Sex Industry Workers

People who work in the sex industry can face stigma against their occupation, which can lead to discrimination, harrasment, maltreatment, or victimization. If you work in the sex industry and are looking for counselling that is sex worker affirmative and non-judgmental, Insight offers services that can help you. 

Sex Industry Worker Issues

  • Dealing with occupational stigma
  • Minority stress
  • Compassion fatigue and burnout
  • Trauma & abuse
  • Violence in the workplace

When is it time to get help?

If you’ve experienced traumatic events while working, have prolonged periods of sadness, high levels of fears and worries, a growing inability to cope with daily problems, or having a hard time dealing with stigma & discrimination, it may be time to get help. Insight is here to help you with any issues you may be experiencing, whether it is related to your work or not. 

Treatment Methods

As for treatment methods, any type of therapeutic approach can be used, as many people come to counseling for many different reasons- sex workers are no different. Listed below are some practices that our therapists tend to place extra focus on when working with clients who work in the sex industry. 

  • Sex worker affirmative practice

Affirmative practice is an approach to therapy where therapists recognize, validate, and support the identity stated or expressed by the client. It requires the therapist to actively honor the client’s identity while simultaneously validating the oppression felt by the client. Using sex worker affirmative practices is of extreme importance for our therapists. By engaging in affirmative practices, we create a safe and supportive space for sex workers to share their experiences and access the services they need and want – ultimately improving safety, health, and wellness outcomes.

The belief in person centered therapy is that while therapists have expertise in many areas, the client is the expert on themselves and their lived experiences. This humanistic approach believes that people are trustworthy, and have a vast capability for understanding themselves and to be able to resolve their own problems when given the proper guidance. 

  • Trauma aware practices

Trauma informed practice means that therapists integrate an understanding of past and current trauma in order to avoid re-traumatizing the client. This means that our therapists understand the wide range of responses that can occur to cope with trauma. 

What will I get out of treatment with Insight Psychological?

Insight can help you overcome your mental health obstacles and help you learn how to deal with trauma, stigma, minority stress, and many other issues. 

Our therapists here at Insight strive to create a non-judgemental environment. Our goal is to support you and help you along your mental health journey, whether it is related to work or not. We don’t see sex work as the sole reason behind mental health issues, but rather as just a part of what makes you who you are. 

Confidentiality must also be maintained by our therapists, meaning that you never have to worry about sharing your experiences if you engage in sex work that is not legal. Confidentiality creates a safe environment to open up about your lived experiences without fear of judgment or legal repercussions. This confidentiality can only be broken when issues arise regarding child abuse, elder abuse, or forseeable harm to yourself or others. 

Insight offers in-person, online, or telephone counseling. Contact us to learn more or book an appointment. 

Brooke Hendricks

Edmonton South, Online

Adults, Assessments

Loriann Quinlan

Edmonton South, Edmonton West, Online

Adults, Seniors

Terri Mulveney

Edmonton South, Online

Adults, Children (3-5), Children & Youth (6-12), Adolescents (13-17), LGBTQ community

Morganne Stubbs

Online, Sherwood Park

Adults, Adolescents (13-17), Families, Couples, LGBTQ community, Assessments

Dr. Scott Anderson

Calgary, Online

Adults, Adolescents (13-17), Assessments

Brandi Enns

Edmonton South, Online

Adults, Families, Couples, LGBTQ community, Sexuality, Assessments

Sabrina Brady

Edmonton Central, Edmonton North, Online

Adults, Adolescents (13-17), Seniors, Couples, LGBTQ community, Sexuality, Assessments

Karla Buchholz

Edmonton South, Online

Adults, Adolescents (13-17), Seniors, Families, Couples, LGBTQ community, Sexuality

Nicole Donovan

Edmonton South, Online, Sherwood Park

Adults, Children & Youth (6-12), Adolescents (13-17)

Kathryn Maier

Edmonton North, Online

Adults, Children (3-5), Children & Youth (6-12), Adolescents (13-17), Families, Assessments

Cody Cobler

Edmonton North, Online, Sherwood Park

Adults, Children & Youth (6-12), Adolescents (13-17), Families, LGBTQ community

Dawn Doucet Banting

Edmonton South, Online

Adults, Children (3-5), Children & Youth (6-12), Adolescents (13-17), Seniors, Families, Couples, LGBTQ community

Meghan Odsen

Edmonton South, Online

Adults, Adolescents (13-17), Seniors, Families, Couples, LGBTQ community, Sexuality, Assessments

Bonnie Kelly

Calgary, Online

Adults, Adolescents (13-17), Families, Couples, LGBTQ community, Sexuality

Emily Couture

Edmonton South, Sherwood Park, Online

Adults, Children (3-5), Children & Youth (6-12), Adolescents (13-17), Assessments

Chantelle Owen

Edmonton Central, Online, Edmonton West

Adults, Adolescents (13-17), Families, Couples, LGBTQ community, Sexuality

Kim Phua

Edmonton North, Online, Edmonton Central

Adults, Adolescents (13-17), Seniors, Families, Couples, LGBTQ community, Sexuality, Assessments

Brilene Wohlgemuth

Edmonton South, Sherwood Park, Online

Adults, Children & Youth (6-12), Adolescents (13-17), Families, LGBTQ community, Assessments

Lauren Chow

Edmonton Central, Edmonton South, Online

Adults, Adolescents (13-17), Couples, LGBTQ community

Dr. Hendriatta Wong

Corporate Services

Shirley Leonard

Corporate Services

Tara-Lee Goerlitz

Corporate Services

Trina Wilson Orieux

Corporate Services

Adults

Leah Cadieux

Spring Perinatal Services

Adults, Families, Couples, Infants

Tracey Howell

Spring Perinatal Services

Adults, Families, Couples

Sonya Duffee

Spring Perinatal Services

Adults, Families, Couples

Julia Braga

Spring Perinatal Services

Adults, Families, Couples

Jennine Fayad

Spring Perinatal Services

Adults, Families, Couples

Jackie Pubantz

Spring Perinatal Services

Adults, Children & Youth (6-12), Adolescents (13-17), Seniors

Megan Hoffman

Spring Perinatal Services

Adults, Children (3-5), Children & Youth (6-12), Adolescents (13-17), Seniors, Families, Couples

At this time, Insight Psychological does not have therapists who specialize in this specific area, but that doesn’t mean we can’t help you! Please contact us to talk with our Intake Personnel to find a therapist that is a good fit for you and your unique circumstances.