Jessica Gunawan is a Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist and Mental health Occupational Therapist. She is registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia / AHPRA. Jess has extensive experience working with people who live with mental health issues. Allowing her to work with a range of clients including adolescents.
Jess works with individuals who are experiencing sexual difficulties. Including, painful sex from genito-pelvic pain penetration disorder (vaginismus and dyspareunia) or from endometriosis. Other sexual concerns Jess can assist with include erectile dysfunction or rapid ejaculation. Furthermore when it comes to relationships, Jess can help with mis-matched libidos. A mis-matched libido is where one partner desires sex more than the other partner/s.
Jess has previously worked in clinical mental health settings. Particularly she has extensive experience working with adults and young people. As well as people living with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and experiencing psychosis. Jess has experience in working with problematic sexual behaviours and out-of-control sexual behaviours, like porn and sex addiction.She has also previously been a senior clinician in forensic metal health settings.
Jess completed her Advanced Masters in Science in Medicine in the Postgraduate Program in Sexual and Reproductive Health at the University of Sydney. Her thesis explored the education and training needs of psychiatric registrars in sexual wellbeing. She completed honours in her Masters of Occupational Therapy at the University of Queensland and studied biomedical sciences in her Bachelor of Science.
Therapeutic Frameworks Used
Jess always tailors therapy to the needs of the client. She draws on an evidence-based approach to her counselling using an integrated and holistic therapeutic framework. Jess applies acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing technique (MI) and Gottmans Method to relationship therapy. Additionally, Jess has advanced training in forensic cognitive-behavioural therapy.
Through therapy, Jessica Gunawan assists clients to identify and understand their needs, goals and strength in a collaborative and open way. She aims to bring comfort to the therapeutic experience and offers transparency, humour and humility to the journey.
