Maya Gutenkauf

Life is meant to be savored. Yet the demands of life often make that feel easier said than done. As the parent of two adult children, I understand how easily the to-do list, daily routines, major life transitions, and soul-level exhaustion can tank desire, self-image, relationships, and our overall sense of aliveness.

I believe you are the expert on your own life. So my role is to come alongside you with warmth, compassion, encouragement, and, at times, humor. I want therapy to be a place where you can slow down, feel safe, reconnect with yourself, and explore the parts of YOU that may have gotten lost along the way. I value radical self-acceptance, hope, authenticity, and the belief that meaningful change is possible.

My approach is collaborative and strengths-based. I draw from solution-focused and narrative approaches to explore the stories, beliefs, and unspoken expectations that shape our sense of self, relational roles, and sexuality. I also love to use somatic, body-based tools to help you find greater calm and safety in your body and brain, in preparation for the deeper healing work of therapy.

I have a special interest in working with individuals and relational clients navigating neurodivergence, life transitions, religious trauma and sexual shame, and desire discrepancy. Additionally, I enjoy supporting people through major transitions such as marriage, divorce, parenthood, empty nesting, changes in the body, or simply entering a new chapter and wondering, “Who am I now?” In couples and relational work, I help partners navigate differences in desire, communication, and the ways they experience the world. The goal is to help partners better understand each other, feel like they are on the same team, and find their way back to a renewed sense of connection and affection.

At the heart of my work is the belief that sexuality is not separate from the rest of our lives. Our bodies, identities, relationships, histories, values, and life circumstances all shape how we experience and navigate intimacy. I hope to help you approach sex and erotic desire with curiosity, creativity, wonder, and a sense of playfulness. My goal is to help you feel more at home in your sexuality and cultivate deeper connection and pleasure with yourself and your partner(s).

If this feels like your kind of thing, let’s chat more.