Posts in Trauma Healing
Unpacking Consent: Insights from Dr. Betty Martin’s Workshop
Unpacking Consent: Insights from Dr. Betty Martin’s Workshop

As we continue to engage in conversations about consent, it’s crucial to remember that it begins within us. It is about understanding our bodies, respecting our feelings, and making choices that align with our true desires. I am grateful for the insights gained from this workshop, as they not only enhance my clinical practice but also contribute to a more compassionate and just society.

I encourage my fellow clinicians and practitioners to explore the concepts presented by Dr. Betty Martin and Dr. Roger Kuhn. By doing so, we can collectively work towards a future where consent is not just an agreement but a fundamental right—a practice woven into the very fabric of our interactions, both personal and societal.

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For Clinicians, LGBTQIA+, Sex Therapy, Sexology, Sexuality, Somatic Psychology, Trauma HealingDenise RenyeDr. Betty Martin, Dr. Roger Kuhn, marin county sex therapist, marin couples counseling, marin county sexologist, marin county couples therapist, marin county, psychologist, bay area psychologist, bay area sexologist, bay area sex therapist, bay area therapist
Beyond Childhood Trauma: Embracing Emotional Decolonization for True Healing and Liberation
Beyond Childhood Trauma: Embracing Emotional Decolonization for True Healing and Liberation

As mental health professionals, clinicians, and healers, we are being called to deepen our practice and commitment to healing. It is not enough to focus solely on childhood trauma and individual therapeutic work. We must engage in the ongoing process of emotional decolonization—examining the ways in which systems of oppression have shaped our understanding of trauma and healing. This requires unlearning and relearning, challenging our biases, and continually asking how we can show up in ways that promote true liberation, not just for individuals but for communities.

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Trauma Healing, For Clinicians, BisexualityDenise Renyemarin county sex therapist, Marin county EMDR therapist, marin couples thearpy, marin county couples therapy
Healing the Wounds of an Absent Father in the Puella Archetype: A Bay Area Psychologist's Exploration
Healing the Wounds of an Absent Father in the Puella Archetype: A Bay Area Psychologist's Exploration

As I learned during Susan E. Shwartz’s lecture, the journey of the puella is one of unfolding. It’s about moving from a place of dependency and fear into a state of self-awareness, confidence, and emotional maturity. The absence of a father may have left a deep mark on the psyche, but through depth therapy, individuals can heal the father wound, reclaim their inner authority, and step into a more empowered version of themselves.

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Sexuality, Trauma Healing, Psychology and Spirituality, For CliniciansDenise Renyemarin county sex therapist, Marin county EMDR therapist, marin couples thearpy, marin couples counseling, marin county couples therapy, marin county psychedelic therapist, marin county sexologist, marin county psychologist, bay area sexologist, bay area sex therapist, bay area psychologist, bay area therapist
How Fantasy as a Trauma Response Can Lead to Dissociation: Insights from a Marin County Sex Therapist and Bay Area Psychologist
How Fantasy as a Trauma Response Can Lead to Dissociation: Insights from a Marin County Sex Therapist and Bay Area Psychologist

However, while dissociating through fantasy may protect someone from confronting their trauma head-on, it can also delay healing. Over time, reliance on fantasy can inhibit healthier coping strategies and prevent individuals from fully processing their traumatic experiences. In relationships and daily life, excessive use of fantasy may cause difficulty in staying grounded in the present, hindering authentic connections with others.

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EMDR, Trauma Healing, Somatic Psychology, Sex TherapyDenise Renyemarin county sex therapist, Marin county EMDR therapist, marin couples counseling, bay area psychologist, bay area therapist, bay area sex therapist, marin county sexologist
The Impact of Grohl’s Affair: A Bay Area Sex Therapist’s View
The Impact of Grohl’s Affair: A Bay Area Sex Therapist’s View

This dynamic reflects the patriarchal system that often prioritizes men's desires and choices over the emotional well-being of women. Under patriarchy, infidelity is framed as a man's lapse in judgment, and women are seen as “victims” or “homewreckers,” rather than fully formed humans with agency. Patriarchy perpetuates the belief that men can seek fulfillment outside their commitments while women are left to deal with the fallout.

