NW Institute on Intimacy

For Friends new to our page, Welcome!!!The Northwest Institute on Intimacy provides training for folks pursuing certification as s*x therapists or counselors as well as provides accurate resources / information on healthy s*xuality to the public. We are glad you are here!!!

Calling all folks interested in becoming a s*x therapist or s*x counselor! Enrollment is now open for our Advanced Clinical S*xology Course and our 2024 Top 5 Cohort! Feel free to reach out with any questions, we will support you and walk alongside you every step of the way! *xtherapist *xcounselor *xtherapy

For those of you clinicians interested in learning more about the healing power of psychedelic assited therapy - here is an excellent inexpensive training coming up demonstrating how to use IFT with preparation and integration.

Psychedelic Therapy Utilizing Internal Family Systems (IFS) IFS is showing incredible promise in maximizing the transformative healing affects of psychedelic assisted therapy. Come learn with us!

Join us on Friday April 19 for a fascinating and important training on an often overlooked area of both psychotherapy and medicine. This is an area in which clinicians often inadvertently do more harm than good. Blind-spots impact our work everyday. Join us as we the blinders off!!

Join us on Friday, March 29. A great training on the ART OF INTEGRATION for those of you interested in learning more about being a highly skilled psychedelic assisted provider and the incredible opportunity for healing a variety of mental health suffering. $30. If anyone wants to come and cannot afford this, write us at [email protected] for a 50% off code. FREE FOR INANNARISING.ORG MEMBERS.

Super excited to co-lead this 3-day women’s retreat this summer - and for all those that jump at participating in this life and love expanding opportunity!

This Friday! A great training on the ART OF INTEGRATION for those of you interested in taking a deep dive into the integration aspect of psychedelic assisted therapy and the incredible opportunity for healing a variety of mental health issues and suffering. $30. If anyone wants to come and cannot afford this, write us at [email protected] for a 50% off code. FREE FOR INANNARISING.ORG MEMBERS.

It can be frustrating when in our mindful commitment to our healing and health that the path do often is bumpy and circuitous. I have always been especially impatient w this! However, I try to remember, that every step, every place has something to teach me. It’s hard and I think it’s true! This morning I came across this poem as another powerful reminder that “here” is good and deserving of our mindful presence and gratitude.

Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.

From Traveling Light: Collected and New Poems. Copyright 1999 by David Wagoner. Used with permission of the University of Illinois Press.

How do you soothe your soul in the frustration of the healing process?

Just finished a 4 day couples intimacy retreat - 14th overall, but first since the pandemic. What an incredible honor to witness 8 couples vulnerably invest in their relationship and intimate lives. In a country like ours that only offers fantasy, ignorance, and misinformation to build relational happiness upon, it is so beautiful to watch the courageous investment, healing, and transformation possible when couples are given the tools and opportunity to love deeply. I always leave these weekends even more grateful for my work, my family, and the richness of life!

Have you signed up yet?? Our Clinical S*xology Course is filling up and we are so excited! But sign up by this Sunday, October 2nd and receive access to 2 additional courses!!

Head to our bio for more, can’t wait to have you there!! ✨ *xology

ANNOUNCEMENT!! We have our Advance Clinical S*xology course starting back up this November! This is one of our favorite courses to go through with graduate students as they enter their careers. Check out our site for more information! ✨

Research from the World Association for S*xual Health! Showing that s*xuality is a central aspect of human existence. So why is s*xual education so full of shame and awkwardness?? Take a look at these results and tell me your thoughts! ✨

More information regarding the importance of comprehensive s*x education! This time, with some research done by to back it up. What are your thoughts on this? ✨

S*xuality Education in its truest form empowers us to trust ourselves and our worth. These are just a few examples of what ACTUAL s*xuality education can do for us and others! What do you think?? ✨ *xualityempowers

TODAY is the last day to sign up for our annual SAR course.

In 3 days this course will transform the way you understand those who are erotically marginalized and oppressed. You will grow in wisdom and compassion in critical ways that will make you a better and more empathic, informed human!

Our unrealized biases cause great harm to ourselves and others … this course will support and inspire you to leave those biases behind. You will be so grateful!

Info in our bio!

Some wonder, can a SAR have as much impact if I need to take it over zoom?!

