We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dr. Stacy Friedman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dr. Stacy below.

Dr. Stacy, appreciate you joining us today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?

In the field of sexology, there are so many intimate moments that I have been able to share with my clients in respect to their relationships, their growth and their individuality. I have so many heartwarming stories of those ah-ha moments where things just clicked, where people would be in session and cry because they had a special experience or connection that they couldn’t have before and were finally able to develop. Many individuals who struggled with performance anxiety or inability to orgasm would thank me over and over again how the skills that they learned have made all the difference in the world, allowing them greater confidence and enjoyment out of sex and intimacy. Helping a young adult in their journey through self discovery of their gender and finally coming to the realization of who they are were some of the most special. Them being able to come out to their parents and to the world was a story that I will never forget because they came in to the sessions with an energy so low and after working with them, they left with a smile and a light that was so bright you could feel it in the air. One of my favorite stories that I look back on was a couple that was so disconnected that they were always fighting all about sex, not getting sex, feeling the obligation to have sex and just weren’t happy. Intimacy was gone and they didn’t know how to get it back. After working with them for a few weeks, we talked about the hug exercise which allowed them to connect without sex on the mind and just focus on the touch and connection. When in the office I told them to hug, feel each other’s heart beat, smell each others hair and neck, feel the softness of their skin and when the husband did so, he all of a sudden let out a huge cry. Then she cried and then I cried because the tears were so real and raw. I asked why the cry was so intense and he said he didn’t realize how much he missed the simple things that connected them in the first place. He felt he missed so much of her because the focus was all about sex and not about connecting. It was at that moment that they understood why they were in my office, why connecting on a different level was so important and learned how to get their intimacy back. From then on they just blossomed. I will never forget that moment.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got into the field of Clinical Sexology because of my passion for helping people better connect and experience the best sexual intimacy with themselves or with their partner(s). I had my own personal journey with painful sex where I didn’t know where to turn, how to help my relationship and who to talk to so I promised I would be there to support others in their sexual journeys to know they weren’t alone.

I hold a Doctorate degree in Human Sexuality in addition to a Masters in Clinical Sexology and am a Certified Sex Coach. I am a member of WASC (World Association of Sex Coaching), including ACS (The American College of Sexologists) which shows that I have earned top credentials in my field. I also have a BA in Psychology and was a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer and Vascular Sonographer since 1994. This experience allows me to have a vast medical background and be knowledgeable about medical conditions and disease processes that can affect how the body functions physically, emotionally and sexually.

I have also had the experience of reaching many men and women to educate them in a fun, positive approach to love, romance and all aspects of sexuality through my workshops and expertise with regard to adult toys and novelties since 2006. My education, my own sexual journey and life experience enable me to help others move forward in a positive direction to face the challenges that may lie ahead and to achieve their goals.

Coaching is designed to help women, men, of any sexual orientation or gender, address their concerns about sexuality, sexual function, and sexual expression.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

If I could go back, I would definitely chose the same field and would probably have done it sooner if I knew the impact it would have on others! The field of sexology is a fairly newer field and not one that everyone knows about. When people give themselves the chance to really work on their intimacy and are open to self discovery within their own sexuality, the light bulbs go off and they always say to me they wish they had met me sooner. Too many people are riddled with shame, guilt, cultural and religious backgrounds and other things that keep them frozen or blocked and are unable to be true to their sexual nature. Having a safe space and someone who they find relatable to talk to and open up with can be life changing for them and their relationships. Seeing the smiles when couples tell me they started kissing again and actually having fun in the bedroom, a person who tells me that they can finally be true to their sexual orientation, a man who releases any performance anxiety and can have the confidence to be strong in bed or a women who has finally found her orgasm…these are the reasons that I love what I do and would chose this career over and over again!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Being a coach in the field of sexology has been a little tough because people don’t always take you seriously. In order to help build my reputation in the field, I have had to go above and beyond at the beginning by getting all the education I could get to be able to show others that this is a legit career and not just a past time. I got my doctorate in Human Sexuality in order to show that this field is important and needed in today’s society and that I am doing all that I can to make sure to help others feel comfortable that they will get the best support and care by working with me. Once I got my doctorate, people started taking me more seriously and as the clients started coming in, I started getting great reviews, they started sharing with their friends and some referrals started coming. When it came to other professional referrals such as physicians or other therapists, coaches and professionals in the healthcare field, it was a matter of hearing from others how happy they were with the results of the clients they referred and the word trickled that I could help and support others. The referrals from others continued and now that is my main source of connecting with clients. Having a great website and SEO helps bring people to your page where they can read about you and find places to hear me speak, such as my YouTube, and read my articles or the book that I wrote to learn more about me and how I work. You can find a link to a free download here as well drstacyfriedman.com/book. I do offer a 15 minute complimentary consult to see if my services are right for you so anyone can reach out for support all over the world!

Contact Info:

• Website: DrStacyFriedman.com
• Instagram: @drstacyfriedman
• Facebook: @drstacyfriedman
• Linkedin: DrStacy
• Twitter: @drstacyfriedman
• Youtube: @drstacyfriedman
• Other: Facebook.com/groups/intimacysexandempowerment -FOR WOMEN Facebook.com/groups/mensexandempowerment -FOR MEN