Aydrelle Collins, MS.
1. What's your practice focus and what kind of clients knock on your door ?
My practice is focus is Sex Therapy and melaninated mental health. The kind of clients that knock on my door are clients that have been struggling with some kind of sexual dysfunction or have difficulty talking about sex with their partner and need solutions on how to have effective conversations about sex. My clients are Black people and Black queer and trans people who need an affirming space to discuss everything from sex to liberation.
2. Tell us about yourself.
I worked at an abortion clinic and taught sex education while getting my Masters. i would say that those are the two biggest things that influenced my niche. Sex and mental health are tied very closely together, and I think that people tend to overlook that. My culture and being a Black woman got me started on working on my practice. I wanted to create a space that was unapologetically Black and queer affirming.
3. Tell us the story of a patient who you are most proud of helping.
I like to think my biggest flex as a sex therapist was helping a couple who was in a sexless marriage for 27 years achieve an active sex life. I am proud of all of my clients who come through my door and who do the work to get themselves where they want to be. My work is with Black women and Black queer individuals and couples. Seeing them challenge generational narratives around their bodies and their sexuality. When my clients discover what their brand of sexual empowerment is I am proud.
4. What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice?
I would say the hardest thing for me to get used to was the isolation that can be private practice. I came from an amazing group practice where I became very close with the people I was working alongside. To go from that to not having that has taken me a while to get used to. Being a sex therapist in Texas, I know I am needed but, the climate here can make my work impossible to do. It is frustrating but it makes me more determined to be more loud and vocal about what it is that I do.
5. What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today?\
The top 3 tips I'd give to anyone looking to learn more about private practice is to
- I am still trying to give myself tips on how to start, grow and run a private practice LOL.
- Get a mentor, someone who is doing what you want to do and spend some time with them learning from them and their mistakes.
- Be intentional about the work you do and who you want to work with. I feel that this goes a long way and you attract the right people for your practice. It also helps with marketing.
Never compromise your values. Your practice is a reflection of you what do you want it to say?