What we learned thru the pandemic, is the answer is a resounding … YES!!

Whether you are able to be in person, or join us over zoom, the SAR will be one of the most transforming, enjoyable, enlightening, and important courses of your personal and professional life!

You will walk away with more compassion, understanding, knowledge, wisdom, and empathy! And … you will have a host of new friends!

Do yourself a favor, make this the year you take NWIOI’S SAR. You’ll be sooo glad you did!

More info on our bio.

It can be difficult to figure out what trainings are actually worth your time and money. The options are endless!

But consistently for over 45 years of SAR’s being taught across this country, people routinely talk about how transformative the course is and how immediately they were better equipped to serve people and care for their community.

This is why ASSECT.org made taking a SAR mandatory for becoming a S^x educator, counselor or therapist.

I can’t tell you how many times a participant in one of our SAR’s has said to me, “This class needs to be required for EVERYONE!”

The SAR gives you an incredible opportunity to learn from those who have experienced years of discrimination because of their s*xual orientation, gender identity, or s*xual desires. It is a gift beyond measure to have the space to both hear these stories and ask questions, AND be able to get in small groups w colleagues and talk openly and non-judgmentally about your OWN reactions!

You leave the SAR having replaced s*xual mythology and fear, with compassion, empathy, and wisdom!

If you work with the public, THIS is a training worth every moment and every dollar!

Field growth scholarships are available for those of marginalized status and financial need who are under-represented in the fields of s^x education, counseling, and therapy. Write [email protected] and request the application if you think this might apply to you.

We hope you will join us, June 23-25, for what’s lining up to be the best SAR we’ve had yet!!

www.nwioi.com/classes - or ck out out our bio for more info.

CEO and thought leader, Dr. Tina is bringing her wisdom to our upcoming SAR as one of our SAR Leaders.

Dr. Tina's mission is to provide compelling education and tools that empower people to rise above s*xual shame and embrace their value. 

Her vision is that people everywhere would live shamelessly as s*xual beings, knowing they deserve connection and pleasure.

Dr. Tina is a s*x therapist, former professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at Seattle Pacific University, founder of the Northwest Institute on Intimacy, AASECT certified supervisor, mother, wife, and author. 

She wrote "S*x, God, and the Conservative Church" for everyday people and clinicians to explain what it means to grow up with abstinence education or a faith mired in s*xual shame and dysfunction.

The book offers a four-step model for healing religious s*xual shame and non/touch exercises to bring healing and intimacy into a person's life.

Dr. Tina's recent "Shameless Parenting" book is everything you need to raise shame-free, confident kids & heal your shame too!  It highlights the trickiest parts of each age from birth to 18 years old that tend to trigger shame, and guides parents on how to provide emotionally for their children while helping them understand the shame that is emerging for them.

Shame is what makes us reactive as parents. It is the hardest part of parenting. It is from our own places of shame that we over-react, repeating patterns from our parents that we might otherwise have resisted, and finding ourselves stuck, not knowing what to do.

Dr. Tina wants to see our culture come to a place where all people have access to solid information about s*xual health and relational intimacy in all its various colors, so that each person can gain a glimpse into what is possible for them.

She is convinced that s*xuality can be a powerful resource to nourish our human experience, and that even in our s*x -saturated culture, we’re generally missing out on something beautiful, playful, and fun in the way we approach s*xuality and commitment. She hopes that her work can help us to reclaim it!

Sign up for our SAR today to ensure your spot to Lear with and from Dr. Tina

Meet SAR Leader and NWIOI Board member Justin Pere!

Read below about Justin, and the expertise he brings to our NWIOI courses and community:

“I'm the owner and lead therapist at Clarity Counseling Seattle. As an AASECT Certified intimacy, s*x, and relationship therapist, I've been working with couples, relationships, and individuals since 2003.

As both a s*x therapist and a Certified Gottman Therapist (CGT) I am sometimes hired by to consult on s*x and s*xuality.

I also run group therapy for couples struggling with low s*xual desire, no s*xual desire, discrepancy in s*xual desire, and low s*xual frequency.

You can think of my group practice of 7 clinicians as a local resource for folx needing help with s*x/s*xuality/intimacy, relationships of all types, men's issues, and grief counseling.

