About

Welcome! My name is Gayle Shotkin. Thank you for visiting my site. Please see below for more information about my background, and if you have any additional questions please feel free to ask.

I have over 10 years of experience working with mental health issues including:

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Depression, Anxiety & Mood Problems
Effects of Abuse & Trauma

Prenatal and Postnatal issues
Relationship Issues

Anger
Grief and Loss Issues

I also provide sex therapy, and am an AASECT Certifed Sex Therapist. What this means is that I am uniquely trained, and qualified to work with a range of sexual issues, including:

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Sexual Abuse & Trauma
Distress associated with Sexual Desire, Sexual Arousal, & Orgasm
Sexual compulsive behaviors including excessive pornography use and more.
Intimacy and communication problems in Relationships
Gender Identity Issues
Sexual Problems related to Medical Issues

Please visit:  https://www.aasect.org/

My practice is welcoming to all people including:

Individuals, Couples & Families
People Identifying as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Questioning, Transgender, Intersex & More

I practice psychotherapy and specialize in helping clients with issues in individual mental health, relationships, intimacy, sexuality issues, and family dynamics.  Prior to opening up a private practice, I worked in both long term care settings as well as outpatient mental health facilities.  While in the nursing home setting I worked with families as well as older adults dealing with significant grief and loss issues, sexuality concerns, and past histories of trauma.  My work consisted of advocating for one of the most vulnerable populations in society. It was a beautifu,l and fulfilling position that I admired and loved.  Following this position, I worked for an outpatient mental health facility providing individual and couples therapy to people of all ages. This was also a wonderful experience, and it was from there that I decided to pursue private practice.  While in private practice in Kalamazoo, I was an adjunct faculty member at Homer Stryker M.D School of Medicine.  In this position, I lectured medical students as well as faculty members on various sexual health issues. Currently, my practice has moved to the Metro Detroit area and I am happy to be seeing client's in Farmington Hills, Michigan. 

The most important part of the work that I do is create a safe, empowering therapeutic relationship that is based off of empathy, trust, compassion, and mutual respect. 

Therapy is hard work, but I strongly believe that people are resilient and can work towards being their authentic selves. I welcome you to explore this journey together.

I have a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.  Additionally, I am a Certified  Sex Therapy (CST) through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT).