Therapy For Sex Workers

I am a therapist for sex workers in Berkeley, CA.  As a therapist for sex workers, I believe it is important that I offer a non-judgmental and affirming perspective that recognizes sex work as a valid and legitimate profession. Being able to not only feel tolerated but to be celebrated and encouraged to show up authentically is crucial for healing in the therapeutic relationship

Therapists for sex workers should acknowledge the challenges of your job, both validating your work under capitalism and not adding to the stigma that you already experience. Psychotherapists should explore how sex workers feel about their work. Sex work can be emotionally challenging, with unique stressors and vulnerabilities. Affirming therapy provides emotional support, helping sex workers develop coping strategies to navigate the complexities of their work, manage boundaries, and maintain their mental well-being--without making the problem sex work itself. Having a therapist who understands the experience of stigma and the intricacies of the work can be hugely validating.

Though the dominant narrative insists sex workers are helpless victims, many are adept entrepreneurs who enjoy their work. Enjoying the work or not, some sex workers suffer from embarrassment or stigma and may hide their work from many people in their lives or everyone in their lives. Sex workers may risk prosecution or violence from law enforcement and others. Some wish to exit the field, but stigma complicates career gaps and resumes. I offer cultural humility, deep listening, client-led psychotherapy, and collaborative treatment plans when offering therapy for sex workers.