Sex Therapy, Training

& Education.

Why I’m here

I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Human Development at Arizona State University and then went on to receive my Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Massachusetts, at Boston. Post family therapy licensure, I became AASECT (American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists) certified as a Sex Therapist and worked with individuals, relationships, and families in private practice in Quincy, Massachusetts for over ten years. In that time, I received AASECT certification as a Supervisor of Sex Therapy, and co-founded a sex therapy agency and training institute where we saw clients in addition to training therapists to become competent, confident sex therapists themselves. I continue to regularly present at various training institutes as well as Universities and therapy agencies across the US.

I truly love this work. I enjoy the challenging adventure of bringing relationships and individuals toward a greater sense of intimacy and a thriving, evolving connection (to self and other(s)) that can grow alongside them. I am inspired by the inevitable transformation of the therapists themselves as they witness and become part of fantastic growth and change in their clients. I believe there is no limit to the knowledge we can gain from looking at the universe of people's lives and relationships; no end point to our curiosity if we let it lead. Consequently, I never tire of learning alongside and training both professionals and fellow sexuality enthusiasts about this incredible area of human life.

Mentioned in

〰️

Mentioned in 〰️

Teaching Experience

  • Sex Therapy: Moving Toward Certification: Boston University, 10/2012

  • Sexual Trauma: Healing the Body and Mind: University of Massachusetts at Boston, 6/2018

  • Sexuality and Couples Therapy: South Shore Sexual Health Center (SSSHC), April '15-'18

  • Pregnancy and Sex: SSSHC, June '15-present

  • Sexual Trauma: SSSHC, September '15-present

  • Learning Theory and Applications to the Practice of Sex Therapy: SSSHC, October '15-present

  • Intimacy: SSSHC, October '15-'18

  • Professional Communication: SSSHC, December '15-present

  • Pedophilia: SSSHC, February '15-'18

  • Becoming a Sex Therapist: SSSHC, March '15-'18

  • Advanced Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR): Institute for Sexuality Enlightenment and Education, 6/2016

  • Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR): SSSHC, August '17-present

  • Sex Therapy Skills Training Intensives: SSSHC, July & January '15-present

  • Sensate Focus Fundamentals: SSSHC, June '20-present

  • The Exceptional Therapist: Institute for Sexuality Enlightenment and Education (ISEE), September '20-present

  • The Body's Wisdom: Sensate Focus for Sex Therapists: ISEE, October '20-present

  • Fantasy, Porn, and "Sex Addiction" in Relationships: Private Practice Colloquium, 3/2022

  • Sensate Focus Certification Program Levels 1 & 2: The Power of Touch: Understanding the Utility and Beauty of the Sensate Focus Model in the Practice of Psychotherapy. ISEE, June '22 - present.

  • The Joy of Intimacy. ISEE August ‘23 - present.

Publications

  • Leech, P. (2019). Tender is the Heart: Supervising High Impact Emotions During Sex Therapy. In L. L. Charlés & T. S. Nelson (Authors), Family therapy supervision in extraordinary settings: Illustrations of systemic approaches in everyday clinical work. New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

Podcasts & Media

  • What is Sex Therapy Like? (Sept 2020) Better Sex Podcast. Listen here

  • Sex and the Survivor (Dec 29, 2020) Beautiful Self Org. Watch here

  • Demystifying Desire (Feb 9, 2021) Beautiful Self Org. Watch here

  • A Conversation with Sex Therapist, Paula Leech (April 10, 2021) Love and Healing Podcast. Listen here

  • Intimacy, Performance, and Desire (April 19, 2021) Love and Healing Podcast. Listen here

  • Sex, Sexuality, and Mental Health (May 18, 2021) Beautiful Self Org. Watch here

  • Redefining Sexy: A conversation about sexuality postpartum (Sept 22, 2021) Peanut App Pods.

  • Communicating Your Sexual Needs to Your Partner (Nov 29, 2021) Peanut App Pods.

  • Postpartum Sexuality (May 2022) Sex Therapy Podcast. Listen here

  • Pregnancy and Postpartum Challenges for Sex (Feb 2022) Better Sex Podcast. Listen here

  • The Danger of “Premature Diagnosis” (April 2022) Our Two Cents Podcast. Listen here

  • Paula’s Story: Infertility, Grief, and Finding Spirituality (May 2022) Sexvangelicals Podcast. Listen here

  • Female Pleasure Society Twitter Space:

  • Sex and Anxiety (August 25, 2022) Peanut App Pods.