RELATIONSHIP & SEX THERAPY
Affirmative Psychotherapy for Individuals, Couples, & Families
Grant Gordin, LMFT-S, NASM-CPT, MA, M.Ed | Charlotte, NC
Grant Gordin, LMFT-S, MA, M.Ed
"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." - Carl Rogers
Ultimately, I believe that all people have the right to feel comfortable within their own skin. In therapy, we so often focus on change, alone. We talk about changing our lifestyles, our families, our partners, our hobbies, our careers, our schools, and our future goals, all in an effort to fix the problems we see with how things are. And so often, we reject the notion of acceptance, entirely. Therapy certainly involves exploring and changing certain patterns of behavior and thinking, but I believe in balancing our drive for change with our intrinsic need for acceptance. We do not necessarily have the power to choose our life situations or the initial feelings we experience when they hit us. We don't come with an on/off switch, nor the power to control what happens to us. However, we do have the power to respond: to consider our values and explore our relationship with these distressing events and the feelings that follow.
When it comes to my therapeutic approach, my work is dedicated toward relationships, intimacy, sexuality, and breakups/divorce. I offer open, experienced, and affirming treatment for individuals, couples, and/or groups across all sexualities, genders, and relational styles struggling with issues that interfere with living a fulfilling intimate and relational life. This list could include struggles with sex, anxiety, worthiness, depression, self-love, shame, grief and loss, disordered eating, trauma, body image, breakups and divorce, family conflict, and interpersonal relationships--the list goes on and on. The heart of my work is to help you make sense of your challenges, clarify your values, and craft an intimate, joyful, and meaningful life aligned with them. In balancing acceptance and change, I use an eclectic approach integrating a few different therapeutic modalities: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT), Existential Psychotherapy, and Relational Life Therapy (RLT).
Finally, and most importantly, my number one job is to help you feel understood in your life and your relationships. No matter what therapist you choose, the number one most important predictor for success in therapy is the therapeutic relationship between you and the therapist. Every relationship in your life, ours included, has the power to transform you.
Below, you can find out more information about my educational background and clinical experience. Please feel free to reach out with any questions that you may have. You may also view some of my professional academic papers here.
Educational Background
Widener University | Chester, PA
M.Ed in Human Sexuality, Sex Therapy Track
Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA
MA in Clinical Psychology With an Emphasis in
Marriage and Family Therapy
Universiteit van Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands
Certificate from the Summer Institute on
Sexuality, Culture, and Society
California State University, Long Beach | Long Beach, CA
BA in Sociology, Concentration in Interaction and Group Relations
Minor in Music
Clinical Experience
Relationship & Sex Therapy | Berkeley, CA, Austin, TX, & Charlotte, NC
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Private Practice
Capital Area Counseling | Austin, TX
Clinical Supervisor & Clinical Partner, Supervision Team
San Mateo High School & Middle College High School | San Mateo, CA
Wellness Counselor, Clinical Staff
Youth Service Bureaus of the YMCA | San Mateo, CA
Mental Health Clinician, Program Facilitator, & Teacher, Clinical Staff
The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach | Long Beach, CA
Marriage and Family Therapy Trainee, Clinical Volunteer
Professional Trainings and Continuing Education
Translating the Medical Model of Sexuality In the Wake of Cancer
Presented by Jessica Leibelt, AGNP-C, AOCNP
AASECT Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2026
Aging Kinky AF: Here, Now, & Still Freaky
Presented by Jasmine Johnson, LCSW & Nicole Crawford, DrPH, LCSW
AASECT Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2026
Sex & Sensory Needs: Integrating Sensory Processing Into Sex Therapy
Presented by Cory Hrushka, Ph.D., Sabrina Brady, & Brandi Enns
AASECT Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2026
The PORN Model: A Shame-Free Approach to Understanding Porn Use
Presented by Michael Stokes, LPC, CST
AASECT Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2026
Neuroscience & Sex: The Best of Bedfellows
Presented by Christopher Belous, Ph.D. & Mialauni Griggs, Ph.D.
