I have a couple busy months ahead of me and I'd like to share the awesome events I'll be attending (and hosting) in the remainder of 2016. 

September 24, 2016: Alternative Relationship Education Workshop Event

I will be joining a team of local mental health professionals and the Relationship Equality Foundation to present a special CEU workshop designed to educate therapists, counselors, and others who seek to learn about sexual, gender and relational diversity – specifically alternative relationship structures.

Despite efforts to maintain non­judgmental attitudes, most mental health professionals know so little about this area that their responses to clients who “come out” to them can range from off­putting surprise to a disapproval that has anecdotally even done damage to clients, and created barriers to future treatment. We hope to prevent these experiences by educating mental health professionals in the areas of sexual, gender and relational diversity – specifically alternative relationship structures, considerations of relational attraction, sexual identity, and gender expression. Presenters have been selected from local professionals with experience in treating these populations, many with involvement and national exposure in the development of mental health standards in this area.

This workshop will provide six CEUs just in time for license renewal deadline. There will be a lunch break in the middle of the day, and a box lunch available for purchase during registration.

Please join us September 24th and share with any friends or colleagues who may be interested! For more information and to register, please visit arewe.relationshipequalityfoundation.org

October 13-15, 2016: Sex Down South

This year I will be attending Sex Down South for the first time! Last year was their first year and I heard lots of rave reviews so I'm looking forward to attending this year. I did not submit any class proposals because I want to enjoy learning and connecting with other educator and advocates of sex-positivity and inclusion. 

From the Sex Down South website:

"​Sex Down South was born out of a desire to create a safe space in the Southeast where folks could explore sex and sexuality.  Our focus is intentionally broad, catering to a diverse range of people: from those who are curious but not quite committed, to those who have been around the block…and then some! Our mission is to create a sex-positive space for people of all walks of life to come together, explore, connect, and share knowledge and skills. It’s your exploration destination for all things sex and erotic."

"Our goal is to foster learning, inspiration, and wonder – and provoke conversations that matter. From sex education and sexual health, to healthy communication and relationship skills; from alternative lifestyles such as kink and polyamory, to sex and spirituality and navigating sexual trauma."

November 3-6, 2016: THEA's PeachState Conference

Last year's inaugural PeachState conference was my first experience presenting at a community event and I'm glad to be back! I will be presenting a couple classes on transgender experience (specifics topics currently unknown). 

THEA's PeachState conference is a health and education conference for Transgender, Gender Diverse, and Gender Non-Conforming adults. 

November 11, 2016: Ethical Social Media Marketing for Therapists

The LGBTQ Therapist Resource network and Foundations Atlanta are co-hosting a 3-hour CEU event and they have invited me to present the basics and best practices of Ethical Social Media Marketing for therapists. In case you didn't know, before I went full-time as a counselor with Wellspring Counseling Center, I was a social media marketing manager for leading sex and relationship therapists. This presentation will cover social media and internet marketing how-tos from the most basic level, as well as the ethical implications and guidelines of having an online presence as a clinician.

Members of the LGBTQ Therapist Resource Network save $15 on registration for this class.

Register for this event on eventbrite.com

Many transgender people struggle with dysphoria, body dysphoria in particular. Body dysphoria means the body they have doesn’t match what they envision for themselves.

Being a romantic partner to a transgender person means you’re likely present for all of their experiences: happy, sad, angry, and dysphoric. Sexual partners of transgender people have a huge opportunity to effect their lover’s gender and body dysphoria. Many transgender person’s body dysphoria includes, and may even focus on, their genitals. Sexual intimacy puts you in direct contact with the part of their body that likely causes them the most discomfort. What you say, how you react, how you approach this intimate space and time has a huge impact on how your transgender partner will feel about their body. 

I was inspired to write about my experience as a partner to a transgender person after reading Melissa A. Fabello’s How to Reassure Your Partner That They’re Hot When They Hate Their Body. She wrote about the heterosexual cisgender narrative of a woman who’s body issues revolve around weight or shape, but I think her advice applies for partners of transgender people as well. 

As a loving and supportive partner, I want my partner to know they are lovable and desirable, body, mind, heart, and soul. 

For partners just beginning the transgender journey with your lover, changing how you relate to their body can take time. Be patient with yourself and your partner. It will be much easier if you both engage your creativity and explore new fun ways of relating to each other.


Relationship counseling can help couples wanting to Live and Love Authentically explore what's sexy for them in a safe, comfortable space.

The most important relationship we all have is with ourselves. The center of your social environment, the common element in all of your relationships, is you. You have likely heard the common advice, "If you don't love yourself, then how can anyone else love you?" I don't believe this is 100% true, but I do believe that in order to truly live a vibrant life with healthy relationships, we need strong self-esteem and sense of self-worth. But how does someone trapped in a world of depression, anxiety, shame, or anger build self-esteem? 

In my blog about Love Languages I discussed how every person speaks and perceives love through specific methods, which sometimes differs from our partners. Our Love Language can also impact our self-esteem and our sense of self-worth. An example: If my primary Love Language is Words of Affirmation but my mind constantly berates me and insults me like a schoolyard bully, then my self-esteem is going to wither away. Alternatively, if I make a point of congratulating myself on my accomplishments and identifying aspects of my character that I appreciate, I will feel more loved and my self-esteem will improve.

Try this: Take the Love Language assessment and consider how you currently treat yourself in your love language. Write down a list of actions you can do that use your love language to show yourself a little more love and compassion. Each day, do one of the items from the list. At the end of a week, reflect on all the love you have expressed for yourself and consider this question: do you feel loved?