ABOUT RSTI
Our Approach to Relationship and Sex Therapy
No one way to love. No one way to heal. No one way to be.
At the Relationship & Sex Therapy Institute (RSTI), we offer care that honors the full range of human experience—including variations in neurocognitive function, gender identity, sexual orientation, body, cultural background, and relationship structure.
We are rooted in best practices and clinical rigor, but just as importantly, we are shaped by real-world complexity and deep respect for client autonomy. Whether clients are seeking healing from trauma, tools for navigating intimacy, or support through identity transitions, we meet them with warmth, clarity, and curiosity.
A Home for Innovation, Inclusion, and Inquiry
RSTI emerged within Advance Psychotherapy Practice (APP) as a response to a clear and unmet need in the region: an affirming, rigorous, and specialized space for sex therapy—one that honors a wide range of identities, including those historically marginalized, and fosters meaningful professional development for all clinicians.
The vision was born through peer dialogue and mutual support—therapists sharing strategies, insights, frustrations, and aspirations. Together, we participated in reading groups on sex therapy theory and cultivated a culture of critical inquiry. We began co-leading therapy groups focused on sexuality and gender, addressing topics such as neurodivergent sexuality, out-of-control sexual behavior, and support for trans and gender-nonconforming clients. Beginning to establish RSTI as a source of thought leadership in the field, group co-leaders shared their innovations through publication and continuing education offerings.
What began as grassroots professional learning has since evolved into a structured cohort model—where dedicated therapists participate in training and consultation while continuing to expand our clinical offerings, including intensives, workshops, and coordinated care across individual, couples, and group formats.
Our Relationship to APP
APP remains our home base, providing the infrastructure and collaborative environment that made RSTI’s evolution possible. We are proud to be rooted in APP’s commitment to integrated, team-based care. For example, a client might participate in a therapy group or receive intensive trauma treatment (such as EMDR) through APP, coordinated seamlessly with services offered through RSTI.
At the same time, RSTI brings its own distinct voice—grounded in rigorous study, neurodiversity-affirming frameworks, and a deep commitment to sexual health and relational justice.
Ariel Pliskin, MSW, LICSW, CST, CSE (they/them), joined APP in 2021 and now serves as Program Manager for RSTI. Ariel brings extensive experience in community leadership, clinical services, scholarship, and teaching, with a focus on integrating sexuality, neurodivergence, and identity in psychotherapy.
Rooted in Best Practices, Informed by Diverse Perspectives
All RSTI therapists complete Level 1 training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy because of its accessible, practical tools for communication and relationship repair. From there, our therapists integrate a range of modalities—including somatic awareness, family systems, narrative, and psychodynamic therapy—tailored to client needs.
We draw from the standards of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) and other interdisciplinary frameworks to support ethical, client-centered, and inclusive care.
Cultural Humility & Social Justice
RSTI therapists understand that therapeutic work is shaped by systems of power and histories of harm. We strive to provide anti-oppressive care that affirms clients across race, gender, sexuality, size, ability, class, and neurotype. We seek to challenge systemic inequities and remain accountable through continuing education, peer dialogue, and self-reflection.
Ongoing Learning & Field Contribution
At RSTI, we view study as a form of care. We engage critically with emerging research, honor lived experience as expertise, and create regular opportunities for our team to learn together. Our therapists contribute to the broader field through training, workshops, publications, and conference presentations—expanding the reach of inclusive, evidence-informed practice.
Collaborative, Integrated Care
Our therapists work closely not only with each other, but also with other clinicians at APP and beyond. This allows us to coordinate care across modalities—whether a client is attending a therapy group, working with a trauma specialist, or participating in a couples intensive. Our integrated approach helps clients feel supported across the full arc of their healing and growth.
Our Core Clinical Approaches Include:
Communication Skills Coaching – Practical tools for improving emotional and sexual communication
Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Science-backed interventions for strengthening relationships
Sensate Focus – Mindfulness-based exercises for building intimacy and pleasure
Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice – Supporting clients to live more fully into their support needs, identities, desires, and agency