Kristina Scott | Sex Therapist | Oakland

Whether you’re feeling stuck in your relationship or simply want to fully access your sexual self, I’m here to support you. I help individuals, couples, and relationship systems find liberation and embodiment. 
Embarking on a journey towards sexual fulfillment and healing can be transformative, and I'm delighted and honored to serve clients in Oakland, the heart of the East Bay, a city known for its openness and diversity. I offer a unique approach to sex therapy and couples counseling, blending traditional methods with innovative techniques to support your path to sexual liberation and joy.
Whether you're wanting to find ways to improve your sexual relationship, interested in exploring alternative lifestyles like polyamory or ethical non-monogamy, grappling with the aftermath of sexual trauma or abuse, navigating the complexities of perinatal and postpartum sexuality, or seeking relief from genital or pelvic pain and painful intercourse, my practice offers a compassionate and effective solution to sexual problems. My approach is tailored to help you discover deeper sexual connection and embodiment, enhancing pleasure and joy in your relationships.
Working together, we'll delve into how your unique experiences shape your sexuality, identify barriers to satisfaction, and develop practical strategies for change.
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My approach

I believe that the work we do together is a liberatory practice, where you ultimately find your way back to your most authentic, vibrant, and embodied self. The values at the center of this practice – consent, accountability, non-violence, and decommodification – are the foundation of a vibrant and unapologetic sex-positive culture that celebrates the full depth and breadth of diverse sexual, gender and intimate relationship and identities.

My approach to sex therapy and couples therapy works at three levels of experience: Body, Earth, and Spirit. Combining Somatic Experiencing with mindfulness practices unwinds the nervous system's habitual patterns of distress, returning the body to a sense of safety and creating space for greater self love, pleasure and intimacy. But none of us exists in a vacuum. Living in awareness of our connection with the living world--the Earth we call home--serves to deepen our intimacy with one another, nurturing a sense of community and belonging and compassion and resilience. And working with the Spirit, the animating, life-giving aspect of our being serves to heal the wounds of the heart.  Together, each aspect of the practice serves to support you as you walk the path towards abundant sexual joy and emotional intimacy

Why Choose The Garden of Yes

Navigating challenges in your sex life and relationships can be hard, and finding a sex therapist or couples counselor in Oakland or the Bay Area—even with its stellar community of mental healthcare practitioners—can be daunting, so finding someone with the experience to support you in your process, and that you feel safe and comfortable enough to get vulnerable with is super important. As a trained sex therapist, I bring not only years of rigorous training in Marriage and Family Therapy, but also additional specialized training in human sexuality.  While therapists undergo extensive education, and training, surprisingly they’re not actually required to undergo any training in working with issues around sexuality.  I bring over 75 hours of post-graduate training in human sexuality and trauma resolution, complemented by ongoing professional supervision, continuing education and consultation. This expertise allows me to offer support that transcends traditional talk therapy, focusing instead on a holistic approach that seeks to integrate every aspect of your being for a return to wholeness and harmony.
The Garden of Yes differentiates itself through its orientation to the following principles: 

Social-Justice and Systems-Oriented:

Recognizing that our sexuality and relationships are significantly shaped by societal systems, I bring a critical awareness to our sessions. This perspective is essential to understand and change how systems of power and oppression affect your relationship with your body and your expressions of love.

Teaching & Learning:

Knowing that many of us have had limited or incorrect education about human sexuality, my background in education equips me to create a learning environment that's both safe and supportive, facilitating a deeper understanding of your own unique healthy sexual expression.

Somatically-Based and Trauma-Informed:

I emphasize the wisdom of the body, believing that tuning into its signals at a comfortable, manageable pace is necessary for healing. This approach is particularly effective in addressing experiences that block sexual pleasure and the ability to maintain intimate relationships.

Working Across Difference:

My life experience and personal journey give me the ability to connect with and value a diverse range of individuals. I value curiosity, open-mindedness, and humility, and hold space for all identities to be welcomed and honored.

Working with me, you are invited into a space where all aspects of your identity are held as sacred expressions of your individual experience. My practice is not just about addressing the challenges you face but about creating an environment where you can explore, grow, and transform your sexual and relational life in profound ways.

