SEX & INTIMACY COACH

I have over two decades of experience specializing in navigating complex relational struggles around sex and intimacy. While I am an advanced psychotherapist and interventionist, my innovative approach to relational healing sets me apart from many of my peers. I have always found myself deeply curious and hungry to know more about humans, romantic relationships and sex. While I have countless training under my belt, and have taught for years, I believe some of the most important lessons come from deeply engaging with life. I know how transformative a good therapist and coach can be in one's life.

My Journey as a Sex Coach

Throughout my career, I have been a faculty member at prestigious institutions such as Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and DePaul University, where I developed courses in Sex Therapy, Psychophysiology, and Trauma-Informed Mindfulness. I’ve also done extensive training at Harvard Medical School Mind/Body Medicine program and UMASS Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher training program.

While I appreciate the traditional psychotherapeutic lens, my interests have also led me into training all across the personal growth landscape including somatic (mind/body) approaches to holistic health, EMDR, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. I am recognized nationally and locally as a trainer on these vital topics, shaping the next generation of mental health professionals.

Who I work with

I love supporting individuals and couples into relational repair, personal growth and erotic fulfillment. Bridging psychological strategies with practical exercises, my clients are empowered by insights that translate info into actionable steps. My clients share that they feel cared for, supported and pushed out of their comfort zone.

My Approach

I excel at addressing communication breakdowns and facilitating resolutions within complex couples. When this is mastered, there is a true strength and depth within a couple.

I have also taken professional training in Mediating & Mitigating, Finances Counseling and End-of-Life Counseling. Specializing in discrete treatment for high-wealth individuals and families facing high-conflict issues, my approach emphasizes personal support. All my interventions are tailored to support you, the client, in achieving greater emotional, psychological and physical well-being.

My practice is based virtually, and I call Miami, California, and Chicago my home. I also do personal private intensives all across the United States, Mexico and Europe.

Professional Training

EDUCATION:
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO, SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

PhD 2014

VA MEDICAL CENTER Bronx, NY

Post-Graduate Interdisciplinary Fellowship in Palliative Care 2003-2004

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY New York, NY

MSW, Master in Social Work 2003

Clinical Internships:

• New York Police Department, Counseling Unit with a focus on trauma and addictions Brooklyn, NY (2002-2003)
• International Center for the Disabled, Mental Health Services with a focus on traumatic brain injury and treatment, NY (2001-2002)

PUBLICATION:

Sheehan, C., (2017) Beginning with the Larger Social System: Mindfulness and Restorative Justice, In Cultivating Mindfulness in Clinical Social Work, Northcut, T., (Ed.).  Springer

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Demonstrates broad versatility as a clinician, teacher, program director, mental health supervisor, mitigation specialist
• Founded and managed an innovative program focusing on mental health and human rights, partnering with legal agencies and clinics.

EXPERTISE:

• Trauma Treatment
• Couple/Individual Therapy
• Mindfulness
• Family Interventionist • High Conflict Divorce
• Human Sexuality

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:               

PSYCHOTHERAPIST & PRACTICE FOUNDER                  FL, IL, CO, NY.             2005-present

Manage a practice focusing on sexual health, high-conflict issues, trauma, and individualized interventions with clients.

UNITED STATES DoD

Washington, DC 2016-present

 MITIGATION EXPERT CONTRACTOR

Provide capital case mitigation services to the Military Commission Department of Defense legal team.

Work with high-level security legal teams and clients. Trauma and mental health specialist with conflict resolution expertise. 

DEPAUL UNIVERSITY                                                         Chicago, IL 2015- 2020

FULL-TIME CLINICAL FACULTY

Courses:

• ‘Human Behavior in the Social Environment I & II’
• ‘Advanced Forensic Field Integration’
• ‘Trauma-Informed Mindfulness’
• ‘Policy and Practice’
• Psychophysiology of Trauma

FAMILY INSTITUTE AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

THERAPIST & FACULTY

Evanston, IL 2005-2022

Courses:

• ‘Systems Theory from a Psychodynamic Perspective’
• ‘Sex Therapy and Human Sexuality’
• Supervise students in individual and group modalities.                       
• Founding Director of Mental Health Human Rights Clinic

FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

Train and supervise students to perform psychological assessments of asylum seekers and survivors of human trafficking. Promote and market the clinic’s services. Develop relationships with key organizations to extend the program’s reach. Manage the program, students, and workflow.

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR  2014-present

• Colorado Alternate Defense Counsel: Forensic Social Worker
• Federal Public Defender’s Office: Expert Services
• Cook County Public Defender: Mitigation Services
• Florida Public Defender: Trauma Expert Services                                                     

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, SSA Chicago, IL 2014-2016

LECTURER

Course: ‘Human Rights: Policy and Practice’

POST-GRADUATE TRAINING:       

California Institute of Integral Studies Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research 2023-24  

 UMASS Medical Center’s Mindful Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher training (2014-2015)

Mindsight Institute, Level 1-3 Interpersonal Neurobiology Training (2010)

Harvard Medical School of Continuing Education, 40 Hour Clinical Training in Mind/Body Medicine (2003); 40 Hour Positive Psychology Training (2009).

The Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois, Interdisciplinary Collaborative Divorce Training (2007)

The Center for Restorative Justice & Peacemaking, University of Minnesota (2006)

• Restorative Dialogue: A Multi-Method Approach Through Mediation, Conferencing, and Circles
• Restorative Justice/Forgiveness and Healing in the Law (Marquette University School of Law)
• Victim Offender Dialogue in Cases of Severe Criminal & Political Violence: A Mindfulness-based Approach to Restorative Dialogue

International Trauma Studies Program NYU (2003-2004)

Ackerman Institute for the Family, Foundations in Family Therapy (2003-2004)

Loyola Medical Center Sexual Dysfunction Clinic, Department of Psychiatry