Identity Affirming Sex and Relationship Therapy for Adults

Who am I?

Hi. I’m Andrea, an AASECT-certified sex and relationship therapist. I want to help you speak your mind in your relationships and feel understood. I’d love to help you flourish in your relationships and have the kind of sex you want to be having, (even if that’s no sex at all.)

My Approach

My conversational and interactive style helps capable and smart professionals address the anxiety and frustration that arises when they find they can’t use the same skills that make them superstars in their careers to be successful in their personal lives.

So often my clients say they don’t feel seen or understood in their most intimate and close relationships. Together we uncover and define their unique voice that gets lost despite all the effort they put into being good partners, spouses and friends.

I use a collaborative talk therapy process to help clients see their patterns, their obstacles, and their options for change. Together we face those overfunctioning challenges that create mental spirals that go nowhere fast. Once my clients know the obstacle(s) keeping them stuck, we unstick those stuck points.

We work through communication impasses to put their hard work ethic to use in a productive way. Clients who are committed to the process and see it through report more compassion for themselves and others, more ease in their relationships and higher satisfaction.

Throughout the therapeutic process my clients recognize how their contributions and willingness to experiment with new behaviors can allow their relationships to not only improve but thrive. Some of my clients come to individual therapy to work on their relationships and some come with significant others. Changing strategies in even one part of a relationship or in one person (that means YOU) can make meaningful and lasting change.

In our sessions we practice taking risks that clients apply in their lives outside the office. Couples and dyadic partners are instructed to practice new skills with their significant others at home to strengthen and support their goals for therapy. My clients learn to appreciate themselves and their partners for who they are and what they bring to their relationships.

I help clients reassess their expectations and redefine how they express themselves with less shame and without guilt.

Productive therapy and life change happens when a solid, trusting relationship forms between client and therapist. My greatest strength as a therapist is forming that bond quickly with my clients so that we can identify and address your concerns together. Because this bond is so important to the therapeutic process, I provide an initial free phone or video consultation to determine if we are a good fit.

My Services

I provide individual therapy, relationship therapy, and sex therapy. I offer weekly sessions and intensives. Once established with me I can provide every other week options if we determine that is an approach that will continue to allow you to reach your therapy goals. If you are interested in scheduling a free consultation to discuss your needs please contact me by email at andrea@andreamize.com or by phone at 503-957-5947.

Where I practice

I am licensed in Oregon, Washington, California and Nevada. I provide services both in-person and virtually in Oregon, and virtually for Washington, California and Nevada.

My Training

I am a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist who welcomes adults and seniors for weekly therapy. I received my BA in Psychology from the University of Akron in Ohio in 1995, and my MSW from Smith College School for Social Work in Massachusetts in 2013. I provided psychotherapy and clinical case management in non-profit clinics for several years and now devote myself full time to private practice psychotherapy.

I completed sex therapy training at the Institute for Sexuality Education and Enlightenment (ISEE) in 2022 and am a Certified Holistic Sex Therapist.I also am a AASECT-certified sex therapist with specialization in gender, kink/BDSM, and nonmonogamy in its many forms. I am a graduate of The Developmental Model of Couples Therapy Training under Ellyn Bader Ph.D. at The Couples Institute. This program uses attachment theory to better understand stages of personal and relationship development.

Areas of expertise

  • Anxiety and OCD

  • High achievement/perfectionism/over-functioning

  • Life transitions and life stress

  • Self improvement and personal growth

  • Sexual identity exploration and evolution

  • Identity invisibility and transitions related to sexual orientation, ability, and illness

  • Nonmonogamy/polyamory; CNM/ENM

  • Relationship therapy for individuals, dyads and couples

  • BDSM/kink identity knowledgeable care

  • Sexual function concerns      

  • Body image & acceptance – physical and sexual health at any age, ability or size

  • Anti-racism and racial identity development (based on work of research psychologist Janet Helms PhD, professor of sociology Patricia Hill Collins PhD, professor of law Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw JDM, and author/speaker/educator Anika Nailah)

Who I serve

  • Adults seeking help with relationships and sex-related issues

  • BDSM/Kink-identified, and/or curious individuals

  • Nonmonogamous and/or curious individuals

  • Monogamous partners of CNM/ENM and polyamorous individuals

  • Bisexual, Pansexual and Omnisexual individuals, especially those experiencing invisibility or identity erasure

  • Queer-identified, developing and questioning individuals

  • Transgender and non-binary identified individuals

  • Partners of transgender, nonbinary and gender fluid clients

  • Aging clients seeking support for sexual issues, with or without partners

Fees and Insurance

My fee for individuals is $180 for a 55-minute session. My fee for relationships/partners, couples and polycules is $200 for 55-minute session. (Note: Longer sessions are prorated based on my hourly rate, i.e. $250 for a 75-minute session.)

I am an in-network with PacificSource, Medicare (traditional 80/20 plan or PacificSource Medicare Advantage plan only), and OHP Open Card. Please check with your insurance company if your plan is not listed to see if you have out-of-network coverage that reimburses you for most or all of my fee. I can provide a monthly superbill statement for you to submit for reimbursement.

Please note that medical necessity is required for use of insurance. Together we will conduct an assessment at the first session to determine if you have a mental health diagnosis that is covered by insurance. For those seeking sex therapy please know that insurance does not typically cover this type of treatment if there is no other diagnosable condition (i.e. anxiety, etc.) Intensives are also not generally reimbursed by insurance at this time. In addition, personal growth, communication and skill building in the absence of a medically diagnosed condition is generally not covered by insurance.

Good Faith Estimate and the No Surprises Act

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service, or at any time during treatment. As part of the No Surprises Act, mental health providers are required to give clients who are not using their in-network insurance an estimate of the expected charges for psychotherapy services.

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. For more information about your rights and how to dispute a bill please see https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

Contact Info:

➤ LOCATION

10725 SW Barbur Blvd., #40, Portland, OR 97219

☎ CONTACT

Scheduling: andrea@andreamize.com

Tel: (503) 957-5947

Fax: (503) 206-0926

➤ HOURS

Mon 10am-6pm Tue 10am-6pm Wed 10am-6pm Thu 9am-5pm

CLOSED Fri, Sat, Sun (Except Intensives)

Portland Therapy Center Member
Couples Institute Developmental Model