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Finding a Sex Therapist Near Me: How to Know If Were the Right Fit If youve ever typed sex therapist near me into Google, youre not alone. People search for sex therapy for many reasonsconcerns about intimacy, mismatched desire, pain during sex, communication struggles, relationship changes, trauma, menopause, or simply wanting a healthier, more fulfilling connection with themselves or their partner.But once you start scrolling, the next big question often becomes: How do I know who is actually qualifiedand who is the right fit for me? Lets break that downWhat Does a Sex Therapist Actually Do? A sex therapist is a licensed mental health professional with specialized training in human sexuality, intimacy, and relationships. Sex therapy is talk therapy, not physical or hands-on work, and it focuses on the emotional, psychological, relational, and sometimes medical factors that influence sexual well-being. People often seek sex therapy for: Low or mismatched desire Difficulty with arousal or orgasm Pain with sex Sexual shame or anxiety Relationship or communication concerns Life transitions (pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, illness, grief) Exploring identity, boundaries, or values around intimacy Sex therapy is also not just for couplesmany individuals seek support for personal growth, confidence, and healing.Why AASECT Certification Matters When searching for a sex therapist near you, one of the most important things to look for is AASECT certification. AASECT (the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists) is the gold standard for professional training in sexuality. As an AASECT-certified sex therapist, I have completed: Extensive, specialized education in human sexuality Supervised clinical training focused specifically on sex therapy Ongoing continuing education to stay current and ethical in practice This means youre working with someone who is not only licensed, but deeply trained to handle sensitive, complex, and often vulnerable topics with care, competence, and respect. How I May Be the Right Fit for You Finding the right sex therapist isnt just about credentialsits also about feeling safe, understood, and supported. You may feel aligned working with me if youre looking for: A Judgment-Free, Inclusive Space I work from a sex-positive, trauma-informed, and affirming lens. There is no normal you have to live up toonly what feels authentic and healthy for you. Whole-Person, Holistic Care Sexual concerns rarely exist in isolation. I integrate emotional health, stress, identity, relationships, life transitions, and even grief into our work together. Practical + Emotional Support Sessions blend reflection, education, and tangible toolsso youre not just talking about whats wrong but learning how to move forward with clarity and confidence. Support Through Transitions Many clients seek sex therapy during periods of changemenopause, postpartum shifts, medical diagnoses, relationship transitions, or burnout. These seasons deserve care, not silence. What to Expect When Starting Sex TherapyIts normal to feel nervous before your first session. We move at your pace. Early sessions focus on understanding your goals, history, concerns, and what a fulfilling outcome would look like for you. You dont need to have the right words. "You dont need to know exactly whats wrong. You just need to be open to exploring what could feel better.Looking for a Sex Therapist Near You?If youre searching for a sex therapist near you and want someone who is professionally trained, compassionate, and experienced in helping individuals and couples navigate intimacy with confidence and care, Id be honored to connect.Virtual and in-person options available & Consultations available to ensure the right fit You deserve support that honors your body, your relationships, and your whole selfnot just one piece of the puzzle.

