Episode 116. Today’s episode was a super interesting conversation with Sharon Depcinski, LMSW. Sharon is a Certified Sex Therapist and wonderful human being (that I actually got to meet in person a few hours after our conversation at a local therapist meetup!).

Sharon reached out to me to share a newer therapy modality she was learning called TRIP, Trauma Regulation and Integration Processing which is a modality developed by Monique Hoving-Smeets.

From there, we chatted about the fact that she's a certified sex therapist and the important of this topic (which we have never discussed on the podcast yet!), and her personal and professional interest in exploring neurodivergence and how crucial this can be for people to experience true healing.

To be honest, I'm still processing all the information in this conversation and I believe it's incredibly important in many, many ways.

What to Expect in this Episode

Sharon shares her journey to doing the work she does today, which includes taking a human sexuality class at Central Michigan University but soon realizing that West Michigan wasn't quite ready for her to do sex therapy in those early years...

What is sex therapy? Why should we care about it? (and everyone should!)

What is desire differential in couples and is it normal?

Her winding path as an LMSW for 25 years, and how only in recent 1-2 years has she discovered that both she and her partner are neurodivergent

Sharon's diagnosis with ADHD at age 49 and how that's impacted her as a therapist and otherwise

Sharon's partner's diagnosis of autism, and how she felt shame that she "should have known" and why she chooses to share their story

The role of neurodivergence and Sharon's hunch about how common it is

The role of understanding perimenopause and menopause in understanding our physical and psychological symptoms

Why swearing makes Sharon a better therapist and the sign she has about swearing in her office (that I totally want now!)

Why Sharon pursued Trauma Regulation and Integration Process (TRIP) training and her experience with beginning to learn this modality

And so much more!

Seriously, y'all. If this conversation doesn't get you thinking differently about a few things, I don't know what will.

Can't wait for you to check it out!

Resources Mentioned

Trauma Regulation and Integration Process (TRIP) training: https://relationshipworx.newzenler.com/professional-home

Neurodivergent Conversations podcast: https://www.divergentpod.com/

Emily Nagoski's website

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Disclaimer: This blog and podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for individual professional advice or treatment, including medical or mental health advice. It does not constitute a provider-patient relationship.