I love meeting the wonderful folx in our field so please feel free to reach out to me to connect!”.

Thank you Justin for all you are contributing to our SAR this June and our NWIOI community!

For more info, check out the link in the bio and our website nwioi.com/classes.

Rachel Levine, LMHC, JD is not only a NWIOI Board member but also a SAR Leader for our upcoming SAR!

Rachel is a psychotherapist trained in EMDR, EFIT (Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy), and s*x therapy. She sees individual adults. Rachel helps clients access the innate wisdom within themselves to participate and succeed in their own healing and transformation. Her practice focuses on stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and s*xuality.

Most often, she works with folx who are at a crossroads in life, not sure how to move forward but know they are not happy with the way life has been.

S*x therapy with Rachel helps individuals address psychological, spiritual, personal, relational, and medical factors that may be impacting s*xual satisfaction.

EMDR therapy with Rachel helps people heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences that overwhelm the brain’s capacity to cope. 

To learn more about therapy with Rachel, please check out the website or email her.

In addition, Rachel will be offering an online group coaching program for women who tend to lose themselves in relationships in June 2022. More information about this can be found here: www.risingupme.com

Thank you Rachel for all you are contributing to our SAR this June and our NWIOI community!

For more info, check out the link in the bio and our website nwioi.com/classes.

“My process is experiential, I believe that people often have the solutions to their own problems and that I can aid in the recognition of these solutions by focusing on strengths and successes.”
- Dominique Washington

We are so happy to introduce you to Dominique Washington one of our SAR Leaders! She has shared a bit about herself below.

“I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate, I view my work with adults, teens, and families as collaborative in helping clients rediscover their sense of self within the context of their environment.
I believe that in order to have a complete understanding of the individual, it is necessary to have an understanding of the individual within the context of his or her family system, identifying strengths and vulnerabilities. I believe that these relationships we have with others impact the way we think and behave as well as play a great role in healing journeys that can be both useful in individual and family therapy.
I practice an integrative approach that incorporates components of narrative, mindfulness, and art therapies.
One of my biggest strengths is the genuine care and concern that I have for my clients. I believe that experience is a powerful agent of change, I strive to create a therapeutic environment in which you feel safe and heard and where you feel comfortable exploring and practicing change within the context of our relationship. It is my goal to help you clarify and work toward achieving your goals. You are empowered to make your own decisions and I respect your authority as the expert on your own life. During the course of therapy, I will challenge your beliefs and perspectives which are holding you back from living the life you wish to have and the goals you want to achieve. During this process, I will provide support, listening, coaching, and empathy utilizing a collaborative approach with you in helping shape a new reality.
In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, spending time with loved ones, or simply enjoying a good movie/TV show.”

Thank you Dominique for all you are contributing to our SAR this June!

For more info, check out the link in the bio and our website nwioi.com/classes.

“I believe that healing occurs when people are given the space to explore their unique personal experience and better understand how it colors their worldview, sense of self, and relationships with others.” - Caitlin Minniear

Meet Caitlin Minniear one of our SAR Leaders!

She has shared a bit about herself below:

“I am passionate about helping individuals explore their s*xuality, gender, and identity and also work with people experiencing grief, loss, and transgenerational trauma.

Working from a systemic and culturally sensitive lens, I have experience helping individuals, couples, and families navigate complex relational issues involving trauma, depression, anxiety, acculturation, chronic illness, and life transitions.

I have also completed AASECT training to help individuals and couples work through issues involving intimacy, s*xual dysfunction, and desire discrepancies.

My therapeutic work utilizes experiential and somatic interventions to encourage the integration of the mind-body experience and is influenced by emotion-focused therapy (EFT) and other evidence-based practices.

I grew up in Maui, Hawai’i where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and became interested in exploring multicultural issues and transgenerational trauma. I relocated to the Pacific Northwest in 2015 and received my Masters degree in Marriage and Family therapy from Seattle Pacific University, with a graduate certificate in Medical Family Therapy and a specialization in working with medical illnesses.

My clinical experience includes working within the social work system of the Swedish Cancer Institute where I provided support and counseling to individuals and families coping with cancer diagnoses, caregiving responsibilities, and end of life discussions.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, hiking, stargazing, and exploring new places with my partner and dog. I embrace yoga and mindfulness as personal self-care and feel most at peace when spending time with loved ones and being immersed in nature.”

