ABOUT US
Our mission at AVID Intimacy is to embolden and equip people to access the transformative power of intimacy—within themselves and their relationships.
Through expert, sex-positive therapy, we help clients explore their needs, wants and desires, strip away shame, deepen connection, and live more fully alive in their bodies, hearts, and lives.
WE ARE…
ETERNAL SEEKERS
We are constantly seeking. We believe curiosity is the antidote to judgment. Whether we’re exploring a stuck point, a new desire, or an old wound, we approach it with open-hearted inquiry.
ACTIVELY COMPASSIONATE
We believe everyone is worthy of love, connection, and care—just as they are. We are asking our clients to show us their most tender parts. It’s only fair we handle those parts with the compassion they need.
RELENTLESS PURSUERS
We don’t shy away from the hard stuff—we are tenacoius helping people push past fear, shame, and disconnection to build the lives and relationships they crave. Put simply: we don’t believe in settling
CREATORS OF COMMUNITY
Intimacy doesn’t happen in isolation. Nor does healing or growth. We foster a sense of community and belonging in every session, conversation, and collaboration.
MAJOR PLAYERS
We play our way to positive, new experiences. Playfulness helps us soften resistance, access pleasure, and remember that healing can be a vibrant, life-affirming experience.
OUR THERAPISTS
-
LENA ELKHATIB, LMFT, CST (she/her)
FOUNDER OF AVID INTIMACY
RELATIONSHIP & SEX THERAPISTClinical Interests:
Sex & intimacy issues
Mismatched Desire
Relationship Conflict
Sexual shame/Religious sexual shame
Sexual & relational self exploration
Infidelity recovery
Sexual fantasy integration
Non-monogamous lifestyles
Kink & BDSM Exploration -
RACHEL ZAR, PhD, LMFT, CST (she/her)
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
INDIVIDUAL, RELATIONSHIP & SEX THERAPISTClinical Interests:
Sex & intimacy issues
Painful sex/chronic pelvic pain
Trauma & complex trauma
Sexual & relational self exploration
Desire discrepancy
Low libido/arousal
Life transitions -
RACHEL SCHWARTZ, LMFT, CST (she/her)
DIRECTOR OF TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
INDIVIDUAL, RELATIONSHIP & SEX THERAPISTClinical Interests:
Identity Work
Intimacy Concerns
Desire Discrepancy
Infidelity
Aging
Life Transitions
Religious Exploration/Unpacking
Women’s Health
Men’s Health -
LIBBY EBERT, LMFT, CST (she/her)
INDIVIDUAL, RELATIONSHIP & SEX THERAPIST
Clinical Interests:
Erotic conflict
LGBTIA+ and Queer-affirmative therapy
Interracial Partnerships
BIPOC identities
Mixed Orientation Partnerships
Kink, paraphilias, and BDSM
Sexual Shame
Trauma
Nonmonogamy/polyamory
Modern Dating -
JEN MENDE, MA (she/they)
INDIVIDUAL, RELATIONSHIP & SEX THERAPIST
Clinical Interests:
Trauma recovery
Self-compassion
Identity exploration
Relational awareness and communication
Body image concerns
LGBTQIA+ individuals/relationships
Latine/x issues, machismo & marianismo -
NEILA OULDALI, LMFT, PMH-C
COUPLE & FAMILY THERAPIST
PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH CERTIFIEDClinical Interests:
Intimacy concerns
Infertility
Perinatal/postpartum sexuality
Trauma recovery
Relationship conflict and repair
Self and identity development
Interracial/religious relationships
Executive functioning and skills -
LAYLA TAHMASSEBI, MA (they/them)
INDIVIDUAL, RELATIONSHIP & SEX THERAPIST
Clinical Interests:
Uncomfortable/painful sex
Somatic sex therapy
Kink/BDSM
Non-monogamy/polyamory
LGBTQIA+ individuals/relationships
Anxiety
OCD & Sexuality -
CHARLES KIMBALL, AMFT (he/him)
INDIVIDUAL, RELATIONSHIP & SEX THERAPIST
Clinical Interests:
Men’s sexuality
Sex & Intimacy issues
Trauma recovery
Relationship Conflict
Self-Esteem & Self-Confidence -
KELSEY BALDWIN, LMFT (she/her)
INDIVIDUAL, RELATIONSHIP & SEX THERAPIST
Clinical Interests:
Relationship Conflict
Trauma Recovery
Sex and Intimacy Issues
Desire Discrepancy
Unaddressed Attachment Wounds
Infidelity Recovery -
MIRSADIES RABER-DUNNING, AMFT (she/they)
INDIVIDUAL, RELATIONSHIP & SEX THERAPIST
Clinical Interests:
Sex & Intimacy issues
Communication issues
LGBTQIA+ relationships
Non-monogamy/polyamory
Life transitions
Identity development/exploration -
VITO RIZZI, AMFT (he/him)
INDIVIDUAL, RELATIONSHIP & SEX THERAPIST
Clinical Interests:
Polyamory/CNM Dynamics
Infidelity Recovery
Intimacy Concerns
ADHD/Neurodivergence
Men’s Mental Health
Depression and Anxiety
Kink/BDSM
Discernment -
SOPHIE TOBIN, AMFT (she/her)
INDIVIDUAL, RELATIONSHIP AND SEX THERAPIST
Clinical Interests:
Sex & intimacy issues
LGBTQIA+ relationships
Non-monogamy/polyamory
Neurodivergence
Kink & BDSM
Sexual shame -
NADINE ABDELRAHIM (she/her)
RELATIONSHIP & SEX THERAPY INTERN
Clinical Interests:
LGBTQIA+ Relationships
High Conflict Relationships
Sexual Trauma
BDSM & Kink
Non-Monogamy
Identity Exploration -
GABRIELLA BOVA, MA
INDIVIDUAL, RELATIONSHIP & SEX THERAPIST
Clinical Interests:
Desire discrepancy
Painful sex
Sexual trauma
Infidelity
Sex & intimacy issues
Relationship conflict
-
JORDAN SPECHT, AMFT (she/her)
INDIVIDUAL, RELATIONSHIP & SEX THERAPIST
Clinical Interests:
Desire discrepancy
Sexual Shame
Sexual trauma
Sex & intimacy issues
Navigating kink and non-monogamy
-
AMINAH BAZZELL-SMITH (she/her)
RELATIONSHIP & SEX THERAPY INTERN
Clinical Interests:
Postpartum intimacy and sexuality
Desire Discrepancy
Relational conflict
Identity Exploration
Lifestage Transitions
Working with BIPOC clients
-
J BLU (HE/HIM)
RELATIONSHIP & SEX THERAPY INTERN
Clinical Interests:
Intimacy Beyond Performance
Shame & Self-Compassion
Living Alongside Grief
Identity Exploration
Embodiment & Mind-Body Connection
Queer, Trans & BIPOC Communities
