sex-positive and gender-affirming therapy in bc
gender and sexuality are often discussed together, but they are not the same thing. both are shaped by culture, history, and social expectations, and both are experienced differently by each person. for folks in bc seeking gender-affirming, sex-positive counselling, understanding these differences can be an important step toward self-acceptance, healing, and more authentic relationships.
what is gender?
gender refers to how a person understands and expresses themselves in relation to identities such as man, woman, non-binary, both, or neither. gender is shaped by culture, family, institutions, and social norms.
in western societies, including here in bc, we are often taught rigid ideas about masculinity and femininity. gender theorist judith butler described gender as something we perform—something shaped by repeated social expectations rather than biology alone.
gender affects everyone, not only people who identify as transgender or non-binary. when people become more aware of how cultural expectations have influenced them, gender expression can become affirming, empowering, and self-directed.
what is sexuality?
sexuality is often defined through medical and social systems, frequently based on anatomy or assumptions made at birth. these definitions can influence expectations about attraction, desire, and relationships throughout a person’s life.
in bc and across canada, conversations about sexuality are becoming more open, yet many harmful myths and stigmas still persist. these may include:
- sexual shame
- stigma around sexually transmitted infections
- rape myths that place responsibility on survivors
- pressure to conform to narrow ideas of “normal” sexuality and gender
these messages can make it difficult to speak openly or seek support, especially when someone feels their experiences fall outside dominant norms.
working towards sexual joy in counselling
many people in british columbia seek counselling to unpack sexual shame, ignorance, and the cultural messages they’ve internalized about gender, desire, and identity. they want to feel free from these stories.
in a trauma-informed, sex-positive counselling space, healing begins with being heard without judgement. by sharing your experiences safely, shame can soften, making room for greater self-compassion, agency, and joy.
to read more about moving towards greater sexual joy, check out this article on my blog.
gender-affirming counselling in bc
i offer gender-affirming, trauma-informed counselling for adults in british columbia, including support around gender identity. sessions are available virtually, making care accessible across the province.
i am committed to providing gender-affirming counselling in british columbia, and to being an active ally to people of all genders and identities. by sharing our truths, we invite open conversation. we emancipate from cultural messages about sexual shame, freeing us for more authentic ways of being.
here is a collaboration i did with the women's centre in nelson, bc where we explored some of the ever-evolving aspects of feminism. our conversation touched on gender, identity, power, and lived experience, and how these ideas shift over time. far from being a fixed concept, feminism grows as culture changes, and evolves as we come to new understandings of equity, justice, and inclusion.