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ARK Counseling Ltd.

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About

My name is Amanda Ripley-Kayala 

I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.  I am trained in EMDR and have completed UW-Stout’s Sex Therapy Certificate Program.

I integrate sex therapy and trauma therapy, offering a warm, relational, and LGBTQ+-affirming approach to healing. My work attends to both the emotional and physical impacts of trauma and sexuality, drawing on somatic, relational, and trauma-informed modalities. I am especially committed to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals as they explore sexual health, intimacy, identity, and trauma recovery in a way that feels safe, collaborative, and empowering.

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My Services

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Sex Therapy

  • Sexual Concerns and Dysfunctions: Helping clients address issues such as low libido, erectile dysfunction, painful intercourse, or difficulties with arousal or orgasm.

  • Sexual Identity and Orientation: Supporting individuals in exploring and understanding their sexual orientation, gender identity, or any conflicts they may be experiencing regarding these aspects of themselves.

  • Communication About Sexuality: Facilitating open, respectful communication between individuals or couples about their sexual needs, boundaries, desires, and fantasies.

  • Enhancing Intimacy: Offering strategies to deepen emotional and physical connection, rebuild intimacy, and explore new ways of engaging sexually.

  • Body Positivity and Self-Esteem: Addressing issues related to body image, self-worth, and sexual self-esteem, helping clients feel more comfortable and confident in their bodies and sexual expression.

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Trauma Therapy 

  • Trauma-Informed Care: Offering a safe, compassionate environment for clients to explore past traumatic experiences, particularly those related to sexual abuse, assault, or neglect, while ensuring the therapy process respects and protects their emotional boundaries.

  • Healing from Sexual Trauma: Supporting survivors of sexual trauma by helping them process their experiences, reduce the impact of trauma on their current lives, and rebuild a sense of trust and safety in relationships and sexuality.

  • Managing Triggers : Assisting clients in recognizing and managing triggers related to trauma, providing strategies to cope with flashbacks, anxiety, and hypervigilance, often in a relational or sexual context.

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): A therapeutic technique commonly used to help clients process and reframe traumatic memories in a safe and structured way.

  • Somatic Techniques: Utilizing body-based approaches, such as mindfulness, grounding, and breathwork, to help clients reconnect with their bodies, process trauma, and release stored emotional energy.

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Integrative Therapy for Trauma and Sexuality

  • Addressing the Connection Between Trauma and Sexuality: Many individuals experience a profound intersection between their trauma history and their sexual lives.  Explores how trauma may have impacted sexual function, desire, or identity, and works to heal these wounds through targeted interventions.

  • Rebuilding Healthy Relationships: Helping clients develop and maintain healthy, non-traumatizing relationships, whether with themselves or with a partner. This may include addressing trust issues, sexual communication, or intimacy barriers.

  • Boundaries and Consent: Assisting clients in understanding and establishing healthy boundaries, particularly in sexual contexts, while promoting a deep sense of agency and consent in all interpersonal interactions.

  • Sexual Empowerment and Reclaiming Pleasure: Working with clients to regain a sense of sexual empowerment after trauma. This includes reclaiming pleasure, connection, and control over one's sexual expression in a way that feels safe and positive.

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Individual Therapy

  • Self-Exploration of Sexuality: For individuals who may not be in a relationship, therapy may focus on exploring and understanding personal sexuality, desires, and boundaries. This can be particularly valuable for those struggling with sexual shame, guilt, or confusion.

  • Healing from Shame and Guilt: Many individuals experience intense shame or guilt related to their sexuality, especially if they have experienced sexual trauma. Provides a non-judgmental space to explore these feelings and work toward self-acceptance.

  • Mind-Body Integration: Offering techniques that help individuals reconnect with their bodies, reduce dissociation, and foster greater self-awareness in both sexual and non-sexual aspects of life.

Support for Specific Populations

  • LGBTQ+ Support: Offering specialized support for individuals in the LGBTQ+ community, addressing issues such as coming out, navigating relationships, and working through any trauma related to identity or discrimination.

  • Kink and Polyamory Affirmative Therapy: Supporting clients who practice consensual non-monogamy or kink, providing a non-judgmental space to explore these dynamics while also addressing any trauma that may have arisen from non-acceptance or past relationships.

  • Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness: Tailoring therapy to clients from diverse cultural backgrounds, recognizing that cultural attitudes toward sexuality and trauma can significantly influence the therapeutic process.

Contact Me

Get in Touch with Me Today

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