Blog and Articles
A new blog, on average, is published about 3-8x a month, tending to offer ideas and perspectives on psychological aspects of current events, an introduction or deepening of how Dr. Denise Renye works with people, and some practices you can do blending psychology, sexology, spirituality, embodiment and art.
Press publications and mentions can be found here.
Notice to readers
These articles are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, medical treatment, coaching or therapy. Seeking the advice of your physician or qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding any mental health symptom or medical condition is imperative. Do not disregard professional psychological or medical advice. Do not delay in the seeking of professional advice or treatment because of something you have read here.
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Beyond the Binary: How Non-Heteronormative Sex Expands Pleasure and Connection for Everyone
When we stop assuming what sex should look like, we open space to ask deeper questions: What feels good to me? How do I want to feel in connection with you? Where in my body is pleasure waking up? This is the root of embodied erotic liberation.
7 Somatic Practices for When You’re Stressed
In times of high stress, a common coping strategy is to withdraw into the mind—to make plans, to rationalize, to ruminate. The mind will start flitting around like a manic butterfly, never quite landing but yearning to do so. The mind may also say now is the time to do more, more, more, and slowing down is not on it’s list.
Parenting as a Practice of Letting Go: Lessons from the Beginning
Letting go, in this context, is not abandonment. It is presence without possession. It is deep care without control. It is choosing to attune, again and again, even when the past wants to repeat itself.
To parent is to love with open hands.
To support parents is to honor the sacred labor of that love.
And to reflect on these early years—from my work in Early Intervention to my current practice—is to be reminded that healing begins not only in adulthood, but in infancy.
Psychedelic Integration for Leaders: Why Consciousness Work Matters in Business
The best leaders are not those who have all the answers. They are those who have the inner capacity to stay present, curious, and responsive in a complex world.
Psychedelics may offer a breakthrough—but integration is what builds capacity, embodiment, and sustainability.
Meeting the Divine: Psychedelics, Mystical States, and the “God Molecule”
I support individuals—both in therapy and in private coaching containers—who are trying to make sense of what happened in their psychedelic journeys. Whether someone touched God, relived trauma, dissolved into light, or encountered the shadow of their unconscious, these experiences require reverence and a thoughtful return to embodied life.
How to Support the Immigrants in Your Life
Instead of offering advice, offer love. Listen without fixing. Be a witness without judgment. Remind the immigrants in your life, “You are loved no matter where you are, no matter what you choose.” Immigration pain is real but you can make it less so by being a safe harbor for the immigrants in your life
Donald Trump Represents the Abusive Father Archetype
Along those lines, he regularly uses culture and religion to shame people and instill fear in the hearts and minds of White Americans. He instituted a travel ban from several Arabic countries to protect Americans from “terrorists.” He also built a wall between Mexico and the U.S. to keep out Mexican “rapists.” He fans the flames of prejudice and racism to spur fear of Black and Brown folx.
Bearing Witness: The Psychological Costs of ICE Policies and the Human Toll of Detention
As therapists, we are taught to hold a neutral stance. Yet in the face of systemic injustice, neutrality can feel like complicity. My experience volunteering with asylum seekers has challenged me to integrate advocacy into my practice while remaining grounded in my clients’ needs and autonomy.
Beyond Romance: Celebrating Queer Platonic Relationships
f you are in or considering a queer platonic relationship, know that your bond is valid and worthy of celebration. Whether you are sharing a home, co-raising a child, being an emergency contact or simply showing up for each other in deep and meaningful ways, your relationship matters. It deserves the same care, recognition, and respect as any other partnership.
In a world that often prioritizes romance, let’s honor the relationships that defy categories. Let’s celebrate all the ways we can love and support each other, queer platonically or otherwise.
Straightwashing Real-Life Relationships
It's not my place to label your relationships, but nor is it the place of anyone not in the relationship. What I’m getting at here is that old axiom you’ve likely heard: “Don’t assume because that makes an ‘ass’ out of ‘u’ and ‘me.’” If you see a hetero-appearing couple on the street, in the grocery store, or anywhere else, make a mental note to not straightwash them because truly, you have no idea what someone’s sexuality is until they tell you.
Why Being Authentic is the Most Revolutionary, Loving Act You Can Commit
Authenticity requires courage.
The Healing Power of Slowing Down
Slowing down, then, is not just a lifestyle shift; it’s a reparative act. It tells the parts of you that were rushed through heartbreak, brushed past in grief, or silenced in fear that they matter now. That their feelings, their pace, their needs are valid. In a world that rewards urgency and productivity, choosing to move with care becomes an act of self-honoring. You stop pushing past yourself and instead start listening in.
Your Way Is the Way: Trusting Your Inner Path
This is where therapy or depth-oriented coaching can be transformative. When done by well-trained practitioners, these relational practices don’t impose direction; they offer a container where your own inner voice can rise and be heard.
The Quiet Power of Sexual Discipline: How Self-Containment Could Build Lasting Love
A partner with discipline doesn’t need to chase the thrill of something new to feel desirable. They’re not seeking a high—they’re seeking something real. Their self-worth isn’t on the line every time attraction enters the room. That steadiness makes space for emotional depth.
Why Do So Many Married Straight Women Struggle to Enjoy Sex?
Sex isn't separate from the rest of the relationship. When women feel unseen, unappreciated, or taken for granted, their bodies often respond by closing off. Not because they don't care, but because some deeper, wiser part of them refuses to be vulnerable without safety.
It’s Not “Too Sensitive.” It’s Neurobiological Hypervigilance
As a trauma-informed depth psychologist, I’ve witnessed that with trauma-informed therapy, somatic (meaning, body) practices, and compassionate relational repair, it's possible to rewire those patterns. But the first step is understanding you’re not broken, and your responses make sense given your history. Your nervous system is doing what it was trained to do. Healing doesn’t mean turning that sensitivity off – it means learning how to feel safe with it on. If you’re looking for suggestions, I have some.
Yoga and Easter and Death and Rebirth
The yoga sequence is not only a philosophical death and rebirth, it’s an embodied one. Each practitioner moves through the death and rebirth cycle physically. Why does that matter? Because embodiment is imperative to a happier and more fulfilling life. The body’s wisdom can support you in making decisions about what to do, or what not to do. (For a specific practice that uses the body to support you in gaining insight, check out Focusing and Felt Sense).
Enmeshment vs. Emotional Availability in Relationships: How to Tell the Difference
Healthy love doesn’t ask you to disappear. It doesn’t require you to manage someone else’s feelings or constantly prove your loyalty.
Healthy love invites you to stay connected to yourself and another.
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being present—with compassion, with boundaries, and with the courage to love without losing yourself.
Loving Someone Through the Hard Stuff
Sometimes, holding space means also knowing when to call in backup. Whether it’s a therapist, a support group, or a trusted friend, don’t hesitate to suggest (or seek) additional help. You’re not failing by doing so—you’re honoring the complexity of being human.
Back in my work with breast cancer survivors, this often meant helping participants find therapists or clinicians who understood the nuances of their identities. Everyone deserves care that sees the whole person. If you're unsure where to begin, a referral from a trusted professional can go a long way.