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Couples Therapy, Sex Therapy, Sexology, Sexuality, Trauma HealingDenise Renyedave grohl, infidelity, bay area sex therapist, marin county sex therapist, marin county couples therapy, marin county sexologist, marin couples counseling, marin couples thearpy
Unresolved Trauma and Its Impact on Current Relationships: A Perspective from Marin County EMDR therapist
Unresolved Trauma and Its Impact on Current Relationships: A Perspective from Marin County EMDR therapist

Trauma, whether emotional or physical, leaves an indelible mark on the psyche. Emotional abuse can include verbal attacks, emotional manipulation, and neglect of emotional needs. Physical abuse encompasses acts of violence or physical harm, while neglect involves the failure to meet basic emotional and physical needs. When these experiences remain unresolved, they create deep-seated fears and defensive mechanisms that can persist into adulthood. These fears often include anxiety about pain, abandonment, and rejection—experiences that were once life-threatening or profoundly hurtful.

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EMDR, Trauma Healing, Sexuality, Sex Therapy, SexologyDenise Renyemarin county sex therapist, Marin county EMDR therapist, emdr, EMDR, trauma, ptsd
Embodiment Meditation: A Pathway to Healing Trauma and Dissociation
Embodiment Meditation: A Pathway to Healing Trauma and Dissociation

If you're interested in exploring how embodiment meditation, somatic practices, and yoga therapy can support your healing journey, I invite you to connect with me. As a psychologist, sex therapist, and certified yoga therapist, I offer a holistic approach to navigating trauma, dissociation, and deepening your relationship with your body. Visit this link to learn more about my services and how we can work together to foster growth and healing in your life.

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Body Movement, Psychology and Spirituality, Ritual and Ceremony, Somatic Psychology, Trauma Healing, Yoga TherapyDenise Renyeembodiment, spontaneous embodied spiritual experience, trauma, ptsd, post traumatic stress disorder, meditation, marin, marin county psychologist, marin county, marin county sexologist, sex therapy, sex therapist, marin county sex therapist, marin couples thearpy, marin couples therapy, marin county couples therapist, psychedelic therapy, marin county psychedelic therapist, marin county psychedelic integration
Reconnecting with Your Inner World: The Transformative Journey After Stopping Cannabis Use
Reconnecting with Your Inner World: The Transformative Journey After Stopping Cannabis Use

The process of reconnecting with one’s inner world and emotionality after ceasing cannabis use is a profound journey of self-discovery and healing. With the support of a therapist, particularly one trained in psychedelic integration, individuals can navigate this journey with greater ease and insight. Therapy provides the tools, support, and understanding needed to transform this challenging period into an opportunity for deep emotional and psychological growth, leading to a more authentic and fulfilling life.

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Psychology and Spirituality, Trauma Healing, Yoga TherapyDenise Renyemarin county sex therapist, marin, Marin county EMDR therapist, marin county sexologist, marin county psychologist, maring couples therapy, marin premarital counseling, marin cannabis, cannabis, medical marijuana, how to stop marijana
Understanding Sex-Positive Therapy: A Comprehensive Approach
Understanding Sex-Positive Therapy: A Comprehensive Approach

If you’re interested in exploring how sex-positive therapy can support your journey towards greater sexual well-being and fulfillment, I invite you to connect with me. Together, we can work towards understanding and embracing your unique sexual identity, improving your relationships, and navigating any challenges you may face. For more information or to schedule a session, please visit my website. I look forward to working with you on this empowering path.

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Couples Therapy, Psychology and Spirituality, Sex Therapy, Sexuality, Somatic Psychology, Trauma HealingDenise RenyeSex, marin county, marin couples therapy, marin county sex therapist, marin couples thearpy, marin county psychedelic therapist, marin county psychologist
Are You Practicing Outercourse? It Can Enhance Your Sex Life
Are You Practicing Outercourse? It Can Enhance Your Sex Life

If you're interested in exploring how outercourse and other aspects of sexual intimacy can enhance your relationship with yourself or your partner, I can help. As a sex therapist, I specialize in guiding individuals and couples through these important conversations and experiences. Reach out here to set up an appointment and start your journey towards a more fulfilling sexual and intimate life.

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Couples Therapy, Sexuality, Sex Therapy, Trauma Healing, LGBTQIA+Denise Renyemarin county sex therapist, Marin county EMDR therapist, marin county sexologist, marin county psychologist, maring couples therapy
A Sex Therapist’s View: How Emotionally Immature Parents Impact Their Kid’s Adult Relationships
A Sex Therapist’s View: How Emotionally Immature Parents Impact Their Kid’s Adult Relationships

Growing up with emotionally immature parents presents significant challenges to understanding a person’s sexual self and forming healthy intimate relationships. However, with targeted therapeutic interventions, people can learn to navigate these complexities, fostering a healthier and more fulfilling sexual and relational life.

