In the Baltimore-Washington area, Heather M. Garner, LCSW-C has been a staple of the mental health community, providing services to consensually non-monogamous (CNM) and kink-identified individuals, couples, and polycules for almost two decades. She has found that while most people worry about the first step of contacting a therapist, members of the kink and CNM communities often have a more difficult time entering into treatment. Members of these communities need to find a therapist who will not make their lifestyle choices an issue when it is not one. They should also not be responsible for educating their therapist about their interests, sexual activities, or desires.

To support these beliefs and to be able to provide services to more folx, Heather built Garnering Change Psychotherapy, a sex-positive, affirming mental health practice dedicated to intimate relationships and sexual health and has filled it with like-minded therapists. As a member of AASECT, Heather places great importance on respecting her clients’ unique identities and sexualities. Her approach involves collaborating with clients to promote experiences that are consensual, free from exploitation, characterized by honesty, protected, and ultimately, enjoyable.

Heather provides continuing education courses for mental health professionals, focusing on consensually non-monogamous relationships and kink-based topics. She is also an active presenter at local events within the kink community. Additionally, there are rumors circulating about an upcoming book authored by her. In addition to her work with CNM and individuals in the kink community, Heather has received training in Trauma-Focused Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Grief Recovery, and holds certifications as a Relational Life Therapy clinician (RLT) and from the University of Michigan Sexual Health Certificate Program in the Sex Therapy Track.

Learn more about Heather at https://www.therealheathergarner.com.