AASECT Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2026
ADHD & Low Desire Reframed: Executive Desire Model as Erotic Resistance
Presented by Leann Borneman, Ph.D., LCSW, CST
AASECT Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2026
AuDHD in Love: From Adversaries to Co-Imaginaries
Presented by Brandie Lourenco, LMHC, Stacey Skowronski, LCSW, & Hannah Tyler
AASECT Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2026
More About No-Sex Couples: Discrepant Desire, & Lost Sexual Attraction
Presented by Suzanne Lasenza, Ph.D.
Psychoanalytic Couple Psychotherapy Group, Online, 2026
Irvin Yalom: Foundations of My Life & Work
Presented by Irvin Yalom, MD
Psychotherapy.net, Online, 2026
Getting Off to a Powerful Start in Couples Therapy
Presented by Ellyn Bader, Ph.D.
Psychotherapy Networker Symposium, Online, 2024
Who Am I, & Why Am I So Anxious?
Presented by Sara Kuburic, Dr. Scient. Pth
Psychotherapy Networker Symposium, Online, 2024
Treating the Impact of Emotionally Immature Parents
Presented by Lindsay C. Gibson, Psy.D.
Psychotherapy Networker Symposium, Online, 2024
Family of Origin Wounds: Breaking the Patterns From Our Past
Presented by Vienna Pharaon, LMFT
Psychotherapy Networker Symposium, Online, 2024
Psychopharmacology for Therapists
Presented by Chris Aiken, MD & Kellie Newsome, PMH-NP
Psychotherapy Networker Symposium, Online, 2024
NCAA Accreditation as a Certified Personal Trainer
Presented by the National Academy of Sports Medicine
National Academy of Sports Medicine, Online, 2023
From Pleasure to Pain: Understanding Pelvic Floor Health & Vitality
Presented by Janelle Howell, DPT, WCS
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors & Therapists, Online, 2023
Five Pathways to Becoming the Best Version of Oneself
Presented by Jaime Kurtz, Ph.D.
Institute for Brain Potential, Online, 2023
Movement in ED Recovery: Leaving Toxic Fitness Culture Behind
Presented by Leslie Garcia, MBA/MPH, CEDR, CPT & Ragen Chastain, M.Ed, BCPA
Central Texas Eating Disorder Specialists, Austin, TX, 2023
Keeping the Spark Alive
Presented by the Sexual Health Alliance
Sexual Health Alliance, Online, 2022
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Made Easy
Presented by Daniel Moran, Ph.D., BCBA-D
PESI Inc., Online, 2022
Beyond Desire: Navigating Sex & Attachment in a Pandemic World
Presented by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D.
PESI Inc., Online, 2021
Pumped: Building a Better Brain Through Exercise & Movement
Presented by Angelo Pezzote, Pharm.D., MA
Institute for Brain Potential, Online, 2021
Board-Approved Supervisor Training for Marriage & Family Therapists
Presented by Pamela A. Malone, Ph.D., LCSW-S
Blue Lapis Counseling, Online, 2020
Unlearning Racism & Promoting Social Justice Among Therapists
Presented by Kevin Cokley, Ph.D. & Germine Awad, Ph.D.
Deep Eddy Psychotherapy, Online, 2020
Sex, Desire, & Attachment: New Science to Transform Couples' Sex Lives
Presented by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D.
PESI Inc., Online, 2020
Helping Clients Live Mighty Lives with Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
Presented by Jill Stoddard, Ph.D.
PESI Inc., Online, 2020
When the Body Says No: Listening to Our Stress & Reconnecting With Self
Presented by Gabor Maté, MD
PESI Inc., Online, 2020
Relational Life Therapy: Level 1 Training
Presented by Terry Real, LCSW
Relational Life Institute, Online, 2018
Conscientious Eating: Mental Health, Inflammation, & the Aging Brain
Presented by Lisa E. Goehler, Ph.D.
Institute for Brain Potential, Pleasanton, CA, 2018
Sexuality & Intimacy With Couples
Presented by Esther Perel, LMFT
The Couples Conference, Oakland, CA, 2018
Getting to the Heart of Couples Therapy
Presented by Esther Perel, LMFT & Terry Real, LCSW
The Couples Conference, Oakland, CA, 2018
The State of Affairs: A New Clinical Approach to Infidelity
Presented by Esther Perel, LMFT
The Couples Conference, Oakland, CA, 2018
Working with Difficult Men: How to Understand & Transform Male Clients
Presented by Terry Real, LCSW
The Couples Conference, Oakland, CA, 2018
Untangling Passive Aggressive Dynamics in Marriage
Presented by Peter Pearson, Ph.D.