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Trauma HealingDenise Renyemarin county sex therapist, Marin county EMDR therapist, marin county sexologist, marin county psychologist, maring couples therapy, marin county CA, couples therapy, cou, relationship therapy, trauma, trauma informed therapist, trauma healing, ptsd
The Erasure of Bisexuality and Why It Matters
The Erasure of Bisexuality and Why It Matters

Promoting bisexual visibility is essential. Positive representation in media, literature, and public discourse can help normalize bisexuality and provide role models for those struggling with their identity. By seeing their experiences reflected and validated, bisexual individuals can gain the confidence to embrace their true selves.

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Bisexuality, LGBTQIA+, Sexuality, Sex Therapy, Trauma HealingDenise Renyebisexual, bisexuality, bi, biphobia, marin county sex therapist, marin county sexologist, marin county, marin county psychologist, maring couples therapy, Marin county EMDR therapist
Addiction is a Trauma Response, Marin County Psychologist Says
Addiction is a Trauma Response, Marin County Psychologist Says

In my work as a Marin County psychologist, I take a trauma-informed approach to addiction treatment that creates a supportive and non-judgmental environment. I approach addiction with compassion and this can help reduce the shame and stigma often associated with both trauma and addiction. This encourages individuals to seek help and engage more fully in the therapeutic process.

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EMDR, Trauma HealingDenise Renyemarin county sex therapist, Marin county EMDR therapist, marin county sexologist, marin county psychologist, maring couples therapy, marin county, marin county CA, marin premarital counseling, EMDR therapist Marin county, EMDR therapist, EMDR
Marin County Psychologist Unpacks Trauma
Marin County Psychologist Unpacks Trauma

Healing doesn’t happen in isolation, however, so it’s also important to foster connections with supportive relationships and communities. Doing so can provide validation, understanding, and a sense of belonging, which are essential components of healing from trauma.

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Trauma HealingDenise RenyeMarin county EMDR therapist, Marin, marin county sexologist, marin county, marin county psychologist, marin county sex therapist, marin county CA, couples therapy marin county, trauma healing, trauma informed therapist, trauma response, sexua trauma
How EMDR Can Promote Sexual Healing
How EMDR Can Promote Sexual Healing

Sexuality and relationship issues often stem from past experiences that have left emotional scars or negative beliefs about one’s self and others. EMDR facilitates the reprocessing of these memories, helping individuals to integrate positive and adaptive information, and desensitize the emotional charge associated with past traumas. In the realm of sexuality, EMDR can assist individuals in overcoming inhibitions, shame, or negative self-perceptions that may hinder their healthy sexual expression.

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EMDR, Trauma Healing, SexualityDenise RenyeEMDR, PTSD, sexuality, sexual healing, relationship therapy, couples therapy, couples, trauma healing, trauma, EMDR therapist Marin county, EMDR therapist
How to Recover from Travel and Time with Family
How to Recover from Travel and Time with Family

If you want a little more structure, I have some journal prompts below. Going through this process of recovering from your holiday travels and time spent with family, remember that transitions can be challenging and it makes sense you’d need a little time and space to work through whatever happened. You don’t have to “soldier on” or “suck it up.” Be with yourself and give yourself what you need, whatever that may be.

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Trauma HealingDenise Renyeholiday, winter solstice, winter holidays, winter blues, holiday seasion, marin county sex therapist
Create Peace in Your Relationships with Nonviolent Communication
Create Peace in Your Relationships with Nonviolent Communication

NVC is a method of speaking and listening developed by psychologist Dr. Marshall Rosenberg based on the premise that connection more easily leads to solutions. Oftentimes when people communicate with one another it’s in a binary way: “I’m right, you’re wrong,” or “I’m good and you’re bad.” These ways of thinking often lead to anger and anger can lead to violence if it’s not expressed healthily.

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Couples Therapy, Sex Therapy, Trauma HealingDenise Renyecouples, non violent communication, marin county sex therapist
Exploring the Sensual Art of Body Worship in Human Sexuality
Exploring the Sensual Art of Body Worship in Human Sexuality

Body worship is a form of sexual play where one partner lavishes praise, attention, and sensual affection upon the other partner's body. It is a practice rooted in the idea that the human body is a work of art, worthy of admiration and celebration. This form of sexual expression transcends the boundaries of societal norms and allows individuals to explore their desires, connect on a deeper level, and foster a sense of intimacy that goes beyond the physical.

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Couples Therapy, Sex Therapy, Sexuality, Somatic Psychology, Trauma Healing, SexologyDenise Renyebody worship, sensuality, sensual, consent, consensual sex, marin county sexologist, marin county psychologist, marin county CA, marin county, marin county sex therapist, EMDR therapist Marin county