Heather Rensmith (she, her, hers)

My Approach to Helping

My approach is one that values strengths and empowers people to pursue their ideal life situations. My goal is not to pathologize differences, but help people acknowledge their concerns, seek acceptance or accommodation and thier own versions of optimal functioning. I enjoy working with individual and couples who practice various relationship models and structures (monogamy, polyamory, non-monogamy, kink), who are part of the queer community, or who are still figuring out their community. I take an eclectic approach to therapy and draw upon common treatment approaches including, the Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT), Gottman Method Couple Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, as well as helping people differentiate, utilize more skills based work (CBT, ACT)

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I most enjoy working with individuals and couples who are working on issues surrounding their sexuality and sexual health. Our work together could explore functioning (pain, erectile dysfunction, chronic or acute illness and its impact on sexual functioning), desire, arousal, and varying interests, communication, grief and loss, or trauma recovery. Sex therapy often involves education, validation, and normalization. I graduated from the University of Michigan School of Social Work in 2002 after obtaining by BA in Women's Studies from Michigan State University. I am licensed in the State of Oregon and Washington as a Clinical Social Worker. I have completed a Sexual Health Certificate from the University of Michigan School of Social Work in sex therapy and education. I am an AASECT certified sex therapist as well as certified by the Sexual Health Alliance in the treatment of Problem Sexual Behavior.