Surrogate Partner Therapy · San Francisco Bay Area

Touch teacheswhat words cannot.

Structured, supervised intimacy work, held within the IPSA triadic model and in close collaboration with your licensed therapist. The pace is yours.

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The Work

The self, folding and unfolding, into the capacity to be close.

The Modality

What is Surrogate Partner Therapy?

A structured, evidence-informed modality for adults working, slowly and with care, through barriers to intimacy, connection, and sexual wellness. The work is experiential: a trained surrogate partner guides the client through progressive exercises, communication practice, sensate focus, touch desensitization, relational skill-building, so new capacities take hold in real time rather than only in conversation.

SPT is never practiced alone. It lives within the triadic model: client, surrogate partner, and licensed supervising therapist, working together throughout.

The Structure

The Triadic Model

Client, surrogate partner, and licensed supervising therapist. One structure, held throughout, with no exceptions.

The Process

How it works.

01

Inquiry

You or your referring therapist make first contact through this site or by email.

02

Screening

A brief call explores your situation and confirms basic fit. No commitment yet.

03

Therapist Match

Your supervising therapist is identified or confirmed. No SPT work begins without that relationship in place.

04

Triadic Intake & Goals

Client, surrogate, and therapist meet to set shared understanding and the direction the work will take.

05

Sessions & a Considered Close

The experiential work at the pace you set, ending with a closing held alongside your therapist, back to clinical care.

For Referring Therapists

A trusted collaborator in your clinical work.

My Pleasure Therapy partners with licensed therapists who recognize the limits of talk-only modalities for certain client presentations. The triadic model is built around your clinical leadership; the experiential work supports, never replaces, the frame you hold. You retain clinical responsibility, and our scope of practice is strictly IPSA-defined.

i.

Initial Contact

Submit the referral below or reach out directly. You will receive a response within two business days.

ii.

Collaboration Call

A brief call to discuss the client, your clinical questions, and the proposed structure.

iii.

Client Consent

Following your client's informed consent, the triadic intake meeting is scheduled.

iv.

Ongoing Coordination

Regular case consultation throughout, with shared documentation and clear protocols.

Therapist Referral Form

For licensed therapists initiating a referral. All submissions are reviewed personally.

Thank you. Your referral has been received. You will hear back within two business days.

Common Questions

Frequently asked.

Is SPT legal?

Surrogate Partner Therapy is a legitimate therapeutic modality practiced in the United States and internationally. It is distinct from sex work and is governed by professional ethical standards through organizations such as IPSA and AASECT. My Pleasure Therapy operates fully within these frameworks and in alignment with applicable California professional standards.

Who is a good candidate for SPT?

Adults who experience meaningful barriers to intimacy: social anxiety affecting closeness, trauma-related avoidance, physical or developmental differences, or significant relational difficulties. Clinical suitability is always assessed by the supervising therapist before any work begins, and the screening process is designed to identify good fit.

Do I need a referring therapist?

Yes. Per IPSA Standard 1, all surrogate partner work occurs within the triadic model, which requires an active, licensed supervising therapist. If you don't currently have one, the practice can help you find a supervising therapist as part of the intake process. No surrogate sessions begin until that relationship is confirmed.

How much does SPT cost?

Fees are discussed transparently during the initial screening call and documented in writing before any engagement. SPT is generally not covered by health insurance, and clients are responsible for all fees. A limited number of sliding-scale slots may be available based on demonstrated need; this can be discussed during screening.

Is everything confidential?

Client confidentiality is treated with the highest standard of professional care, in alignment with HIPAA-adjacent best practices. Information is shared only with your supervising therapist, as the triadic model requires. No client identifying information is ever used in marketing or any external context. The specific limits of confidentiality are explained in detail before any work begins.

How long does the process take?

There is no fixed timeline. The duration is determined by the client's goals, readiness, and the clinical direction set with the supervising therapist. Some engagements span a few months; others continue longer. Progress is reviewed regularly, and any client may pause or withdraw at any time without consequence.

Begin a conversation.

Email
hello@mypleasuretherapy.com
Service Area
San Francisco Bay Area
Response Window
Within 48 business hours

Send a Message

Reaching out is often the hardest part. A short message is enough. Every inquiry is confidential and personally reviewed.

Thank you for reaching out. You will receive a response within 48 hours.