Paola Rodriguez how sex therapy can empower healthier adult relationships

Paola Andrea Rodriguez is a bilingual, bicultural Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist and Certified Sex Therapist. She works with people of diverse ethnic backgrounds, cultures, gender, and sexual orientations and provides individual, couple, and group therapy to adults. 

“While unfortunate events and situations are inevitable in life, how we choose to view those situations will determine how we adapt. Mistakes are part of life, not a sign of self-defeat, and should be seen as opportunities to learn and grow,” Paola explains.

Paola aims to create a safe space for positive and long-lasting change for each individual. “I believe in the power of choice, and focus on strengthening the willingness to improve and succeed. I am passionate about my work and the approaches that I use; because I have applied them myself, to overcome life’s natural struggles,” says Paola. 

Her approach to therapy is founded on the belief that people can change or modify aspects of their lives that no longer represent who they are or how they wish to be perceived by others. Paola works with each individual to modify thinking patterns and behaviors to help them maintain a positive self-value throughout the course of their lives, despite the challenges they may face. 

“I teach the art of self-compassion, and provide individuals with tools to practice acceptance. I believe in empowerment, the infinite power of self-help and solution focused therapy,” she says. 

Paola has a private practice in the city of Miami, Life Discovery Psychotherapy, and also offers sex education in her you tube channel Sexxions with Paola. She is currently a member of AASECT (American Association of sexuality educators, counselors and therapists) and is the creator of Love and Lust workshops, which are offered for the public in the Wynwood area. Her main goal is to educate, normalize and guide people to become the best version of themselves. 

Changing our personal narratives for better, stronger relationships 

One way Paola works with clients to rework their thinking patterns is to re-evaluate the personal narratives we tell ourselves daily about ourselves and others. These stories reinforce our beliefs and perceptions and the more we tell them to ourselves, the more we believe them. But these narratives are often rooted in insecurity, negativity, and blame. 

In a recent newsletter, Paola writes, “Narratives and stories are part of my daily life. I sit with individuals  and couples as they unpack the narratives they have inherited and the ones that have developed over time. One of the challenging parts about the stories we tell ourselves, is that they can become narrow or one sided. When we convince ourselves that our perception is a fact, we can get stuck on blame and resentment, causing immobility, very much like being stuck on quick sand.

In order to move forward, we must see the stories we tell ourselves from every angle. When we can take a deeper dive into our partner’s world, putting any personalization aside, we will be able to see the hurt child, the lonely teen, or the shameful adult. Only then, can we begin to see our partner’s behavior as their own courageous act of survival that has helped them ease past pain. And just like getting out of quicksand, it will take time, focus, and patience.” 

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A post shared by Paola A. Rodríguez – Latina Sex Therapist 🇨🇴 (@sexxionswithpaola)

Changing your personal narratives is a lot like getting out of that metaphoric quicksand. Below, Paola shares some tips for getting out of the one-sided stories we tell ourselves so we can strengthen our relationships. 

Steps to getting out quicksand (or a one sided story): 

1. Make yourself as light as possible – toss your bag, jacket and shoes. Make yourself as light as possible by getting rid of assumptions, all or nothing thinking and seeing your partner’s behavior as an intentional act to hurt you.

2. Try to take a few steps backwards. Take steps backwards by asking yourself if this behavior is something that your partner brought into this relationship from their own upbringing? Is it a protective mechanism for past injuries?

3.Keep your arms up and out of the quicksand. Remind yourself that this isn’t solely about you. 

4. Take deep breaths. Take deep breaths and slow down your pace so you can really listen with intention.

5. Move slowly and deliberately. Move slowly and deliberately.

For more from Paola Andrea Rodriguez, check out her YouTube channel and visit https://www.lifediscoverypsych.com/ 

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