Alternative Lifestyles

Alternative Lifestyles

Counseling and Therapy in Philadelphia, PA, Ocean City NJ, Mechanicsville VA, Santa Fe and virtual services in Delaware, Florida, Georgia

Alternative Lifestyles Alternative lifestyles can mean many things to many different people.  This is for anyone who does not meat the “mainstream” ideals of the particular dominant culture: gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered or engage in  BDSM, S&M, three-somes, open relationships, swinging, polyamorous relationship(s).

Sexual Orientation:Sexual orientation refers to a person’s emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to individuals of a particular gender or sex. Common sexual orientations include heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, and pansexual. It is important to note that sexual orientation is distinct from one’s gender identity, which refers to one’s sense of self as male, female, or something else. Additionally, sexual orientation can also be fluid and can change over time.

BDSM: BDSM stands for Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, and Sadism and Masochism. It is a form of consensual sexual activity that often involves role-playing, power dynamics, and the use of physical restraint, pain or sensation play. BDSM should be always consensual and with mutual respect and communication between the partners.

It is important to note that BDSM is not a mental disorder or an indication of any kind of pathology, it is just a consensual sexual practice and lifestyle for some individuals. However, it is important for all parties involved to have a clear understanding of the risks and to take appropriate safety measures.

  • BDSM
  • Scene creating a scene

Open Relationships: An open relationship is a type of romantic relationship in which the partners agree to have sexual or romantic relationships with other people while still remaining in a committed relationship with each other. The specific terms of an open relationship can vary greatly depending on the individuals involved, but they generally involve a degree of openness and honesty between the partners.

Open relationships can take many forms, such as polyamory (having multiple romantic relationships at the same time), swinging (having sexual experiences with other couples) or “don’t ask, don’t tell” agreements (where partners are allowed to have other partners but don’t talk about it).

It’s important to note that open relationships require a high level of trust, communication, and understanding to work well. Partners must set clear boundaries and ground rules and be comfortable with the idea of their partner being intimate with others. It’s also crucial to have a high level of emotional security to avoid jealousy, feelings of abandonment or other negative feelings.

Gender Identity: Gender identity refers to a person’s internal sense of their own gender. It can be the same as or different from the sex assigned to them at birth, based on physical characteristics such as chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive organs.

There are many different ways that people can identify their gender, including:

  • Male or female: These are the traditional binary gender identities, corresponding to the sex assigned at birth.
  • Transgender: A person who identifies as a different gender than the one they were assigned at birth.
  • Non-binary: A person who identifies as neither exclusively male nor female.
  • Genderqueer: An umbrella term used to describe any gender identity that is not exclusively male or female.
  • Agender: A person who identifies as having no gender.

It’s important to note that gender identity is a personal and complex aspect of one’s identity and it can change throughout one’s life. It’s also important to respect people’s self-identified gender and use the name and pronouns they prefer.

If you have any questions about Alternative Lifestyles or you want to have us include a personal piece of writing that you have done, just call our professional sex therapists at 215 922 5683 x 100

Counseling and Therapy in Philadelphia, PA, Ocean City NJ, Mechanicsville VA, Santa Fe and virtual services in Delaware, Florida, Georgia

A sex therapist is a mental health professional who is trained to help individuals and couples address a wide range of sexual concerns, including sexual orientation, gender identity, open relationships, and BDSM. There are several reasons why someone might seek out a sex therapist to talk about these topics:

  • Exploration: Some people may be questioning their sexual orientation, gender identity, or may be interested in exploring open relationships or BDSM and want to talk to a professional to help them navigate these complex issues.
  • Difficulty with communication: Having open and honest conversations about sexual orientations, gender identities, open relationships, or BDSM with a partner can be challenging. A sex therapist can help individuals and couples develop effective communication skills and strategies to talk about sensitive topics.
  • Relationship issues: Issues related to sexual orientations, gender identities, open relationships or BDSM can also cause relationship problems. A sex therapist can help individuals and couples work through conflicts and find ways to improve their relationships.
  • Trauma: Some individuals who have experienced negative events related to their sexual orientations, gender identities, open relationships, or BDSM may find it helpful to talk to a therapist who has specialized training in these highly specific topics, who can help them process their experiences and cope with the trauma.
  • Cultural or societal influences: some individuals may have internalized negative beliefs or stereotypes about their sexual orientation, gender identity, open relationships or BDSM practices. A sex therapist can help them to explore and challenge these beliefs, and to feel more comfortable with themselves.

It’s important to note that seeking out a sex therapist does not mean there is something wrong with an individual or couple, it is just a way to talk about these topics in a safe and confidential environment with a professional sex therapist who is qualified and trained to help.

Counseling and Therapy in Philadelphia, PA, Ocean City NJ, Mechanicsville VA, Santa Fe and virtual services in Delaware, Florida, Georgia