Molly Young, PsyD

Licensed Psychologist

  • I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Western Washington University in 2013, a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Pacific University in 2018, and a Doctor of Psychology degree in Clinical Psychology from Pacific University in 2021.

    My doctoral research consisted of evaluating the self-perceived cultural competence of psychologists in working with BDSM practitioners in Portland, Oregon, proposing a positive model for submissive identity development, and identifying the overlapping and distinct features of BDSM and abuse. I also have experience in teaching and providing workshops for mental health providers on how to work clinically with clients who are non-monogamous and kinky.

    I am currently receiving advanced training in Holistic Sex Therapy as a student in the Holistic Sex Therapy/Counseling Training Program through the Institute for Sex Education & Enlightenment.

  • 2SLGBTQIA+, Kink/BDSM, Consensual Non-monogamy, Sexual Concerns, Relational Trauma, and Fat Liberation

  • Individual Therapy, Sex Therapy, Relational Therapy, and Group Therapy.

Hello! I’m Dr. Molly Young (they/them) and I am a licensed psychologist in both Oregon and Washington. I see individuals and partners (ages 21+) virtually for sex and relationship therapy as well as run a virtual relational trauma process group. I specialize in working with queer, gender expansive, non-monogamous, and kinky folks. I am sex-worker allied and affirming.

Are you a good clinical fit?

Many clients may feel they want to work with me because I am non-binary and queer and they would like to work with someone who shares identities and potentially lived experiences with them. This makes sense – you want someone who gets it; however, I may not be the right therapist for you if your presenting concerns are outside of my competency areas and current scope of practice. With that in mind, we may be a good clinical fit if you are seeking support with the following:

  • Exploration of orientations and identities: gender, sexuality, and relationship

  • Exploration of kink and BDSM

    • Identifying curiosities, boundaries, soft limits, and hard limits, understanding your risk profile and the risk profiles of others, vetting partners, scene negotiation, and consent, identifying unhealthy behaviors and/or coercive control and abuse within kink dynamics, etc.

  • Exploration of non-monogamous relationships

    • Opening an existing relationship, boundaries, negotiating relationship agreements, navigating new relationship energy, managing jealousy, deconstructing mono-normativity, etc.

  • Building communication skills and navigating chronic misattunement in relationships

  • Enhancing sexual desire, arousal, and pleasure

  • Healing from relational and sexual trauma

My Approach

I take a sex-positive approach to mental and sexual healthcare that is both trauma- and resiliency-informed. I embrace consensual sexual expression as a natural and healthy part of the human experience as well as recognize the validity of asexual and aromantic spectrums. I strive to create a non-judgmental and empowering environment for those I work with.

I strongly value curiosity and creativity as key components of moving toward relational connectedness and subsequent growth. I also incorporate humor in my sessions, as appropriate, to bring lightness to what can often be heavy work.

I integrate concepts from Relational-Cultural Therapy, Attachment Theory, Feminist Theory, Internal Family Systems, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Somatic Therapy. 

I look forward to working with you!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Submit a prospective patient form, select sex or relationship therapy, and provide a brief description of why you are seeking these services. Our admin team will reach out to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation with Dr. Young to better understand your presenting concerns and therapeutic needs, and to determine if you and Dr. Young are a good match for therapy.

    If we are a good match, Dr. Young will schedule an intake evaluation with you (55-minutes) and will send you our new patient paperwork including a sex therapy specific intake packet.

  • Regular sessions are 45-55 minutes, typically weekly or every other week, providing psychoeducation and specific suggestions and techniques in addition to therapeutic support to address your concerns.

  • Yes! Sex therapy may be a primary therapy, or it may be a secondary service additional to another type of therapy that you attend.

Begin Today

trust, let go and be open.