About Us
Open. Honest. Accepting.
CAROLYN HERSETH
MSW (she/her)
Carolyn Herseth is an identity- and lifestyle-affirming therapist practicing in Chicago, IL. Carolyn received her Master’s in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, focusing on the intersection of mental and sexual health. Her clinical focus includes working with clients on anxiety, mood disorders, relationship issues, trauma, and sexual dysfunctions or worries. Carolyn’s personal and professional interests lie in dismantling sexual- and gender-based oppression, nurturing healthy and explorative conversations around sex, and working with people who have or will experience significant physical and hormonal changes. Prior to practicing therapy, Carolyn had over five years of experience in consulting. Carolyn is a member of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT).
Therapeutic Approach:
Carolyn's approach centers on building strong client-therapist relationships to set and achieve treatment goals. Carolyn emphasizes an individual’s strengths and rights to self-determination and self-expression, and she welcomes individuals of all identities and abilities into her practice. Carolyn’s experience includes providing intensive therapy and wrap-around services to individuals experiencing trauma- and mood-related issues due to sexual exploitation and violence. Her therapeutic approach highlights Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and includes elements of dialectics, relational and systems theories, tailoring services to each client to best meet their goals, strengths, and desires.
SYDNEY RADLER
LSW (they/them)
Sydney Radler is an LGBTQ+/BDSM/Kink/ENM/Poly-friendly therapist practicing in Chicago, Illinois. Sydney earned their Master’s degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis where they focused their studies on clinical mental health and sexual health. Sydney’s connection with passionate professionals in the sex work industry, kink community, and those who joyously practice non-monogamy in many forms ignited their interest to center a more expansive, pleasure-positive, liberation-minded therapeutic approach.
Therapeutic Approach:
Sydney has experience providing intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization treatment to clients experiencing mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and chronic pain and illnesses. They enthusiastically work with clients of all gender and sexual identity expressions. Sydney has a passion for helping clients relieve shame while processing through experiences of sexual exploration, substance use, violence, trauma, relationship stressors, spirituality, interpersonal conflict, anxiety, mood disorders, and life transitions. They have a particular interest in helping clients develop insight and self-reflection to determine how best to approach the challenges they face. They are a member of the American Association of of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) and they completed the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MNCASA) 40-hour domestic and sexual violence training.
KATIE JENSEN
LCSW, CST (she, her, hers)
Katie Jensen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Sex Therapist (CST) practicing in Chicago, IL. Katie's multiple specialties include working with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual (LGB) and the Trans and Gender-Nonconforming (TGNC) communities, as well as people impacted by HIV. Katie is experienced with treatment of sexual dysfunction, sexual trauma, and the intersections of physical health, culture, identity, and expression.
Katie’s passion for studying sex and sexuality started while conducting HIV research at Providence College. Excited and buoyed by finding likeminded professionals, Katie began to more intentionally strive toward her passion: providing sex therapy. She sees individuals struggling with a variety of issues such as concerns about sexual functioning and frequency, sexual pain, and sexual interests.
Therapeutic Approach:
Katie believes in creating a welcoming therapeutic space that is both person-centered and affirming. She sees therapy as a space and time for you to define goals and explore new ways to address the issues you’re facing. Her services are tailored to each individual and she works to maintain an environment that is collaborative and strengths-based. Her ultimate goal is to help you feel more comfortable and confident as you navigate the world.
Katie's expertise focuses on individuals and couple work, treating those struggling with anxiety, depression, and sexual dysfunction. She also has additional expertise in working with people of alternative and dynamic sexualities and relational expressions. She uses Cognitive Behavior Therapy as her foundational approach in which she integrates elements of trauma-informed, Humanistic, Relational, and Family Systems theories to provide you with the most effective, compassionate, and competent care.
Katie is an LGBTQ/BDSM/Kink/Poly-friendly therapist who completed the State of IL's 40-hour Domestic Violence Training and is experienced in providing care to people impacted by Intimate Partner Violence. Katie is Level 1 certified in couples’ therapy through the Gottman Institute.
MELISSA A. NOVAK
LCSW, CST-S (she, her, hers)
Melissa Novak a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Sex Therapist-Supervisor, in Chicago, IL, specializing in the treatment of sexual dysfunction, personality disorders as well as depression and anxiety related disorders. She has experience working adults, and couples on a variety of issues such as sexual dysfunction, depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. Melissa has a particular interest working with those struggling with sexual dysfunction and/or concerned about some aspect of their sexual behavior. In addition to providing individual therapy, Melissa serves as an educator and supervisor within the Chicagoland community and currently teaches as an adjunct professor at the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. She serves as Secretary for the Board of Directors of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT), and is a member of the Association of Black Sexologists and Clinicians (ABSC), the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), PROS-Network Chicago, and the Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR). She has completed Levels I and II of Gottman Method Couples Therapy.
Therapeutic Approach:
Melissa believes the therapeutic relationship is a safe place to explore, examine and assess where you are today versus where you want to be in the future. Together, you will identify the challenges that keep you from living a more satisfying life and develop concrete plans and skills to address these obstacles. Her style is always collaborative, in which you are the expert of your own experience and strengths. She is goal-oriented and takes time to review your treatment plan with you to ensure cohesiveness between her expertise in mental health and your expertise in your life. This means the sessions are focused and goals are clear.
The foundation of her approach is grounded in empirically-validated treatments, proven most effective in treating sexual concerns, anxiety and depression, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and sexual therapy. This organized approach helps focus sessions, direct interventions and provides the structure needed to address a variety of issues clients may experience.
She is open to working with all forms of sexual expression and orientation and utilizes a sex-positive approach when working with sexual disorders. All treatment is confidential and follows ethical guidelines as defined by AASECT and NASW.
Click here to listen to a radio interview with Melissa discussing Pleasure vs Performance.
Click here to watch Melissa on Chicago’s the Jam Morning Show.
Click here to listen to Melissa’s thoughts on Overcoming Sexual Performance Anxiety on the Sexology Podcast.
Click here to learn more about meeting sexual needs during a pandemic.
Click here to know if you should worry about masturbating too much during a pandemic.
We are devoted to working against discrimination in any form it may take, including racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, anti-Semitism, xenophobia, fatphobia, whorephobia, and ableism. We stand firm in our pledge to actively promote values of inclusivity, equity, and cultural humility.
Click here to read more about our commitment to social justice and access some of the resources MN Therapies is utilizing in our anti-racist journey.