Just a Little About Me
My name is Analise, and I’m a licensed clinical social worker- I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2016 with my Master’s in Social Work, and have been in the field ever since. Prior to becoming a social worker, I was a professional nanny which taught me a lot about how having children impacts parents and their relationships.
There are a variety of educational paths that train therapists; clinical social workers learn about caring for people in their environment with all the circumstances and situations that come with it, not just their brains. I’m trained in the art of meeting people where they are, and partnering with them to figure out how they can reach their goals not as a lofty expert, but as a fellow human. I’m especially excited to work with those who are trying to navigate uncomfortable aspects of their sexuality and relationships- I encourage clients to give me what’s been hard for you to carry, and I’ll do my best to help ease the weight.
In addition to my sex therapy specialization, I greatly enjoy working with people who have lived through abusive relationships, who are or want to be parents, older adults navigating all that comes with aging, and LGBTQIA folks.
Story Behind the Striped Couch Name
In my first role as an employee of a private practice, we started out as fully online while the owners sought out the perfect office space. I sat in my spare bedroom turned virtual therapy room for months, and imaged what my real office would look like, how I would decorate it, and what it would feel like to be in the space. A few months later, I walked into what was to be my office and was stopped in my tracks by the big and bold piece of furniture, pictured above.
Well, I absolutely hated it. I thought it looked heavy and formal and just nothing that I wanted as a defining feature of my therapy room. But, I was not in a position to negotiate a more perfect couch, so I did my best to accept the monstrosity. Not long after, I began warming up to it- my clients often complimented the pattern, it was exceedingly comfortable, and never creaked or felt anything other than sturdy. I grew to love this thing that I originally thought was the WORST.
And the message this couch metaphor represents, of practicing acceptance of even the most unwieldy or unlovable aspects of ourselves, our friends and family, or our history, is the soul of my therapy practice. Thus, I decided my future business would be called Striped Couch, to honor this sentiment and pay homage to my beginnings. I sadly wasn’t able to take the actual couch with me, but I trust that it is bringing comfort to other deserving butts.
Change comes from within — and I’m here to help you activate it.
Chat with me
I offer a free phone call for any prospective client, to answer questions you may have about therapy and tell me a bit of your story to see if we’d be a good fit!