Donna
Harris-Richards

LICSW, CST

As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Couples and Relationship Therapist, Donna specializes in family systems and couples therapy, helping clients develop and maintain sexual health and relational health for improved mental health, well-being, increased pleasure, passion, joy, and fun. Her professional counseling style includes narrative therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness (MBCT) and evidenced-based practices, earning the reputation of being a highly effective and affable professional, setting clients at ease. With over eighteen years of experience in helping clients with relationships, sexuality, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, trauma, parenting, substance use, illnesses, disability, aging and more, she is eager to meet you and help you reach your goals. Her professional, real-world experience in the arts and business for more than forty years has given her a broad, unique range of experience useful in helping others meet their goals. Donna provides Telehealth online therapy with outcomes that are equally as successful as in-person therapy visits. She is licensed in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Florida.

Donna is also a working musician. She led an eight-piece band from NYC for eighteen years, performing around the globe, and continues to sing and play percussion with her partner of 27 years. Her additional passions include traveling, reading and staying physically active.

Mission Statement

The mission of Sex and Couples Therapy with Certified Sex Therapist Donna Harris-Richards, LICSW, CST is to help individuals, couples and families embrace and integrate intimacy and sex-positive thinking into daily life for optimal health, including sexual health and wellness. We go for annual mammograms, gynecological exams and prostate exams for physical sexual health. We owe ourselves check-ups on the emotional and mental aspects of sexual health for optimal health and wellness.

If you struggle with:

  • ADHD
  • Addiction
  • Alcohol Use
  • Anxiety
  • Behavioral Issues
  • Career or Work
  • Codependency
  • Coping Skills
  • Depression
  • Divorce
  • Erectile Dysfunction (E.D.)
  • Family Conflict
  • Grief
  • Impulse Control
  • Infidelity
  • Life Coaching
  • Life Transitions
  • Low Desire
  • Men’s Issues
  • Menopause
  • Mood Disorders
  • Orgasm Disorder
  • Parenting
  • Polyamory
  • Premature Ejaculation (P.E.)
  • Self-Esteem
  • Sexuality
  • Sexual Dysfunction
  • Sleep or Insomnia
  • Spirituality
  • Stress
  • Substance Use
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Women’s Issues

Credentials

LICSW – LICENSED INDEPENDENT CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER

MA License #: LICSW115538

RI License #: ISW04373

FL License #: SW24454

 

CST – AASECT CERTIFIED SEX THERAPIST

Massachusetts

September 2019

RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE

2003 Graduate, Magna Cum Laude

Master of Social Work (MSW)

 

In Practice since 2003

 

 

Memberships

NASW – National Association of Social Workers

Since 2003

Member Number: 886402425

NEAFAST – NEW ENGLAND  ASSOCIATION FOR FAMILY AND SYSTEMIC THERAPY

Since 2020

Member Number: 415, Clinical Specialist

Alpha Delta Mu – National Social Work Honor Society – Beta Chi Chapter

Since 2003

ISSWSH – INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF WOMEN’S SEXUAL HEALTH

Since 2025

Membership ID: ISSWSH.M.32997

PPC – The private practice colloquium

Since 2025

A Message from Donna

If we want something better, the only way through is through. In order to get to the other side, we must challenge ourselves and our biases. The payoff is well worth it.

The national average for couples to meet their goals in Couples Therapy is 16 sessions. For Sex Therapy, the national average is less.

Commonly, I’m hearing from young people that their parents reject them and who they love if the couple is the same gender or if the individual identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, questioning, or unsure.

That breaks my heart and is highly concerning. The rate of suicidal ideation for the LGBTQ population is nearly at 48% in Massachusetts. Actual suicidal attempts are at 25% vs. 11% in the general population.  That is more than double and those are alarming numbers.

These are among the critical issues addressed in Sex and Couples Therapy. These preventable problems touch us all. Whether we want to admit it or not, sex is political, affecting us all every day, in every way.

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