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.

Denise Renye Denise Renye

Food, The Body, and Self Care during this Time of the Year

As we approach the holiday season and continue with many of the shelter-in-place restrictions that are being re-introduced or re-enforced due to the pandemic, I wanted to address topics that come up often in my work: food, eating, and body image.

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The Importance of Surrender

We spend so much time trying to fit ourselves into a warped, sociocultural reality that it’s no wonder we have such high levels of depression and anxiety. We are born into families that nonverbally require us to fit in and we are conditioned by them in order to do so. Then we go to schools that require

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The Hidden Emotional Labor of Women

I, like many women and nonbinary folx, keep thinking about Kamala Harris telling Vice President Mike Pence, “I’m speaking,” when he interrupted her during the recent vice-presidential debate. “I’m speaking” is a full sentence and

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Donald Trump Represents the Abusive Father Archetype

Outright refusing to denounce White supremacy can be likened to emotional neglect. In short, emotional neglect can be understood as a parent/caregiver’s failing to see and hear (and attunement at a deeper level, through empathic resonance)

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Self-care for Political Stress and Anxiety

In general, if you’re looking for self-care techniques due to political stress, I want to remind you it’s the business model of all media outlets – mainstream, alternative, independent, social media, whatever – to generate clicks and views.

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What is Ritual and Ceremonial Psychology?

How do ritual and ceremony relate to psychotherapy? Well, psychotherapy too, has aspects of both ritual and ceremony. In terms of ritual, the practices and applications are passed down from generations of practitioners and there is an initiation. The theoretical orientation of clinicians determines

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What is Sex Therapy?

Sex therapy isn’t just about sex – it’s about expression and pleasure and communication. Yes, I’ve worked with people experiencing vaginismus, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, hypo- and hyperarousal (to name a few), but ultimately what I care about is connecting the body and mind.

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The Problem with the Word Foreplay, A Sexologist’s Opinion

As an aside, everything from casual hook-up sex to committed monogamous has room for communication as a way to increase safety, pleasure, and fun. Pleasure and anxiety cannot coexist so remember when you are playing, if anxiety is up, voice it to your partner(s)

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COVID-19: A Time for Self-Love Through “Hermiting”

Spending time alone is challenging for many people because it’s not a skill we are taught and there’s pressure in society to not be alone. Restaurants have tables for two, wedding invitations ask if you’re bringing a plus one, and for single folx, a recurring question is, “Are you dating anyone?”

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A Bright Spot During COVID-19: Emotional Intimacy

This pandemic is giving us the opportunity to have that emotional revolution because there’s a shared vulnerability. Everyone is impacted by COVID-19 so it’s an easy question to ask someone, “How are you doing?” and encourage an authentic response.

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Ways to Access the Unconscious Through the Body Pt. 3: Focusing

Focusing is subtle and intricate. It has been applied widely in the fields of psychology, medicine, education, conflict resolution, parenting, and decision-making. Perhaps if Focusing was applied to politics, we would see some much-needed improvements in the U.S. in particular.

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Gender Fluidity

Perhaps I should back up and make sure we are all on the same page regarding sex and gender. Sex is biological. It is vulva. It is penis. It is scrotum. It is uterus. It is anatomy, the reproductive system and the secondary characteristics. Gender is expression of femaleness and maleness and everything in between.

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