Medical Cannabis Certification: Opening a New Option for Chronic Pain ReliefFor many people living with chronic pain, the standard optionsmedications, physical therapy, injections, surgery dont always fully do the job. Thats why more clinics are offering complementary or alternative approaches, one of which is medical cannabis. Nura Clinics offers a certification process for qualifying patients in Minnesota to access medical cannabis. Why Consider Medical Cannabis?Medical cannabis is not a first-line treatment for most conditionsbut for patients who have persistent pain, nerve damage, inflammation or who wish to reduce reliance on opioids, it can be a valuable component of a broader care plan. According to Nura, cannabis (through compounds such as THC and CBD) interacts with the bodys endocannabinoid system, affecting pain perception, inflammation and mood. For example: It may reduce pain and improve sleep for some patients.  It may carry a lower risk of dependency compared to high-dose opioids (though cannabis has its own risks and should be used under supervision).  Its best considered as part of a comprehensive planNura integrates cannabis certification with physical therapy, behavioral health, medication management and interventional procedures.  Who Qualifies?In Minnesota, certification typically requires that a patient have a qualifying medical condition (often chronic pain among them) and that a provider determine that medical cannabis is appropriate. At Nura Clinics, the program is offered for patients with chronic pain, including conditions like arthritis, neuropathic pain or nerve-damage pain. Before you enroll, its important to understand that: Insurance currently does not cover medical cannabis in Minnesota.  Not every patient is a good candidate; cannabis may not be suitable if you have certain medical conditions, mental health issues, or are on medications that interact. Using cannabis requires ongoing monitoring, dose adjustments and possibly integration with other therapies. Whats the Certification Process Like?Heres how Nura outlines their certification process: Nura Pain Clinics+1 Schedule an Appointment Youll meet with a qualified practitioner at the clinic to evaluate your pain condition and whether medical cannabis might help. Pay the Certification Fee For Nura, the initial certification visit costs $250.  Complete Forms Beforehand There are required forms (from the Office of Medical Cannabis) to fill out ahead of your visit.  Receive Certification If approved, youll get an email with a registration link to apply with the state. Approval may take up to 30 days.  Recertification After the initial period, youll need to renew. Nuras fee for recertification every three years is $200.  Once you are certified and registered, you can then visit dispensaries (in Minnesota) that provide medical cannabis products (flowers, edibles, topicals, vaporizers). Product costs vary widely. Things to Keep in Mind Not insurance covered: As noted above, Minnesota does not require insurance companies to cover medical cannabis, so costs for products and ongoing care are often out-of-pocket.  Ongoing care is important: Certification is just the start. Monitoring, dose adjustment, side-effect assessment and integration with other therapies are essential. Legal/regulatory context: Medical cannabis is controlled and regulated; staying compliant with state requirements is key. Not a miracle cure: While some patients achieve relief, cannabis is not guaranteed to resolve all pain or replace other therapies completely. Its most effective when part of a broader, personalized care plan. Talk to your provider: If you have psychiatric history, substance use history, are pregnant, or are taking certain medications, cannabis may not be appropriate. Always consider risks vs benefits. Why Nuras Approach Stands OutWhat sets Nuras certification program apart is its integration into a full pain-management clinic. Rather than offering cannabis certification as a stand-alone service, they embed it alongside other treatments: They look at your full pain picture back, neck, nerve, joint, cancer-related pain etc.  They ensure that medical cannabis is one component of a broader plan, not a stopgap.  Their process is structured (fixed fees, required forms, registration) which gives clarity to patients. Is Medical Cannabis Right for You?If youre experiencing chronic pain that has not responded fully to other treatments, and youre curious whether medical cannabis might help, consider these questions: Have you had a complete evaluation with a pain-specialist clinic? Do you understand the state regulations and costs involved? Are you prepared for possible side-effects (e.g., cognitive changes, mood shifts, risk of dependency)? Can you commit to follow-up monitoring, therapy adjustments and a multi-modal care plan? If you answered yes to many of these, then seeking certification may be a reasonable next step.Final ThoughtsMedical cannabis certification is increasingly recognized as a valid option for certain patients with chronic pain. At Nura Clinics in Minnesota, the program is clearly laid out: set fee, registration process, recertification requirements. Most importantly, its done within a comprehensive pain-management setting meaning you wont be offered cannabis certification in isolation, but as part of a plan that includes physical therapy, behavioral health, medication management and interventions. If youre tired of living with pain that limits your quality of life, it may be time to explore whether medical cannabis could help you. Start by speaking with your pain-management provider, ask about this option, and evaluate it as one component of a broader path to relief and function. Note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider about your specific medical condition and treatment options.Call Nura Clinics for more information at 763-537-6000 or visit www.nuraclinics.com  

