#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 Warning 01:44 Meet Holly Richmond 03:58 Couples After Trauma 04:33 Awareness to Change 07:11 Power of Naming 09:19 Defining Abuse Assault Rape 12:19 Thoughts Feelings Sensations 15:27 Sex Positivity Framework 18:29 Pleasure Beyond Sex 20:00 Control and Nervous System Scale 22:06 That Was Then This Is Now 24:03 Grounding With Mantras 24:56 Visual Tethers And Boundaries 26:56 Real Versus True Pain 28:57 Sex And A Better World 32:01 Why Fantasy Matters 35:19 Consensual Non Consent 37:06 Fantasy Versus Reality 40:45 Porn Jealousy And Honesty 41:46 Sex After Kids Book 43:22 Attunement And Benefit Of Doubt 46:04 Closing Thanks And Subscribe Helpful Links: Dr. Holly Richmond Reclaiming Sexual Pleasure Book Dr. Holly Richmond Instagram Dr. Holly Richmond Facebook Dr. Holly Richmond LinkedIn