Stefani Elizabeth Goerlich (born 1979) is an American author, sexologist, researcher, and relationship counselor. She is an author of books based on academic self-help, sexual, and relational health themes. She is a licensed clinical social worker with advanced specialization in forensic social work and an AASECT certified sex therapist.
Goerlich is the founder of Bound Together Counseling and an ABS board-certified Diplomate of Sexology. She specializes in gender, sexuality, and relationship diversity, with an emphasis on BDSM, kink, ethical non-monogamy, and kink-affirming therapy. She is licensed to see clients in Michigan, Ohio, Arizona, and Florida.
Education
Goerlich obtained a bachelor's degree in Human Service from Baker College in 2012, a master's degree in Social Work with a concentration in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy from Wayne State University in 2015, and a post-graduate certificate in Sex Therapy from the University of Michigan's Sex Health Certificate Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Awards
- Coalition of Visionary Resources Award for Faith and Magick in the Armed Forces, 2009
- American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) Book Award, 2020
- Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR) Professional Book Award, 2022
- The Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH) Media Award, 2022
- American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) Sexuality Book Award (General Focus), 2024
Publications
Books
- Stefani Barner. Faith and Magick in the Armed Forces: A Handbook for Pagans in the Military. Llewellyn, 2008.
- Stefani Goerlich. The Leather Couch: Clinical Practice with Kinky Clients. Routledge, 2020.
- Stefani Goerlich. Kink-Affirming Practice: Culturally Competent Therapy from the Leather Chair. Routledge, 2022.
- Stefani Goerlich. With Sprinkles on Top: Everything Vanilla People and Their Kinky Partners Need to Know to Communicate, Explore, and Connect. Sounds True, 2023.
- Stefani Goerlich and Elyssa Helfer. BDSM & Kink: The Basics. Routledge, 2024.
Articles
- Goerlich, S. (2023). "Cradle and all: outcome differences between kink-affirming and kink-uninformed therapies for a complex client with paraphilia". Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 1-24.
- Goerlich, S. (2024). "A roomful of leopards: differentiating intimate partner violence from consensual kink". Couple and Family Psychoanalysis, Vol. 14, No. 1, 59–78.
References
- Hour Detroit - Seeking Support
- The Jewish News - Jewish Therapist Focuses on Helping Religious Couples
- American Board of Sexology - Stefani Goerlich
- Beautiful Machine Magazine - Sex Therapist Stefani Goerlich
- Google Scholar - Stefani Goerlich
- Stateline - Mental Health Crisis and Social Workers
- School of Social work grad becomes award-winning author and sex therapist
- American Board of Sexology - Stefani Goerlich
- Llewellyn Blog - Coalition of Visionary Resources Awards
- AASECT - Book Award
- SSTAR - Awards
- SASH - Awards
- AASECT Annual Conference - Award Recipients
- AASECT News - 2024 Awards
- Amazon - Faith and Magick in the Armed Forces
- Routledge - The Leather Couch
- Routledge - Kink-Affirming Practice
- Sounds True - With Sprinkles on Top
- Routledge - BDSM & Kink: The Basics
- Google Scholar - Cradle and All
- Google Scholar - A Roomful of Leopards