Psychologist & Sex Therapist
Director, The Buehler Institute
I am a licensed psychologist and I am certified as a sex therapist and supervisor by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. I attended UCLA, USC, Pepperdine University, and California School of Professional Psychology. I am the author of a few books, most recently What Every Mental Health Professional Needs to Know about Sex, 2nd Edition. I have spoken at major conferences across the country and around the globe–and to small support groups right here in Orange County. I am affiliated with Hoag Hospital and my practice is now co-located with Hoag Pelvic Health Program with locations in Newport Beach and Irvine, CA.
Marriage & Family Therapist & Sex Therapist Supervisor
Natasha Helfer is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist/Supervisor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with almost 25 years of experience. Her expertise lies in the intersection of conservative religious upbringings and sexuality, specifically in the area of deconstructing internalized sexual shame. She runs a group practice, Symmetry Solutions, where services focus on helping people with religious trauma, reclaiming sexual desire, mixed-faith relationships, coming out journeys, healing sexual shame or trauma, and exploring sexual authenticity. Natasha was excommunicated from the Mormon church in 2021, for her advocacy in regards to sexual health.
Natasha can be reached at natashahelfer.com. She hosts the Mormon Mental Health and Mormon Sex Info Podcasts, and is the founder and current past president of the Mormon Mental Health Association. She has authored two books: Check Your Baggage: Unpack the Messages Getting in the Way of Your Sex Life and One Family, Two Views: How to Fortify Your Mixed-Faith Mormon Marriage.
Marriage & Family Therapist & Sex Therapist
Dr. Minten holds a doctorate in counseling from Oregon State University. This degree focuses on advanced clinical practice, supervision, teaching, and research.
She has a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. This degree focused on diagnosis and treatment of mental health concerns, counseling theory and techniques, as well as relationship concerns. In addition, Dr. Minten holds a post-graduate certificate program in Marriage and Family Therapy and a second post-graduate certificate in Sex Therapy. She has a specialization in LGBTIQ families and couples. She is a member of AASECT (American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists), AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists), SSSS (Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality), and she is a KAP (Kink Aware Professional). She has advanced training in sexual health, relational health, prevention and wellness for relationships, evidence-based modalities such as Emotion-Focused Therapy, motivational interviewing, Gottman Method (Certified), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Systemic and Existential Therapy, and EMDR. She brings to her work an in-depth understanding of techniques to deepen creativity.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist
Christine is the clinical supervisor for the Hoag Pelvic Health Program in Newport Beach, CA. She specializes in pelvic health with a strong background in orthopedics that she incorporates into her practice. She enjoys treating patients with sacroiliac or hip pain, coccyx pain, painful intercourse, post-partum complications, interstitial cystitis, pelvic pain and incontinence. She graduated from Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR with a B.S. in Exercise and Sport Science with a pre-therapy and allied health option. She then went on to Chapman University in Orange, CA where she received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. She is currently completing coursework for her Master's in Healthcare administration from the University of Southern California.
Psychotherapist & Sex Therapist
Dr. Dulcinea Pitagora—who also goes by Alex and uses gender neutral pronouns—has a psychotherapy and sex therapy private practice at the Manhattan Alternative Wellness Collective in support of all sexualities, genders, and lifestyles. They are proudly out as a member of the kink, poly, queer, and TGNC communities, and also as a former sex worker. They created ManhattanAlternative.com, a referral site for sex positive therapists and wellness professionals, and they co-organize the AltSex NYC Conference, a forum for expansive sexuality education.
Marriage & Family Therapist & Sex Therapist
Dr. Marylou Naccarato, is a Board Certified Clinical Sexologist and AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator who speaks from the POV as a “Little Person,” pioneered an innovative practical model for people with unique body types, living with dwarfism, disabilities, and other medical conditions to achieve optimal fulfillment in sexual expression and pleasure. She addresses disability cultural competency, body image, communication/intimacy issues, limited range of mobility, chronic pain, creative techniques, adaptive sex positions, and conducive adult devices. She consults with individuals/couples in her private practice, and conducts sexuality & disability training for students and professional clinicians in the fields of Sexology, Sex Therapy, and Physical Rehabilitation. She has presented at numerous disability and sexuality conferences. She has been featured in a variety of print, blogs, radio, and television media.
Vice President (she/her/hers)
Anneka has handled all aspects of the business, including bookkeeping, customer service, website design, video editing, curriculum development, lecturing, marketing copy, and CE provider approval. She recently completed her Master's in Counseling at George Mason University. She brings a wealth of expertise in trauma, sexuality, and neurodiversity to The Buehler Institute. Anneka is thrilled to join her mother in creating inclusive, accessible, accurate continuing education about sexuality and relationships. In her work, Anneka upholds the belief that pleasure and play are integral to high quality of life. She is well-versed in treatment options for pelvic pain, ED, PE, and low/mismatched libido. Her door is always open to clients seeking a space where they can authentically express their sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as non-traditional relationship configurations or interests (i.e., ethical non-monogamy, kink, power exchange). She believes that inclusive, culturally aware care is a cornerstone of her professional identity and strives to create welcoming environment. She is provisionally licensed in Virginia, Maryland, and DC. She currently practices under the supervision of Alicia Beltran (Pierce), LPC, LCPC.
Resident in Counseling, Educator, Writer
(she/they)
Lucie Fielding is a sexuality educator and resident in counseling in Charlottesville, Virginia. They have an MA in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute as well as a PhD in French from Northwestern University. Their background in literature attunes them to ways narrative and image impact our embodies sexualities. Their book, Trans Sex: Clinical Approaches to Trans Sexualities and Erotic Embodiments, was published by Routledge in 2021.
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Pamela Lewis, MA, LMFT, has been a licensed practitioner since 2014. Her work has been eclectic and expansive in areas of positive self-esteem, depressive and anxious disorders, as well as relationship dynamics. Pamela is currently focusing her work on physical challenges and disabilities, Autism, and the connection between sexual disorders and sexual intimate health. She’s passionate about helping clients overcome fears and stigmas as they relate to gender, sex, and sexuality. She is enthusiastic to provide education to colleagues, professionals, and those in the community. Pamela is fluent in American Sign Language and an ally to the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
(she/her/hers)
Ruby Bouie Johnson is a sex therapist in private practice in Plano, Texas. Her areas of specialty are open/ polyamorous partnerships/families, Kink/BDSM, desire discrepancy, and multicultural relationships. She is the founder and CEO for PolyDallas Millennium which is an annual symposium that centers BIPOC and consensual nonmonogamous [CNM] voices and experiences. Ms. Johnson is a speaker, writer, and therapist who has several publications and interviews in many media outlets discussing BIPOC experiences with BDSM/Kink and CNM relationships.
Her perspective and voice regarding CNM and sexuality has been sought on radio shows, blogs, podcasts, and magazines such as Playboy Magazine, Areva Martin’s Special Report, Vice, Cosmopolitan, Therapy for Black Girls, and Women’s Health. Currently, Ms. Johnson is on the Board of Directors for the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom and is the Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. She participated on the Division 44 taskforce committee that formulated the guidelines for best clinical practice Kink/BDSM and consensual nonmonogamy for the American Psychological Association.
