I coach individuals and partners online and in person, facilitate group conversations about how we can create juicy, vibrant sexual lives that reflect our feelings and values, and speak about my story of sexual recovery.

Sexuality & Relationships

I co-authored Awaken Your Sexuality: A Guide to Intimacy and Connection After Addiction and Trauma (and the workbook!) with Dr. Stephanie Covington, a renowned author, researcher, and long-time advocate of trauma-informed and gender-responsive care. I speak publicly on a variety of sexuality topics and facilitate sexual self discovery for individuals and partners in my coaching practice. 

Anything that affects our lives affects our experience of sexuality. As a trained sexuality educator, Gender Studies graduate certificate holder, and a longtime sex worker, I draw on both evidence-based practices and community wisdoms in my work.

Sex and gender exist at the nexus of the personal and the political. Creating honest, shame-free, intimate relationships requires effort, skill, and the freedom to seek authentic self expression. As a survivor of sexual assault and intimate partner violence, my own experience of sexual recovery informs my practice.

Trainings

Facilitate a group with the Awaken Your Sexuality workbook. Learn somatic techniques to share with clients. Boost your team’s cultural competence with sexual subcultures.

Coaching

Enhance your sexual communication and intimacy skills. Bring your questions about gender, kink, nonmonogamy, sex work, and anything else to a shame-free space. Connect (or reconnect) with your own body.

Speaking

Hear Vanessa’s story about their own sexual recovery, book a Sex Work 101 for your students or team, bring the wisdom of Awaken Your Sexuality to your human services organization, podcast, or classroom.

What People Say About Vanessa’s Coaching

“With Vanessa I find myself constantly having significant realizations resulting in my gaining important insight days, and sometimes weeks, after my sessions. Vanessa has a real gift.”

—E

“I highly recommend this passionate advocate for the best in human beings." 

—Jerri Allyn

“I know Vanessa as a fierce defender of our right to pro-sex activities and body autonomy. Since hiring Vanessa as a coach, I've learned that they are also very humane, deeply compassionate, and an astute, insightful observer.”

—Sexuality Coaching client

 

“When I worked with Vanessa to get a handle on a serious breakdown with a family member, we combined discussion with discovery. Vanessa drew on various methods, like somatic movement and breathing techniques to get at my hidden ‘itches’ - unconscious behaviors that don’t serve us. Vanessa facilitated my learning a few more strategies for respectfully managing that breakdown. “

—Sexuality Coaching client