#330 Reclaiming Sexual Pleasure | Holly Richmond, PhD

Dr. Adam Dorsay introduces SuperPsyched and interviews Dr. Holly Richmond about healing sexual trauma and her book Reclaiming Pleasure. They note prevalence statistics and emphasize that sexual trauma is violating even when not violent, making accurate naming (e.g., sexual abuse vs assault vs rape) central to healing because “words inform our experience.” Richmond outlines a sequence of awareness, understanding, and behavior change, integrating somatic, trauma, and sex-therapy interventions, and uses grounding practices such as “that was then, this is now” and present-moment sensory orientation. She defines sex positivity as sex that is consensual and pleasurable, discusses eros as life force linking sexuality and overall wellbeing, and explains fantasy as a safe bridge to desire, including consensual non-consent themes distinct from real-life consent. Richmond previews a forthcoming book on sex after kids and names attunement and giving the benefit of the doubt as key skills for relationships.00:00 Welcome and Content Warning01:44 Meet Holly Richmond03:58 Couples After Trauma04:33 Awareness to Change07:11 Power of Naming09:19 Defining Abuse Assault Rape12:19 Thoughts Feelings Sensations15:27 Sex Positivity Framework18:29 Pleasure Beyond Sex20:00 Control and Nervous System Scale22:06 That Was Then This Is Now24:03 Grounding With Mantras24:56 Visual Tethers And Boundaries26:56 Real Versus True Pain28:57 Sex And A Better World32:01 Why Fantasy Matters35:19 Consensual Non Consent37:06 Fantasy Versus Reality40:45 Porn Jealousy And Honesty41:46 Sex After Kids Book43:22 Attunement And Benefit Of Doubt46:04 Closing Thanks And SubscribeHelpful Links:Dr. Holly RichmondReclaiming Sexual Pleasure BookDr. Holly Richmond InstagramDr. Holly Richmond FacebookDr. Holly Richmond LinkedIn