It is a sad commentary on our current cultural worldview that sunlight is widely perceived to be harmful, a cancer-causing threat. But what does the research actually say? And does this research affect older adults differently than other people?Spectrum: For starters, we should understand that sunlight is a complex combination of photons, with different wavelengths and properties. The sun is the original full-spectrum illumination, while both incandescent and LED lights emit, as one might expect, mostly visible-spectrum light.Intensity: The other important variable is the intensity of light, measured in LUX units (a foot away from one candle): direct sun comes in at 100,000; a cloudy day at 1,000; a kitchen or office measures 500; and a living room only 50. Thats why you need to get outside.UV: At one extreme is ultraviolet light (UV), whose wavelength is slightly shorter than visible violet. With regard to our health, UV is a mixed bag.It does cause sunburns, damages DNA, and triggers the aging of skin. It is also statistically associated with malignant melanoma, although, curiously, not with increased deaths from melanoma (because these cancers are mostly treatable).On the other hand, there are numerous health benefits: UV lowers the risk of hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), blood inflammation, and COVID infections. UV also stimulates Vitamin D synthesis in the skin. A large-scale study of 500,000 Brits, with a 12-year follow-up, found that frequent UV exposure lowered all-cause mortality by 14%, with cardiovascular deaths down 21% and total cancer mortality decreased by 13%. It gives one pause to reconsider the vast sums spent on sunscreen lotions. Just wearing light summer clothing blocks 80% of UV.IR: UV radiation represents only about 3% of the sunlight that strikes the surface of the earth, while about 50% is infrared (IR), whose lightwaves are just beyond (longer) than visible reds. IR radiation is more predominant at the beginning and end of days, while UV is strongest when the sun is overhead. A thick cloud cover reduces IR significantly more than UV. In a recent superb Huberman Lab podcast, Dr. Roger Seheult touted the many benefits of IR radiation. Most severe and chronic diseases also involve mitochondrial dysfunction (mitochondria are the small organelles within a cell that produce the energy-generating chemical ATP). One aspect of aging is that we lose 70% of our mitochondrial functioning after age 40. Unlike UV, IR radiation passes through light clothing and the surface of the skin to penetrate deep into body tissues, where it significantly stimulates mitochondrial ATP synthesis.Effects: The effects of improved mitochondrial functioning are pervasive, correlated empirically with sun exposure. Dr. Seheult cited statistics demonstrating that the greatest number of all-cause mortality comes soon after the shortest day of the year, and the lowest number of deaths occurs close to the longest days.People who live far north or south of the equator where days are particularly short in winter have higher overall mortality rates, particularly in mid-winter. In a study of almost 30,000 Swedish women, avoidance of sun exposure carried the same risk of premature death, as did smoking.There is well-replicated rigorous research that moderate IR exposure lowers the risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and it reduces blood lipids and chronic inflammation. IR increases immune system response to infections, such as influenza, COVID and pre-cancerous cells.On a sunny day, just 15 minutes outside can make a big difference. If youre in a green space with lots of grasses, leaves, bushes, and trees, you can receive two to three times the IR dose because plants reflect much of the IR that strikes them (notice that most leaves dont get hot in the sun because of these reflective properties).Red Light Therapy: There are many red-light therapy devices now available if you are considering them, be sure to carefully research IR wavelengths, dosage, safety, and therapeutic benefit. One study, utilizing an IR desk unit shining only on face, neck, and hands, proved to be quite therapeutic.Forest Bathing? Dr. Seheult delighted in reminding us of the wisdom of the ancient beliefs that sunlight and fresh air promote convalescence. Forest bathing has become a thing the air around trees is infused with phytoncides that defend plants from bacteria, fungi, and insects. When inhaled by humans, they up- regulate immune functioning and lower stress levels, and reduce stress hormones. The beauty and serenity of such an environment further enhances these benefits, some of which are detectable by lab tests a month later. Furthermore, getting up with the sun (and out from behind the filtering effects of plate glass windows) helps to set your circadian rhythm, which can improve sleep patterns. Take home message: forests, parks and even golf courses soothe the soul, and the body. And early morning and late afternoon may be particularly beneficial.Sweat Benefits: Dr. Seheult is a pulmonologist who treats many respiratory infections he also reminded us about how previous generations treated patients with hot baths and hot packs, as if to sweat out infections. Its been recently discovered that body temperatures a little over 100 degrees Fahrenheit actually accelerate the production of interferon, a powerful anti-viral protein. Maybe weve been a little too quick to reduce our fevers with aspirin, Tylenol, and Advil. And maybe the saunas so favored by Scandinavians and Russians are more therapeutic than weve realized.Conclusion: As spring has sprung, we encourage everyone to get away from your screens, go outside and enjoy the benefits of the sunshine that so amply surrounds us. Residents at Kavod Senior Life have a myriad of ways to get outside, whether it be on the sunlit patio areas, in the resident gardens, on the nearby walking paths in Cherry Creek or on the many benches and sitting areas surrounding the campus. Come for a visit and see for yourself!Ben and Scott  https://theagingwiselyproject.com/