How Have LGBTQA Rights Progressed? It’s been 50 years since Stonewall, the moment that launched the queer civil rights movement, and there is a lot to celebrate. In the areas of work, housing, marriage, and access to queer-sensitive health care and HIV treatment, progress has been nothing short of astounding. At the same time, there… read more
Could I Benefit From Sex Therapy?
Sex is a natural part of life—as are the occasional sexual health concerns. According to Dr. Derek Polonsky of Harvard Medical School, between 35 and 50 percent of all people will experience a long-term sexual issue (anything from difficulty reaching orgasm to mismatched sex drives between partners) at some point in their lives. With rates that… read more
The Psychological Impact of Sexual Objectification
While there are many types of objectification, her project looks specifically at sexual objectification, which occurs when people (often, but not always, women) are portrayed “solely as de-personalised objects of desire instead of as individuals with complex personalities and desires/plans of their own.”
What is bisexual erasure?
Isn’t it frustrating when you know for certain that something is true, yet the person you’re talking to refuses to believe you? Maybe they’re questioning a theory that you spent years developing in graduate school. Maybe they’re misremembering the plot of your favorite book. Either way, their patronizing attitude and refusal to recognize your knowledge… read more
The Psychological Effects of Stereotyping: A Study Through the Lens of Asexuality
Researchers have a number of theories about why we engage in the act of stereotyping. Some believe it developed as a way to promote group identity and strengthen the social systems that allow us to survive. Others believe it’s simply a matter of ease, as our brains process categorized information more efficiently.
Yet for every evolutionary “pro” that comes with stereotyping, there are several obvious cons. In addition to popularizing untrue (and often insulting) myths about large and diverse groups of people, stereotyping can have devastating psychological effects on the people being categorized.
Reclaiming Your Sexual Self After Trauma, ft. Alina McClerklin, LICSW
The effects of trauma are multifaceted; it can alter not only our mood, but also the sensations we feel in our body, such as headaches, gastrointestinal distress, and more. It can even make us feel as though we’ve lost control of essential parts of ourselves; many survivors of sexual trauma, for example, struggle to regain their sense of control over their own sexuality.
How can we reclaim this essential part of ourselves and learn to find joy from it? We looked to experienced therapists, including Viva Practitioner Alina McClerklin, LICSW, and sex therapist Vanessa Marin, for ways to regain one’s sense of control.
Keeping Intimacy Alive in Long-Term Relationships
According to a recent study, “Healthy sexual function is a…life quality factor that creates a sense of shared pleasure in couples and increases their capability” to cope with stress and life problems. “Sexual interactions are indeed the prerequisite for strengthening mental and emotional dependence in couples, and are under the influence of many factors.”
So how can couples keep their sex life functioning healthily through long periods of time and major life changes?
Using the Sacral Chakra to Engage with your Sexuality
The Sacral Chakra is located just above the pubic bone and is responsible for passion, sexuality, intimacy, money, creativity, and joy. The balance of the Sacral Chakra allows us to improve our relationships with ourselves and others.
