Kayla Tricaso (she/her) is the Office Manager and Intake Specialist at Modern Intimacy. Kayla earned a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing Communications with a concentration in Public Relations from Columbia College Chicago. Whether scheduling appointments, helping with billing questions, or through the consultation process, Kayla works diligently to ensure current, and prospective clients feel seen, safe, and supported throughout their journey with Modern Intimacy. What is a "pick me" girl? It is a (shaming and misogynistic) term used to describe women who are entrenched in their own internalize ..read more

Dr. Jamie Goldenberg works at the University of South Florida and has been involved in the study of Terror Management Theory and Objectification of oneself and others, the body and sex, objectification of women. Roxanne Felig has been a part of the same research study. Dr. Goldenberg's research focuses on psychological experiences associated with being a woman. To this end, she has conducted extensive research examining the causes and consequences of objectification of women. One approach to these questions is to apply terror management theory, a theory that takes an existential perspective o ..read more

Brooke Brownlee, APCC is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor at Modern Intimacy under the supervision of Dr. Kate Balestrieri. Brooke is passionate about helping clients heal from trauma, feel more empowered sexually, and repair relationships. Brooke is continuing her education and working towards becoming a Certified Sex Therapist. “Where such men love, they have no desire, and where they desire, they cannot love.” This quote directly from Sigmund Freud describes a phenomenon he called the Madonna Whore Complex.  The Madonna Whore Complex is deeply rooted in misogynic beliefs ..read more

Dr. Joe Kort is a psychotherapist, clinical director, and founder of The Center for Relationship Health in Royal Oak, Michigan, a board-certified sexologist, an author of 4 books, a lecturer and facilitator of therapeutic workshops.  Dr. Kort specializes in marital problems and conflicts; mixed-orientation marriages; male sexuality and sexual health concerns; “compulsive sexual behavior,” out-of-control sexual behaviors; sexual identity issues; childhood sexual abuse; LGBTQIA Affirmative Therapy; Male Sexual Fluidity and Imago Relationship Therapy. Dr. Kort can be found on Instagram, TIk ..read more

Dr. Steven Kniffley jr. is a clinical psychologist, professor, author, speaker and advocate for marginalized populations. His work empowers others through therapy, education, and advocacy with issues of Racial trauma and its negative effects, how to become aware of racial and intergenerational trauma and not compartmentalize it. Dr. Kniffley is the Chief Diversity Officer for Spalding University and an Associate Professor at the Spalding University’s School of Professional Psychology. He is also the coordinator for the Collective Care Center which is one of the few racial trauma clinics in th ..read more

Our guest today is Keeley Rankin, featured in publications like Huffington Post and O Magazine. She calls herself a pleasure advocate and a sexy-preneur. Keeley is a sex and relationship coach based in San Francisco, California. She works with individuals and couples who want to embrace their innate desires, build sexual confidence, and fully realize their sexual potential. Dr. Kate and Keeley define and discuss Sex Clubs, and answer multiple questions such as What are the different frameworks of consent practiced at sex clubs. Conversations that may behoove them to have beforehand. Are they ..read more

Raquel Savage is a Black, queer, therapist, educator, and sex worker. She facilitates trauma therapy through Zepp Wellness Center, a non-profit organization she founded in 2019 that centers on the mental health needs of Black queer folk and sex workers. She does the majority of her education online via Savage University (where she has an archive of educational videos, #ThoughtProvokingThirstTraps, live streams, and more) and through Kink Media Group, a production company she started in 2020, where she posts her #SexxxEd series, a hands-on, informative and real-life version of sex ed that fill ..read more

Janelle Marina Mendez (she/her) is a feminist human rights leader turned certified human rights consultant. She is the first and only person to author, lobby, and enact intersectional military and veterans’ legislation. Her first intersectional legislation was the Restoration of Honor Act of 2019 which was signed in to law in New York State.  On the federal level the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. enacted the Safe-to-Report Policy and the Department of Defense is in the process of enacting Mendez-Viera’s Military Industry Regulatory Authority legislation that was written in to law in Congre ..read more

Yolanda is a Trauma Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor in Private Practice at Latibule Counseling (latibulecounseling.com) in Arizona. She is trained in EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Brainspotting, and DBT. She also owns Yolanda Renteria, PLLC (yolandarenteria.com), where she provides Somatic Processing Sessions, psychoeducational workshops, and speaking services.  She is passionate about helping people break generational cycles and thrive in parenting and relationships. Aside from her work in mental health, she is an Adjunct Faculty Psychology Professor at Northern Arizona Univ ..read more

Dr. Kate talks with Raquel VanLoon, LPC, CADC, A Licensed Professional Counselor in IL, a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor, and a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist - Candidate. She earned her Master's degree in counseling psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a specialization in treating addiction.    Raquel works with clients feeling overwhelmed with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, stress management, life transitions, trauma, substance use/abuse, building coping skills, body image, and lifestyle balance, to name a few. Raquel meets clients where th ..read more