.svg)
Groups
Individual therapy
In individual therapy, you will work one-on-one with a non-judgmental, intersectional, and trained mental health professional. Our therapists use a variety of evidence-based frameworks to meet your unique needs, and will collaborate with you to gain insight and expand self-awareness, heal from past traumas, diagnose, and treat underlying mental health conditions, and explore your identity, including sexuality and gender. We offer therapy in person and virtually—please see our FAQs for more information about locations below.
Relationship therapy
In relationship therapy, a therapist will support you and your partner/s in moving through relationship crises, strengthening your connection, building tools to navigate conflict, and addressing sex and intimacy. You may come to relationship therapy to explore non-monogamy, infidelity, new identities, loss or transition, family-planning, and/or expanding your sex life. We approach relationship therapy through a kink, BDSM, non-monogamy, and queer-affirming lens. We offer relationship therapy in person and virtually—please see our FAQs for more information about locations below.
Group therapy
Group therapy is psychotherapy offered to a small group of people over the course of an established number of sessions. Our group therapy is facilitated by a trained therapist and, depending on its format, may prioritize processing, skill-building, and/or support. We offer groups in person and virtually—please see our FAQs for more information about locations below.
Individual coaching
In individual coaching, you will focus on expanding self-awareness and developing strategies for thriving. Our coaches work with you on concerns and resiliencies related to identity, relationships, and career and life transitions, but do not treat mental health conditions. For more information about the difference between therapy and coaching, please see our FAQs below.
Relationship coaching
In relationship coaching, you and your partner/s will gain support and tools to strengthen your relationship. You may address concerns such as managing conflict, life transitions, exploring new identities, and expanding intimacy. For more information about the difference between therapy and coaching, please see our FAQs below.
Support groups
Support groups are an opportunity to be in community with other people who may be navigating similar experiences and/or identities as you. We offer support groups in person and virtually, facilitated by therapists and coaches. Learn about the latest support groups by subscribing to our newsletter The Feels, or by emailing hello@theexpansivegroup.com.
Pleasure mentoring
Offered by the one and only Kiana Lewis (she/they), Pleasure Mentoring focuses on developing your understanding of sensuality and cultivating a practice with your erotic self. Different from therapy, Pleasure Mentoring offers more short-term, hands-on guidance. Kiana uses modalities including movement, visualization, writing, and vocalization to help you unearth your most pleasure-filled life. For Pleasure Mentoring, email kiana@theexpansivegroup.com or request through our intake form below.
Education & training
We provide education and training for organizations, companies, universities, and clinicians to expand understanding around gender, sexuality, identity, and more. Topics can be custom-tailored to your audience size and goals. We are official CE providers through AASECT. Complete this form to get connected.
In-Person Sessions
New York & Chicago
While we virtually support clients all over the world, you're welcome at our locations in New York and Chicago. Meet with your therapist or coach in the privacy and comfort of our offices. Please indicate on your form if you'd like to meet with your provider in person.
The Expansive Group, New York
7a Halsey St Ste 206, Brooklyn, NY 11216
The Expansive Group, Chicago
FAQs
Do you only offer sex therapy? What if I’m looking to address anxiety, depression, or other concerns?
We offer more than sex therapy! Sex therapists are licensed therapists who have pursued additional training in sex therapy. While many of our therapists have a particular specialty in sex therapy, they are also experienced in working with a myriad of concerns. Whether you’re looking to work on anxiety or depression, trauma, or body image, or anything else that impacts your mental well-being, our therapists are equipped and excited to support you. Our coaches also have experience working with clients on needs beyond sex and intimacy.
What is sex therapy? What is queer sex therapy?
