Relationship, sex, and trauma therapist and educator, Missouri, US

“It is my goal to create space for patients’ self-exploration, reflection on relationship needs and patterns, and work toward living the life of satisfaction and pleasure that we all desire.”

Areas of expertise

Trauma
Sexuality
Pleasure
Sexual pleasure
Sex after trauma
Healthy relationships
LGBTQIA+

“Sex-positive sex education decreases harm, reduces shame, emphasizes consent, honors autonomy, includes LGBTQIA+ communities, encourages individuality, affirms choice, centers pleasure, liberates, and saves lives. My role as a sex therapist and educator is to provide education that is sex positive, pleasure-based, affirmative, grounded in science, and centered around justice.”

— Rafaella Smith-Fiallo, MSW, LCSW

Areas of expertise

Trauma
Sexuality
Pleasure
Sexual pleasure
Sex after trauma
Healthy relationships
LGBTQIA+

— Rafaella Smith-Fiallo, MSW, LCSW

Career

Healing Exchange LLC – Owner and psychotherapist, since 2018
Afrosexology LLC – Co-owner and sexuality educator, since 2015
Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis – Member of the advisory committee of the sexual health and education specialization, since 2018
Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis – Academic advisor for the sexual health and education specialization, 2017–2020
Certified clinical trauma professional and sexuality educator

Education

Washington University in St. Louis – Master’s degree in social work and mental health
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University – Bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in Spanish

Academic memberships

Member of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists; Association of Black Sexologists and Clinicians; International Association of Trauma Professionals; and National Association of Social Workers

Appearances and publications in other media

The New York Times,

30 Sep 2022

How Long Does It Take to Fix a Marriage? Give the Gottmans 7 Days

The New York Times,

01 Jul 2022

Are We Still Monogamous?

The Washington Post,

01 Jun 2022

When Monogamy Isn’t One Size Fits All

The Knot,

02 May 2022