Hi, I’m Sally Fries.
I am a mental health counselor with a provisional license in New York State. I have a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from The University at Buffalo. I am currently pursuing professional certification in Sex Therapy through the Sexual Health Alliance. My supervisor is Maria Ng, LMHC of Blue Alcove Counseling.
My Approach to Therapy
Training and practicing Dialectical Behavior Therapy, I have learned the importance of balance between understanding and action in therapy. Both are equally vital to the processes of healing and growing.
Understanding includes:
Learning to recognize emotions
Unpacking the the chain of events that have led to the present moment
Exploring the mind-body connection
Learning to be curious and open-minded
Finding the source of pain or distress
Action in therapy includes:
Learning different ways to respond to emotions
Re-telling stories with less judgment and more compassion
Responding to the body’s signs and signals
Changing or leaving behind unhelpful patterns
Accepting or tolerating pain as an inevitable part of life
My Sex positive approach
Sex positivity is a growing perspective in health care fields and aligns with the World Health Organization's definition of sexual health. In a nutshell, to be sex positive is to acknowledge the tremendously positive and healthy aspects of engaging in sexual expression. Below are some additional sex positive perspectives:
Sex is natural, but there is no “normal”. Sexuality is incredibly diverse, and each person experiences sex and eroticism in a unique way.
Sex enhances our lives. Through sexual exploration, expression and eroticism, we can learn, grow and create a more meaningful life.
It is unethical and harmful to attempt to influence others to change or suppress their sexuality, sexual practices, desires, or identities to fit another’s values and perspectives on sex.