Question 1

Are you a sex-positive therapist offering telehealth in California?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Kelly Howard is a sex-positive, trauma-informed psychotherapist offering telehealth sex and relationship therapy to clients throughout California via secure video. Based in the East Bay, Kelly is licensed to practice across the entire state of California.

Question 2

Are you an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Riverstone Sex and Relationship Therapy is a GSRD-affirming practice — affirming across Gender, Sexuality, and Relationship Diversity. Kelly Howard identifies as pansexual and gender non-binary and brings both lived experience and clinical training to this work.

Question 3

Do you work with non-monogamous and polyamorous clients?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Riverstone Sex and Relationship Therapy specializes in non-monogamy, polyamory, and relationship structure exploration. Clients at every stage are welcome — newly curious, actively practicing, navigating polycule dynamics, or restructuring.

Question 4

Are you a kink-aware and BDSM-affirming therapist?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Riverstone is a kink-aware, BDSM-affirming therapy practice. Kink interests are not pathologized or treated as symptoms. Individuals and couples navigating kink dynamics, power exchange relationships, and BDSM concerns are welcome.

Question 5

Do you offer a free initial consultation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A free 20-minute video consultation is available for all prospective clients. There is no obligation to continue and no fee is charged.

Question 6

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

No, insurance is not accepted directly. This is a private-pay practice. A Superbill can be provided for out-of-network insurance reimbursement. Sliding scale fees are available for clients who need financial accommodation.

Question 7

What are your session fees?

Accepted Answer

Individual sessions are $190 for 50 minutes. Relationship sessions are $220 for 50 minutes. Sliding scale spots are available from $130 to $190 for individuals and $160 to $220 for relationships, with a commitment to weekly sessions.

Question 8

Do you offer discernment counseling?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Discernment counseling is offered for couples and multi-partner relationships uncertain whether to continue their relationship. It is a short-term structured process of three to five sessions focused on gaining clarity rather than working on the relationship itself.

Question 9

Do you offer conscious uncoupling?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Facilitated conscious uncoupling is offered using Katherine Woodward Thomas's framework, particularly for non-traditional relationships, polyamorous partnerships, chosen family, and non-nuclear co-parenting arrangements.

Question 10

What areas of California do you serve?

Accepted Answer

Telehealth therapy is available to clients throughout the entire state of California including the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, and all other California communities.

Question 11

Is sex therapy talk therapy or does it involve physical contact?

Accepted Answer

Sex therapy as practiced by licensed mental health professionals is entirely talk-based. There is no physical contact, no demonstrations, and no observation of sexual activity. All sessions at Riverstone are conducted via secure telehealth video.

Question 12

What therapeutic approaches do you use?

Accepted Answer

An integrative approach is used including the Gottman Method, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Gestalt therapy, CBT, DBT, and Harm Reduction Integrative Therapy (HRIT) for clients incorporating psychedelics into their healing.

Does kink come from trauma?

What is responsive desire?