Stacey Skowronski, PhD, LCSW, CST (she/her/hers)

 

About Me

I am a Doctor of Philosophy in Human Sexuality Studies (PhD), a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and a certified sex therapist (CST) in Chicago, IL specializing in anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress, depression, sexual difficulties, and relationship dissatisfaction. I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lake Forest College, my master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of Chicago, and my doctorate degree in clinical sexology form Widener University located in Chester, PA.  My doctoral dissertation focuses on how post-traumatic stress disorder affects the sexual functioning, emotional intimacy, and relational satisfaction of veteran men and civilian women, post deployment. 

I have worked in private practice for over 15 years, providing general psychotherapy and sex therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

Therapeutic Approach

I am a strong believer in the therapeutic process because I feel that it can empower you to improve the quality of your life. For many people, the decision to begin therapy is scary. It takes courage to confront your pain. But by committing to and trusting the process, you can absolutely make progress. The benefits will provide you with not only a new perspective, but also the opportunity to develop a more positive and genuine sense of self. Living life as your best, most confident, and liberated self is extremely rewarding!

My ultimate goal is to provide a nonjudgmental space and relationship that will allow you to explore your concerns. Sex therapy is not just behavior-based; rather, is encompasses our satisfaction with our relationships, our choice of partners and interactions with them, our ability to connect with others and ourselves, as well as the ability to access pleasure, self-esteem, a positive self-image, and emotional-well being. Sex therapy is an opportunity to fully embrace yourself as a sexual being. Sexuality exists on a spectrum of varying feelings and experiences, so my approach is individualized, exploring what sexuality means to you in order to address your goals. I am knowledgeable and experienced in the following therapies: CBT, I-CBT, DBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness, self compassion, Gottman couple’s therapy, family systems, trauma informed frameworks, EMDR, and the Liberation Focused Healing Framework.

I use a sex-positive approach, and am LGBTQ+ and kink-friendly. I am a member of the American Association of Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). I have completed the basic education training program for Eye-Movement Desensitization Retraining (EMDR), and am working towards my certification as an EMDR trained therapist. I have also completed the sixty-hour sexual assault training through Rape Victims Advocates located in Chicago, as well as the Decolonizing Therapy for Black Folks training. I am a neurodivergent affirming clinician. All treatment is confidential and follows ethical guidelines defined by AASECT and NASW.

Experience:

    • Performance anxiety and perfectionism

    • Shame and vulnerability fears

    • Regulation difficulties (emotional inhibition and/or reactivity)

    • Stress response and stress management

    • Intergenerational trauma and resiliency

    • Ambiguous loss and complicated grief

    • Moving from codependency to interdependence

    • Modifying ineffective interpersonal roles

    • Insufficient self care

    • Moving from self criticism to self compassion

    • High conflict

    • Conflict avoidant

    • Ineffective communication

    • Relational power struggles

    • Codependency

    • Maintaining versus nurturing the relationship

    • Sexual pain

    • Desire discrepancies

    • Orgasm difficulties

    • Erectile dysfunction

    • Premature ejaculation

    • Sexual impulsive/compulsive behavior

    • Sexual shame

    • Sexual trauma

    • Interoception difficulties