Erynn Besser

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Erynn is a queer-identified Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist. Erynn offers an affirming, sex-positive space for folks to explore their experiences and identities. They are passionate about working with the queer and trans community and creating space to acknowledge the oppressive systems which cause harm, making it challenging to live as our full selves. Erynn considers themselves a pleasure activist who uses creativity, humor, and authenticity to support their client’s path towards healing, empowerment, and liberation 

Erynn values working with their clients from a holistic, collaborative and relational lens. Their primary focus areas are identity exploration, self-esteem, relationships, and sex, including issues related to sexual functioning, Kink/BDSM, desire discrepancy, communication, and boundary setting. Erynn is experienced in LGBTQIA+ and non-monogamy issues, working with both individuals and partnerships. They are also knowledgeable in psychedelic medicines and are drug user friendly.  

Education and Credentials

  • AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST)
  • Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
  • MA in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

What do you like to do when you are not working? What do you do for fun?

When I’m not working, you will typically find me with my community, tending to my home (I consider myself a house-witch), or spending time in nature. I enjoy small music festivals and attending live shows with my community any chance I get.

What do you like about being a therapist?

I’m biased, but I have the privilege of working with the coolest humans. My favorite part of being a therapist is getting to witness folks’ step into their power. I learn so much about life by hearing their stories and experiences, which are filled with strength and resiliency. 

What are you excited about? What is your passion?

I’m really excited about the pleasure movement and constantly finding ways to incorporate pleasure into my life and helping folks do the same. We tend to view pleasure in our society with a very narrow lens and I am passionate about bursting that lens wide open to view pleasure as everything from simple movements and savoring joyful sensations, to embracing our identities. As Adrienne Maree Brown says, “There is no way to repress pleasure and expect liberation, satisfaction, or joy.”  

I work with

  • Emerging Adults (18-24)
  • Adults
  • Older Adults
  • Relationships (Consensual Non-Monogamy & Monogamy)
  • LGBTQIA+ folks

Therapeutic Modalities

  • Emotion-Focused
  • Existential
  • Feminist
  • Harm-Reduction
  • Humanistic
  • Internal Family Systems
  • Multicultural
  • Narrative
  • Pleasure-Focused
  • Relational
  • Strength-Based

Areas of Interest

  • Anxiety
  • Divorce/Separation
  • Family of origin
  • Gender
  • LGBTQIA+ issues
  • Life transitions
  • Marriage/Long-term partnership
  • Peer Relationships
  • Polyamory/Open Relationships
  • Self-esteem
  • Sex and Sexuality
  • Stress
  • Trauma

What do you do for self-care?

  • Nature / Backpacking
  • Reading
  • Tend to my home
  • Listen to music
  • My own therapy
  • Spend time with community

Favorite podcasts, books or blogs

  • Pocket Coven Podcast: Where Magic and Mental Health meet
  • Multiamory Podcast
  • Anything written by Andrea Gibson
  • Resmaa Menakem’s book, My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies.  
  • The Song of Achilles and Circe by Madeline Miller
  • Emily Nagoski’s book, Come as You Are
  • Adrienne Maree Brown’s book, Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good

Individuals / Authors / Theorists who have influenced my work

  • Adrienne Maree Brown
  • Emily Nagoski
  • Esther Perel
  • Jessica Fern, Polysecure
  • Laura Erickson-Schroth, Trans Bodies, Trans Selves: A Resource by and for Transgender Communities
  • Resmaa Menakem, My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Healing Our Hearts and Bodies
  • Richard Schwartz, No Bad Parts
  • Suzanne Iasenza, Transforming Sexual Narratives: A Relational Approach to Sex Therapy

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