Meet Your Therapist
Gayle Shotkin, LMSW, CST
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
It used to take just one word—“sex,” “penis,” “vagina”—and my face would turn bright red. I’d freeze. Awkward. Embarrassed.
Growing up, my family (lovingly) called me a “prude.” I wore that label quietly, not realizing how much it shaped how I saw myself and my body.
Now? I talk about sex every day—with confidence, compassion, and ease.
Those same family members now come to me (privately, of course) with their most uncomfortable questions. They also love to say, “You are such a therapist, Gayle.” (And yes… sometimes I do have to take the therapy hat off at home.)
That shift didn’t happen overnight. It came from years of unlearning, deep training, and doing my own inner work.
Accreditations & Profiles
Academics
University of Michigan, 2011
Masters in Social Work - Aging in families and Society
Who I Work With
I work with individuals who value a genuine, collaborative approach to therapy and are ready to bring their authentic selves to our sessions. Here's what you can expect in our work together:
- A space to be real: You can feel safe to be honest and open, sharing your true thoughts and feelings.
- A collaborative relationship: We’ll openly discuss your needs, including your sexual health, and work together to ensure our sessions meet your goals.
- Ongoing communication: I encourage feedback about what’s working and what’s not, so we can tailor the process to fit you.
- Commitment to growth: Consistency is key, so I ask for regular attendance and a willingness to engage with the work between sessions.
- Trust in your intuition: I help you prioritize your inner voice while fostering emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.
- Support through challenges: Together, we’ll explore ways to navigate discomfort and grow through it.
You are the expert in your own life, and I’m here to support and guide you on your journey. Let’s determine if this partnership feels like the right fit for you!
The Work We Do Matters
I still remember the first day of my sex therapy training at the University of Michigan. The director opened with a statement I’ll never forget:
“Talking about sex will change the world.”
And it does. Because when we start talking about the things we were taught to hide—our desires, our disconnection, our shame, our grief—everything starts to shift.
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- We repair relationships.
- We deepen love and create healthier patterns.
- We end relationships that no longer serve us—sometimes mutually, sometimes not.
- We begin new ones—with others, and with ourselves.
- We remember how powerful relationships can be—and how powerful it is to stand on our own two feet, learning to love and trust ourselves along the way.
- We start to feel alive again—in our bodies, in our truth, and in our capacity to connect.
- We heal.
- And when we need to, we heal again. Over and over.
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That’s why I do this work.
That’s why I love this work.
Why I Do This Work
With over 15 years of experience supporting people through anxiety, trauma, disconnection, identity exploration, and relationship challenges, I’ve seen how often the most human parts of our lives go untouched—even in therapy.
Sex. Intimacy. Emotional safety. Communication.
These aren’t side conversations. They’re central. And they deserve space.
Many of my clients arrive feeling unsure of what they’re allowed to say. They’ve spent years feeling misunderstood, ashamed, or disconnected. Some have never had the language to describe what’s happening inside them. Others have never felt safe enough to try.
I offer a space where you don’t have to perform.
Where there are no “right” words.
Where your story, your body, your silence, and your voice are all welcome.
Why I Do This Work
With over 15 years of experience supporting people through anxiety, trauma, disconnection, identity exploration, and relationship challenges, I’ve seen how often the most human parts of our lives go untouched—even in therapy.
Sex. Intimacy. Emotional safety. Communication.
These aren’t side conversations. They’re central. And they deserve space.
Many of my clients arrive feeling unsure of what they’re allowed to say. They’ve spent years feeling misunderstood, ashamed, or disconnected. Some have never had the language to describe what’s happening inside them. Others have never felt safe enough to try.
I offer a space where you don’t have to perform.
Where there are no “right” words.
Where your story, your body, your silence, and your voice are all welcome.
What You Can Expect
Therapy with me is real, relational, and deeply human.
You won’t be met with blank stares or quick fixes. You’ll be met with presence, compassion, and honest care.
This is a space where:
You don’t have to prove or explain yourself
You can show up messy, uncertain, or overwhelmed
You can say the hard things out loud— maybe for the first time
You’ll be supported not just in your pain, but in your growth
You’ll be reminded that you're not alone in any of it
Together, we can learn to say the very things that once felt impossible to speak aloud.
And with every word, every truth told, shame starts to loosen its grip.
Many people walk through the door feeling disgusted, ashamed, or wounded.
That does not have to be the way it stays.
Some days will feel deep. Some will be quiet. Some might even be unexpectedly light.
But every session is a step toward understanding yourself more fully—and feeling more alive, connected, and whole.
Clients often tell me they feel relief—like something they’ve carried for too long is finally allowed to breathe.
You don’t have to know where this is going. You don’t have to come in with a plan.
You just need a space that feels safe enough to begin.
That’s what I offer:
A grounded place to land.
A relationship rooted in respect.
And support as you move—gently, layer by layer—toward the life, connection, and sense of self that already lives within you.
Healing is beautiful and profound. And it’s within all of us.
If you’ve made it this far, you’re already doing something brave.
When you’re ready, I’ll be here to meet you.
Healing is beautiful and profound. And it’s within all of us.
If you’ve made it this far, you’re already doing something brave.
When you’re ready, I’ll be here to meet you.
Meet the Team
Our team is made up of passionate professionals dedicated to creating a welcoming, inclusive space for every client. From licensed therapists to supportive administrative staff, each person plays a vital role in making your experience thoughtful, respectful, and empowering. Meet the people who bring heart and purpose to everything we do.