# Self-Led Sexuality: Reclaiming Intimacy Through IFS with Patricia Rich, LCSW (299) Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/therapist-uncensored-podcast-632021/self-led-sexuality-reclaiming-intimacy-through-ifs-with-patricia-rich-lcsw-299 Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/therapist-uncensored-podcast-632021/self-led-sexuality-reclaiming-intimacy-through-ifs-with-patricia-rich-lcsw-299.md Podcast: [Therapist Uncensored Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/therapist-uncensored-podcast-632021) Published: 2026-05-12T05:05:23+00:00 Episode link: https://therapistuncensored.com/episodes/self-led-sexuality-reclaiming-intimacy-through-ifs-with-patricia-rich-lcsw-299/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=self-led-sexuality-reclaiming-intimacy-through-ifs-with-patricia-rich-lcsw-299 Audio file: https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/media.blubrry.com/therapistuncensored/ins.blubrry.com/therapistuncensored/20260512PatriciaRichFINAL.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/therapist-uncensored-podcast-632021/episodes/self-led-sexuality-reclaiming-intimacy-through-ifs-with-patricia-rich-lcsw-299 Duration seconds: 4785 ## Resource Sex can feel complicated when our parts get involved Patricia Rich introduces the concept of self-led sexuality — approaching sexuality from curiosity, compassion, and connection rather than fear or conditioning. She explains how understanding our internal “parts” can help individuals navigate conflicting desires, deepen consent, and create greater safety within themselves and their relationships. Explore the complexities of sexuality, emphasizing the importance of self-led sexuality and the integration of Internal Family Systems (IFS) in sexual therapy. The conversation also examines the broader cultural forces that influence sexuality, including capitalism, gender expectations, and the silence many therapists themselves experience around sexual topics. Grounded in both clinical insight and humanity, this episode offers a refreshing framework for understanding sexuality as a space for healing, embodiment, and authentic connection. “Listening to our desires doesn’t mean we have to act on them all. Simply acknowledging the parts of ourselves who hold those desires and validating their longings can bring inner connection and vitality.” – Patricia Rich, LCSW CST-S Time Stamps for Bonus – Self-Led Sexuality: Reclaiming Intimacy Through IFS with Patricia Rich, LCSW CST-S (299) 01:51 The challenges of discussing sexuality 07:53 Integrating IFS into sexual therapy 13:39 The positive intentions of our parts 22:17 Self-led sexuality: Leading from within 28:01 Therapists’ relationship with sexuality 35:51 The six S’s of sexual self-energy 40:28 Creating Safety in Sexual Conversations 45:03 Exploring sensuality and its barriers 01:01:10 Exploring exiled parts and performance pressure 01:05:07 The concept of internal consent 01:11:36 Cultu… ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/therapist-uncensored-podcast-632021/episodes/self-led-sexuality-reclaiming-intimacy-through-ifs-with-patricia-rich-lcsw-299/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/therapist-uncensored-podcast-632021/self-led-sexuality-reclaiming-intimacy-through-ifs-with-patricia-rich-lcsw-299.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.