Sex work is real work! Sex-workers face social and health disparities due to laws that discriminate and social structures that devalue sex-work. The stress this marginalization causes can contribute to mental health challenges, not related to the job itself. Sex-worker affirmative therapy recognizes the impact of these systems on mental health and aims to empower sex-workers.

Sex-Work affirmative therapy can involve the following:

  • Working through feelings related to social stigma; decreasing shame and building self-confidence.
  • Developing a sense of community with people who are sex-worker affirming.
  • Adopting a harm reduction model of therapy, to decrease any health and physical risks related to sex-work.
  • Helping navigate personal relationships such as issues related to dating and sex.
  • Navigating coming-out to friends or family as a sex-worker, if it feels safe to do so. Exploring living life more authentically.
  • Improving work-related boundary setting and developing skills to avoid burn-out.
  • Assisting in building mind-body connection.

This list was adapted from the following article:

Bloomquist, K., & Sprankle, E. (2019). Sex worker affirmative therapy: Conceptualization and case study. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 34(3), 392-408

I provide  sliding scale therapy to people who work in the adult industry, who are in financial need through Pineapple Support.