Episode 08: On Navigating Shame & Healing Through Story with Cat Hoggard Wagley

Today I am joined by Cat Hoggard Wagley (she/her), a writer and individual and relationship therapist with an emphasis on human sexuality.We Talk About:* How the media that was available during her childhood & adolescence impacted the way she thought about sex* How she was the person to whom other teens came to talk about sex* Being naturally curious about sex from a young age & her experience healing the shame she felt about that curiosity* How a scene from Pen15 helped her heal some of that shame around masturbation* Her therapy practice & what she specializes in* Investigating her own biases & how that has improved her own ability to be a therapist* How sex negativity impacts the therapy field (spoiler: a lot of therapists aren’t trained around sexuality) & why it is important to investigate potential therapists to find one who is comfortable & knowledgeable about sexuality* How sex therapy can help folks investigate the shame and trauma that could be holding them back from being able to fully enjoy & experience pleasure in sex* The impact of shame on people’s lives & how separating our own values from the ones in which we were raised can help* Her experience with writing & how stories can help us heal* Her book that she is co-authoring with another counselor about exploring the right & wrong reasons to have kids* Where to find her social media, info about her therapy services, and links to articlesAbout Cat:Cat Hoggard Wagley (she/her) is an individual and relationship therapist with an emphasis on human sexuality. She believes therapy has a role in reducing shame, and hopes to help her clients' lives of safety and authenticity which affirm their needs and identities.She is currently writing a book with a coauthor and will be on submission to major publishers this spring. The book, THE RIGHT REASON, will help you discover whether or not you want to have children with an emphasis on affirming the child's autonomy as well as identifying your own values and reasons to have children.Find more about her & her work at: https://bio.site/saymoretherapyThank you for reading the thecuriousclit, my newsletter + podcast where I hope to spark curiosity and conversations about sex and our bodies! For more of my writing and somatic practices to support you on your journey towards more embodied safety and expansive pleasure, check out https://www.kelseybritt.com.. Get full access to Pomegranate Seeds at embodiedwithkelsey.substack.com/subscribe