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Meet Kristina Scott | Sex Therapy | Oakland

Like the perfect pair of jeans, when it comes to looking for a therapist, fit is everything. And like any relationship, while alignment on values and approach is as a necessary foundation, it can also be helpful to have an eye towards the nuts and bolts, to know how someone got where they are today. So here's a brief overview of my education, training and credentials:

  • Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, Lic. #125384 (Supervised by Gieve Patel, LMFT, Lic. #47196)

  • Certificate in Sex Therapy, California Institute for Integral Studies, 2020

  • Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Intermediate Level III

  • MA, Integral Counseling Psychology, California Institute for Integral Studies

  • MA, Education, Stanford University

  • BA, Community Studies, UC Santa Cruz

  • Offering in-person sessions in San Francisco, or via telehealth throughout the state of California

  • Providing sex therapy since 2020

  • Modalities & Theoretical Orientation: Somatic Experiencing, Mindfulness, Buddhist Psychology, Liberation Psychology, Ecopsychology, Systems Theory, Social Justice

  • I was born and raised in Northern California, and spent several of my formative years in Hawaii, so my heart sings to the sound of the ocean. Going down this life path has led me in so many different directions, always eager to share with and care for the collective.  I hold so many identities, almost all of them lightly: Mixed race (Afro-Latin & White), second-generation immigrant and Adult Third Culture Kid, cis-gendered, straight, middle-aged, divorced, childfree-by-choice, Relationship Anarchist, homesteader and wannabe surfer.  

  • Still want more? Head on over to my bio!

FAQs about working with a sex therapist

  • As an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in California specializing in sex and relationship therapy, my job is to support clients in addressing their sexual concerns and expanding their sense of sexual well-being, all within the context of their overall individual and relational health. I aim provide a non-judgmental, safe space for clients to explore how psychological, physical, relational and environmental factors intersect, and how those factors inhibit or expand their authentic sexual expression.

    During a sex therapy session, the focus is on open and honest communication. Clients are encouraged to discuss their sexual history, beliefs, and experiences in a confidential setting. We explore topics like sexual desires, intimacy issues, performance anxieties, and relationship dynamics. Therapy may involve education on sexual health and functioning, addressing emotional blocks, and developing strategies to improve sexual satisfaction and intimacy. It's important to note that sex therapy is primarily centered on talk therapy.  While working within the Somatic Experiencing framework means that there is the option for therapeutic touch to be used in a limited way—always with client consent—there is never any genital or sexual contact of any kind.

  • As an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in sex therapy in California, I work with a range of sexual issues often. These include (but definitely aren't limited to!) open relationships, polyamory or non-monogamy, difficulty with arousal or orgasm, attachment issues, painful sex, low sexual desire, desire discrepancies between partners, performance anxiety, erectile dysfunction, unintentional (aka 'premature' or 'delayed') ejaculation, painful intercourse, sex and ageing, and issues related to sexual orientation or identity. I also work with individuals and couples dealing with the impact of infidelity, sexual trauma, and intimacy issues arising from various life stages or health conditions.

    In therapy, I often address pain points such as communication barriers between partners regarding sexual needs and preferences, psychological factors like anxiety or depression affecting sexual health, and the influence of cultural or religious beliefs on sexuality. By providing a supportive and educational environment, I aim to help individuals and couples overcome these challenges, improve their sexual health and wellbeing, deepen intimacy, and foster deeper, more satisfying relationships.

  • Absolutely! Improving sexual health and pleasure can be incredibly beneficial for our lives and health overall. Because sex is inherently relational, systems-oriented sex therapy and couples counseling can significantly improve not only our sense of well-being, but also improve communication between partners, leading to enhanced intimacy and a better understanding of each other's physical as well as emotional needs and desires. It can help individuals and couples overcome sexual dysfunctions, manage sexual health concerns, and reconcile differences in sexual desire or preferences. In my practice, I've seen how therapy can facilitate healing from sexual trauma, diminish sexual shame, improve body image and self-esteem, and address issues related to sexual orientation or gender identity. These therapeutic processes can lead to a more fulfilling sexual experience and contribute positively to overall relationship satisfaction and individual mental health.

sex therapy oakland

Find greater ease, freedom, and connection today.

My practice centers a holistic and integrative approach to sex therapy, grounded in understanding and compassion, supports a range of sexual and relational issues, and uses methods that emphasize the connection between your body, spirit, and the community of living beings that make up your life. My approach to psychotherapy is somatically-based, trauma-informed, and acknowledges the impact of societal systems on your own personal and relational world. With extensive experience in human sexuality and psychotherapy and a strong commitment to social justice, I'm delighted to provide clients a unique and comprehensive therapeutic container. If you're seeking to explore and improve your sexual well-being and relationships, I encourage you to reach out for a free consultation. Together, we can work towards achieving a more fulfilling, joyful, and integrated life.