Self-Acceptance And Self-Love – Exclusive Interview With Dennaé Dumas

Dennaé has a background as a performing artist and a trained ballet dancer. She understands the necessity of the mind-body connection for a thriving sex life. Dennaé’s practice has an emphasis on compassionate care, developing rapport that aligns with client needs and promoting cultural competency, inclusivity, and sex positivity. Dennaé is a licensed psychotherapist who specializes in sex therapy, with degrees from UNC, Université de Lyon 3, and Columbia University, where she received her MBA & MSW.

Dennaé Dumas, Sex and Couples Coach

What is your business name and how do you help your clients?

I am Dennaé Dumas, a psychotherapist & coach who works with people around intimacy, sex, partnership, and communication. I see myself as a sex therapist as well as an intimacy and relationship coach. Although my work focuses on sex as a pivotal piece in holistic health, my sessions can include anything that is affecting the life of the client. During my study program I noticed the positive influence that sex positivity had on someone’s mental health. I am passionate about supporting the intersection of sex positivity, identity, and social justice. My goal is that by understanding oneself harmful narratives can be replaced to stop what is holding one back. What kind of audience do you target your business towards?

My business is for anyone who wants to improve their relationship to self and others by discovering their true essence. Showing up authentically not only improves someone’s life on the micro level but it also affects their community, and the greater world. Macro change can hopefully lead to much-needed wider cultural systematic change regarding sex. Having better sex, enhanced intimacy, and heightened pleasure is just an added benefit of this process. What are your current goals for your business?

I would like to grow my business so that I can help people become their authentic self, as well as, expanding my reach to the global community. What would you like to achieve for yourself and your business in the future?

I would like to create a business that challenges our current cultural narratives around sex, pleasure, relationships, and communication. Perhaps, cultivating tools and a space which helps people to show up unapologetically as themselves. Because of this, people would be better equipped to know and state their boundaries while respecting the boundaries of others. Who inspires you to be the best that you can be?

I have been inspired by my father and mother who both in their own ways have dedicated their life to helping others. Every day I aspire to be like them and have a similar impact on my community. If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why?

I wish more therapists were able and felt comfortable to hold space for sex, intimacy, and diverse partnerships. So many clients come to me because their traditional therapist is unable to have conversations around topics dealing with sex. While a therapist does not have to be an expert on the subject, they should be able to acknowledge it in a way that the clients feel seen and heard. Hopefully, one day sex in and of itself will not be considered a niche topic. Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.

I never thought I would be a sex therapist and intimacy & relationship coach. I took a course in my MSW program at Columbia University done by an incredible sex educator who taught sex and sexuality from a racially informed lens. It changed my life. It helped me to realize the deeply embedded messages I had received that were creating barriers for me when connecting in my own intimate relationships. This realization led to deeper internal work which catapulted self-acceptance and self-love. I knew I wanted to be a part of that experience for others.

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