Julie Labanz (DiNuoscio)
Most people ask me why sex therapy? I grew up in Cincinnati, a town that is known for being rather conservative. I have witnessed friends, family, and strangers experience shame, pain, embarrassment, and more because of the taboo stigma that accompanies sex. No matter what part of the United States you might find yourself in, people are still struggling to talk about this beautiful and life-giving (literally!) act.
As a Certified Sex Therapist, I am passionate about helping break down the walls of discomfort and shame and working to open people up to talking about sex and issues around sexual health. I believe that education can bring about great change and I would love to see people stop settling for mediocre and step into the fullness of their own potential.
It is clear to me that educating others about their bodies decreases shame and opens up conversations around self-love, consent, and healthy boundaries.
I have so many friends tell me I’m the first person to teach them what a clitoris is, or that it’s normal for sex to not last for hours like in porn, or that sex isn’t supposed to hurt… ever! My hope is that by providing a safe space for people to begin having discussions about sex, we can slowly see change to where people are comfortable with their sexuality and they are empowered to make healthy choices for themselves and their bodies, based on empirically supported research.
For me, this includes bringing sex positivity into all of the work that I do. I am affirming of kinky, LGBTQIA+, and polyamorous/CNM relationships. My motto is to never yuck someone's yum - what works for one person or relationship may not be true for another. I am here to help guide you through exploring whatever grey spaces you might find yourself in.
In addition to my sex positive approach, I also have training that influences the path that I take to help clients through their healing. I graduated from Miami University in 2015 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and received my Master of Arts in Counseling in 2017 from Cincinnati Christian University While I consider myself a secular therapist, if faith is important to you, I am happy to incorporate it into our time together; however, it is not a requirement for working with me. As someone who considers themselves a purity culture dropout, I find that I can hold space for many different perspectives. Whatever your background, you are welcome in my space.
Some areas of specialized focus (for all adults 18+):
- Affairs/infidelity
- BDSM
- Communication
- Consensual Non-Monogamy/Ethical Non-Monogamy/Polyamory
- Desire Discrepancy
- Erectile issues
- Fetishes
- Gender identity
- Kink
- LGBTQIA+ relationships
- Low libido
- Men's sexual health
- Menopause/sexuality & aging
- Painful sex
- Performance anxiety
- Pleasure enhancement
- Pornography issues
- Premature ejaculation
- Problematic sexual behavior/sex addiction
- Purity culture
- Rekindling desire
- Sexual anxiety
- Sexual trauma
- Sexual identity/orientation
- Trans-affirming
- Vaginismus/vaginal pain
- Women's pelvic pain and sexual health
This list is not comprehensive but representative of the types of concerns I often work with.
Education & Qualifications
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Ohio: #E.2102378-SUPV
- Licensed Professional Counselor in Kentucky: #272502
- Florida Out-of-State Telehealth Provider: #5212
- Certified Sex Therapist through The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists
- Master of Arts in Counseling - Cincinnati Christian University (while I do not incorporate faith into counseling by default, I am able to provide faith-based counseling upon request)
- Gottman level 1 training
- EMDR informed
- Havening informed
- PREPARE/ENRICH certified
- DBT trained
Publications
- Psych Today, Overcoming Cultural Taboos Around Sexuality
- CityBeat, Cincinnati Sex Therapist Julie Labanz Shares Ways to Embrace Your Sexuality This Valentine's Day (and Beyond)
- ShoutOut Ohio, Meet Julie Labanz | Certified Sex Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
- Podcast, Life Coaching Goddess: Experiencing Your Sexuality (Apple Podcasts, Spotify)
- Canvas Rebel, Meet Julie Labanz | Appreciating what your parents did right
Find my licensing information for Ohio at the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board; for Kentucky at the Kentucky Department of Professional Licensing; and for Florida, the Florida Department of Health.