The Couples Conference, Oakland, CA, 2018
Working with Polyamorous Clients: Clinical Challenges & Strategies
Presented by Martha Kauppi, LMFT
The Couples Conference, Oakland, CA, 2018
Embracing Vulnerability & Creating Secure Connections in EFT
Presented by San Jinich, Ph.D.
The Couples Conference, Oakland, CA, 2018
Love Addiction in Four Forms: A Workshop
Presented by Helen Fisher, Ph.D.
The Couples Conference, Oakland, CA, 2018
Men & Masculinities: Implications for Clinical Interventions
Presented by Robert Heasley, Ph.D., LMFT & Alex Bove, M.Ed
Widener University, Chester, PA, 2017
Treatment of Sexual Trauma
Presented by Michele Marsh, Ph.D., CST
Widener University, Chester, PA, 2016
Gay Affirmative Therapy: Integrative Strength Based Approach
Presented by Philip Rutter, Ph.D., CST-S
Widener University, Chester, PA, 2016
Perspective on Paraphilias
Presented by Thomas Wood, Ph.D., LCSW, CST
Widener University, Chester, PA, 2016
Not So Strange Love: How I Learned to Stop Worrying & Love the Love
Presented by Annalisa Castaldo, Ph.D. & Alex Bove, M.Ed
Widener University, Chester, PA, 2016
Sexuality & Chronic & Catastrophic Illness
Presented by Sabitha Pillai-Friedman, Ph.D., LCSW, CST-S
Widener University, Chester, PA, 2016
Introduction to Working With Dissociative Identity Disorder
Presented by Christina Mardirossian, LMFT
Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, CA, 2015
Sadomasochistic Behaviors in Sexual Addiction
Presented by Monica Meyer, Ph.D., CSAT-S
Gentle Path at The Meadows, Los Angeles, CA, 2015
Human Sexuality & Sex Therapy
Presented by Mari Marks, Ph.D.
University of Phoenix, Pasadena, CA, 2015
Sex Addiction 101
Presented by Monica Blauner, LCSW, CSAT
Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, 2015
Surrogate Partner Therapy
Presented by Shai Rotem, CEH, CSP
Center for Healthy Sex, Los Angeles, CA, 2015
Rethinking Couples Therapy: Joining Through the Truth
Presented by Terry Real, LCSW
University of California, Irvine, CA, 2015
Sex, Lies, & Survival: Repairing Primary Attachment Trauma
Presented by Jessica Levith, LMFT
Center for Healthy Sex, Los Angeles, CA, 2015
Helping Couples Heal: Relational Triage for Betrayal Trauma
Presented by Marnie Breecker, LMFT, CSAT, CCPS
Center for Healthy Sex, Los Angeles, CA, 2014
Current Eating Disorder Technological Research & Treatment Implications
Presented by Rebecca Cooper, LMFT, LPCC, CEDS
Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, CA, 2014
Illustrating Trauma: Using the Trauma Egg to Reveal & Heal Your Past
Presented by Shereen Hariri, LMFT
Center for Healthy Sex, Los Angeles, CA, 2014
How to Treat Pornography Addiction: Gay & Straight Perspectives
Presented by Greg Woodhill, LMFT, CSAT
Center for Healthy Sex, Los Angeles, CA, 2014
Assessment, Diagnosis, & Treatment of Sex Addiction
Presented by Aaron Alan, LMFT, CSAT
Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, 2014
Gay Men & Sex Addiction: A Different Treatment Approach
Presented by Dan Lacovara, MA
Center for Healthy Sex, Los Angeles, CA, 2014
Doing Relationships Right: Balancing the Masculine & Feminine Energies
Presented by Sharon Cohen, Ph.D.
Center for Healthy Sex, Los Angeles, CA, 2013
Attachment, Sexuality, & the Body: Comprehensive Couples & Sex Therapy
Presented by Stella Resnick, Ph.D., CST
UCLA Extension, Los Angeles, CA, 2013