrassed about what to actually say with clients, and you’re sure they’re totally picking up on that. Some of us don’t really talk about sex in our personal lives – let alone with clients. Other therapists are really ready to stretch with sexuality in session, but they have no idea where to start. My goal is to help you get more comfortable, knowledgeable, and aware of your strengths.

My approach is to no longer think of sex as a stand alone specialization, but rather a domain of functioning as part of your client’s lives.

The truth is that sex is connected to many parts of us and our clients’ lives. I have advanced skills as a certified sex therapist that I am ready to share. I am here to support you in how in learning how to integrate sex into your clinical foundation.

I provide consultation for best practices in:

Couples and systems-based therapy
Differentiation and attachment in relationships
Navigating ethical concerns
General sex therapy questions
Assessment tools for sexual functioning
Desire discrepancy with couples
LGBTQIA+ considerations
Kink/BDSM, Polyamory, Consensual non-monogamy
Compulsive or impulsive sexual behaviors

If you have specific questions about sex therapy practices or want to learn more about what it’s like to be a sex therapist, I’m happy to answer your questions.

My Approach and Areas of Expertise

My therapeutic stance is psychodynamic – informed by a blend of Object-Relational, Existential-Humanistic, and Somatic theories. I also have a specialization in Expressive Arts which allows for creativity of all kinds with clients in the therapy. My couples therapy is rooted both differentiation and attachment lenses utilizing The Developmental Model and PACT for interventions.

In addition to couples and sex therapy, I provide clinical consultation on these topics:

Adult children of narcissists
Adults who grew up in homes with alcoholism or substance abuse
Codependent partners with substance misuse or abuse
Management of anxiety and depression symptoms
Racial or cultural implications, especially as it applies to biracial or interracial clients
Cultural sensitivity when working with multiracial or South Asian clients
Grief and bereavement
Expressive Arts theory and interventions

I am a second-generation immigrant. I have extensive experience working with clients of many different cultural backgrounds and deeply prioritize this work in my practice.

When to Refer Your Current Client to a Sex Therapist?

Often therapists want to immediately refer out to a specialist when it comes to sexual concerns. I find that in many cases extra support and guidance is better and more useful than ending the relationship. However, it’s true that it’s not always clear cut. Sometimes you’re out of your scope of competency and it’s appropriate to link them to another therapist. This applies to both individuals and couples.

If you’re on the fence about a particular case, it’s a good idea to bring our heads together. Contact me for consultation. We will discuss the best strategies based on your comfort and abilities and the client’s specific needs and preferences.

You may alone in the therapy room with your clients, but good psychotherapy is a team sport.

How to Work With Me

Email me to set up an appointment.

I offer professional consultation to health care professionals individually, in groups, and for organizations. In addition, I’m available to come to your agency to provide sex therapy and relationship-based workshops. If you’d like to learn more, please get in touch.

On a limited basis, I supervise mental health professionals accruing hours toward licensure. I’m approved by BBS to supervise California registered AMFTs, APCCS, and ASWs. As a supervisor, I value helping therapists learn how to think critically while also building their clinical skills. My goal in working together is to support you in understanding the full scope of what it means to be a therapist – from clinical work to business and systems practices to marketing. Supervision should help you develop your voice and unique point of view.