Thank you Caitlin for all you are contributing to our SAR this June!

For more info, check out the link in the bio and our website nwioi.com/classes.

Meet, the one, the only, Fredrick Zal. He is our SAR Facilitator and has pieced together the amazing lineup of speakers and leaders for our upcoming SAR!

So if you are obsessed with our lineup (like we are!) you have him to thank!

In addition to his deep passion of Facilitating SAR’s, Friedrick has many passions and qualifications. below you can hear directly from him!

“Thriving since cancer; I have found new erotic embodiment, dancing, hiking, and yoga when my body has the capacity, to teach, and rigorously work toward a Ph.D. in S*xology.

Nurturing erotically marginalized people; I teach consent, s*xual attitudes reassessment, and sensuality with an understanding of power differentials, socio-political impacts over the centuries, and ways to truly dismantle what I feel in my blood and bones to be harmful acculturating systems. 

I implement meta-cognition, s*xual worldview expansion, and value delineation through a multi-faceted lens of post-structuralism, decolonialism, intersectionality, phenomenology, and embodiment.

Feeling unsafe in our current socio-political climate; I often mask my erotic and societal marginalization (non-binary, q***r, kinky, ability-shifting, ta***ic celibacy, sensual-positive, Jewish, and more) behind my privileged hegemonic pale skin and 'manly' vintage fashion. 

I have experienced less discrimination and trauma than many, but significantly more than others.  Resilient optimism inspires my advocacy work in social restorative justice, accountability, stopping harm perpetuation, and radical nurturing.

By listening to each other's vulnerable truths; there is potential to start healing harm, deconstruct kyriarchy perpetuation, inspire intentional communities, and manifest new pathways for people to thrive together. At any point in time, there are probably a few dozen ideas from other people inspiring my words and actions. Thank you deeply to all of those wise elders.”
- Fredrick

See bio for more info or go to nwioi.com/classes

Look at these speakers!! We couldn’t be more excited for this round up — one of the best we have ever had. Don’t miss your chance to learn from them virtually and in person!

See bio for more info or go to nwioi.com/classes to sign up today

We have screamed it once & we will scream it again!

Repost .epperson

Meet SAR Speaker Caffyn Jesse!

became involved in s*x work as a teenager escaping family violence. She worked in Vancouver’s downtown eastside, where she had experiences of both exploitation and empowerment.

She was able to leave s*x work in her mid-twenties, and she did not return to the field again until her mid-forties when her personal journey of recovery from early-life trauma brought her into contact with the world of touch-based s*xual healing and sacred intimacy.

Following her own healing path, Caffyn developed a sense of vocation. She took various trainings and established a practice offering erotic services as a sacred intimate.

By the time she was in her sixties, she had become a leading teacher of somatic s*x education.

Caffyn is the author of many books on erotic wellness, sacred intimacy, and healing from trauma through body-based practices that focus on empowering choice and voice.

She is a teacher, mentor, and writer with an international reputation, and is considered an elder in the world of erotic wellness.

SAR students will get a chance to learn from Caffyn Jesse. Sign up today to join them!

See bio for more info or go to nwioi.com/classes

🚨 SAR Speaker Alert 🚨 Meet Dr. Reece Malone (he/him/siya) who is the CEO of S*xuality Consultants and Support Services Manitoba.

He is a certified s*xologist, certified s*xuality educator, and supervisor, and holds a Masters of Public Health and Doctorate of Human S*xuality.

His therapeutic and educative practices center client collaboration, and the strength of cultural diversity.

Reece is the co-editor of An Intersectional Approach to S*x Therapy. Centering the Lives of Indigenous, Racialized, and People of Color and authored The Canadian Human Rights National Roundtable on Gender Identity and Gender Expression that was foundational to the inclusion of Gender Identity to the Canadian Human Rights Act and expansion to the Canadian Criminal Code.

Complementing his private practice, Reece is an adjunct professor at Couple and Family Therapy Department.

Sign up for our SAR today to guarantee your spot to learn from Dr. Reece Malone.

See bio for more info or go to nwioi.com/classes