Rising Stars: Meet Jessie Briegel of Denver

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessie Briegel

Hi Jessie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey to become a sex therapist goes back many years. I grew up in a very small conservative town on the Eastern Plains of Colorado. Once I moved to Denver for College I became aware of how the small town sheltered me and the impact of that. I thought I would become a journalist and was on track for that to be the case but was also very interested in psychology. Because I thought it would be funny I ended up taking a Psychology of Sexuality class. That class changed everything for me. I became aware of how much information I did not receive growing up about sex and was angry and sad about that. I decided then to make it my mission for people to have access to medically accurate sexual health information. I started researching organizations that aligned with this mission and that lead me to Planned Parenthood. I worked in a few different positions but ended up at the education department and was there for about 5 years. It was a wonderful experience where I got to be hands on in the disimmentation of sexual health. It also allowed me to be immersed in a culture of people who had the same values regarding reproductive and sexual health. Eventually the time came for a change and a new sexual health program was being started at Denver Health in their School-Based Health Centers. I thought this would be interesting since instead of a classroom I’d be doing more one on one with students. This was also a big moment in my story because it helped me understand how much I loved being one on one with people. Allowing for a more intimate setting where individuals could really be honest about their needs. It also helped me understand how much I loved talking about relationships. I realized I never had any great examples of healthy relationships in my life and neither do a lot of people. So we do the best we can with what little information we have, which can end up in conflict and disconnection. I decided, in my late thirties, to go back to school for marriage and family therapy in order to focus on couples and relationships. I also decided to put being a sex therapist on the back burner while I got settled into a new career after almost 18 years as a sexual health educator.
When I got out of school I found myself in a wonderful group practice, Individual and Relationship Therapy Center, that also helped me identify the kind of therapist I wanted to be. The owner of the practice, Laura Cross, is a skilled supervisor of Emotionally Focused Therapy and allowed me to grow as an attachment based therapist. I realized that helping clients be more vulnerable and share their needs with each other is an instrumental part of relational satisfaction. It’s also the things we as humans tend to hide from because it can be difficult. After a few years of practicing as relationship therapist Laura and I were checking in and she asked where I was in my sex therapy journey. I finally felt like I had my therapeutic relational skills sharpened enough to finally pick back up my first passion . It took me a few years of more school work and supervision to finally blend my two loves of sexual health and relationship therapy. Today I feel so honored to help clients work through their emotional connection to strengthen their sexual one as well.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I went through many ups and downs to get here. When I graduated with my bachelors degree in my early 20’s I don’t think I saw this for my future. Going back to graduate school in my late 30’s and starting a new career in my 40’s was not easy. I often questioned if I really had what it takes to be a good therapist. Working with couples and relationships is not always easy especially when clients are in pain. It takes an emotional toll and I had to learn all new coping strategies in order to take care of myself.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I absolutely love blending my two passions of helping clients understand how their emotional selves impact their sexual selves. I work with clients on many different sexual issues but find deep satisfaction helping couples who struggle with a difference of sexual desire or are in a completely sexless relationship and do not want that to continue being the case. What I have found is that often we need to unravel some deep emotional wounds that have created blocks to the sexual relationship/s. My work is all about healing and helping clients understand what gets in the way of living their best sexual life. Communication is such an integral part of a healthy sex life. Many struggle with shame and guilt around asking for what they want and need sexually so being in a safe environment where they can begin to express that can be truly relationship changing.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
Oh boy yes!!! I could not have gotten here with the support from many loved ones. I would not have been able to go back to school if my family/friends had not supported me in that decision.
Professionally it all started with that amazing professor when I was attending Metropolitan State College of Denver. Dr. Mary Ann Watson helped me understand that a career in sexuality was not an illusion but something I could strive for. She encouraged me to explore all options in the field of sexuality.
I’ve already mentioned the owner of the practice I currently belong to, Laura Cross. She has been so supportive the entire way. She’s helped me become a better relationship therapist and encouraged me to find ways to blend my attachment based therapy with sex therapy. She continues to be my biggest cheerleader and often lifts me up when I don’t think I have the strength.
Lastly I could not have become the sex therapist I am today without my sex therapy supervisor Dr. Nelly Cannon. Again such a supportive and caring person. Nelly was the first one that told me I need to start seeing myself as a sex therapist. I think I needed to hear that since for so many years I felt like I wasn’t sure I’d actually get here.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.individualrelationshipcenter.com/
• Other: https://www.individualrelationshipcenter.com/jessie-briegel-lmft