Sex therapy is a therapeutic intervention primarily focused on intimacy, identity, and a client’s relationship to sex and their body, and “queer sex therapy” refers to our LGBTQIA+ affirming lens. Our team advocates for expansive views of gender, relationship and sexual exploration, and does not gate-keep identity, language, or behavior. You do not need to be in a relationship (or even sexually active) to seek sex therapy. Common reasons people seek sex therapy include:
- Desire discrepancy (struggles with sexual compatibility)
- Sexual trauma
- Relationship conflict & communication
- Gender identity exploration and/or transition
- Gender dysphoria
- Exploration of sexual orientation including gay, lesbian, asexual, pansexual, queer, and more
- BDSM and Kink
- Struggles with orgasm or inorgasmia
- Overcoming sexual shame and/or religious trauma
- Non-monogamy
- Chronic pain and/or sexual pain
- Body Image
- General couples or relationship therapy
What is the difference between therapy and coaching?
Therapy is a regulated mental health service provided by mental health professionals who have completed graduate training programs in counseling psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, and/or clinical psychology. Our therapists work to help clients gain insight, heal past traumas, address self-destructive habits, repair and improve relationships, and develop skills to navigate challenging and painful experiences. Therapy may also include diagnosis and treatment of a mental health condition. Due to professional licensing requirements, our therapists can only provide individual, relationship and group therapy services to clients located in the state/s in which they are licensed. Currently, The Expansive Group has licensed providers in Colorado, Illinois, New York, California, Hawaii, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Missouri, and can provide therapy services to clients located in these states.
At TEG, we define coaching as a service that works to help you identify and clarify your goals, recognize obstacles and problematic behaviors that stand in the way of achieving those goals, and create action plans to build the life you want. Coaching services are provided by coaches. At TEG, all of our coaches are also trained therapists. Coaching services can be provided to clients regardless of location, and clients can join support groups from any location, as well. Coaching is not a substitute for therapy. If you are seeking treatment for a mental health condition, you should seek services from a therapist who is licensed in your state. To the extent that we have no therapists licensed in your location, we can support you in finding resources for local therapists in your area.
Can I seek services if I am not part of the LGBTQIA+ community?
Absolutely. While we center the queer community in our work, we believe that everyone can benefit from an expansive take on sexuality, gender and relationships. Many of our therapists and coaches work with cisgender, straight clients across a wide range of topics.
Can I seek therapy services from any location?
Due to professional licensing requirements, our therapists can only provide therapy services to clients located in the state/s in which they are licensed. Currently, the Expansive Group has licensed providers in Colorado, Illinois, New York, California, Hawaii, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Missouri, and can provide therapy services to clients located in these states.
Can I seek coaching services from any location?
Yes, our coaches are able to provide coaching services to clients from all states and countries across the world. If our coaches assess that your needs are better suited for therapy, they can support you in getting connected to therapy services in your area.
Do you accept my insurance?
We only accept insurance from Illinois residents who have Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO or Blue Choice PPO. To ensure that we are in-network with your insurance, call the number on the back of your insurance card prior to your first session. If insurance does not cover the cost of your sessions, you will be responsible for the full charge.
Please note, we are not in-network with some independent licensees of BCBS. We're also not able to work with out-of-network providers for temporary coverage. Therapy clients are welcome to submit a bill to their insurance companies to seek out-of-network coverage.
Do you offer sliding scale?
Yes, we offer sliding scale services depending on provider availability. Please indicate your financial needs on the intake form and our team will assist you further.
What is Pleasure Mentoring?
Offered by the one and only Kiana Lewis, Pleasure Mentoring focuses on developing your understanding of sensuality and cultivating a practice with your erotic self. Different from therapy, Pleasure Mentoring offers more short-term, hands-on guidance. Kiana uses modalities including movement, visualization, writing, and vocalization to help you unearth your most pleasure-filled life. For Pleasure Mentoring, email Kiana@theexpansivegroup.com.
How is @queersextherapy related to The Expansive Group?
The Instagram page @queersextherapy was created by our founder and CEO, Casey Tanner, and is run by Casey and other TEG educators. Because we recognize not everyone has the time, energy or finances for sex therapy or coaching, we provide free sex, gender, and relationship education through this platform in an effort to make this unique work more accessible. While @queersextherapy offers brief tips and resources on these topics, many choose to work with a provider at TEG to explore what these topics mean in their lives.