About Amy Furuyama, LCSW, CST

Be aligned with who you are- inside and out.

Hi! I’m Amy, a Korean-American AASECT certified sex therapist in Irvine, California helping individuals feeling disconnected with their sexuality learn to reduce shame and increase sexual confidence.

Growing up in the Korean community, sex was a topic that was rarely talked about, and in the communities I was in, sex talk focused mostly on procreation and the dangers of disease; there were no discussions of body autonomy, consent, and enjoyment of pleasure.

To me, my work as a sex therapist is a form of resistance—it involves helping clients dismantle harmful beliefs and develop healthier, more positive narratives around their sexuality. With 15 years of experience as a social worker, I am passionate about helping people befriend all parts of themselves with compassion. I regularly spend my time and resources in reading books, listening to podcasts and attend trainings to gain knowledge to best serve my clients.

In my free time, I love spending time with my spouse and child, running, listening to R&B, visiting cute coffeeshops and reading.

Shame loses power when it is spoken.

-Brene Brown

How I work:

Let’s start this journey of self-acceptance.

I work with individuals who are looking to gain more insight about themselves about how they came to view their sexuality as it shows up in the present. I work best with clients who are curious and motivated to improve their relationship with their sexuality and address sexual challenges. I am sex-positive, nonjudgmental, affirming of all sexual orientations, gender identities and relationship configurations.

Sex therapy begins with a comprehensive assessment of your life experiences, sexual history, and discussion of how some issues are affecting you now. We will find your areas of focus you’d like to work on, and work collaboratively to help you find solutions. Common issues addressed in therapy: low libido, sexual trauma, orgasm difficulties, performance issues, struggles with sexual communication and improving sexual functioning.

I utilize modalities of Internal Family Systems, Brainspotting, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, Somatic Work, and Sensate Focus.

Specializing in…

Brainspotting

01

Sex Therapy

02

Individual and Couples Therapy for Relationship Issues

03 My Training & Education

- Licensed in the State of California LCSW # 75216
- Masters of Social Welfare from University of California- Los Angeles
- Bachelor of Sciences in Sociology and English (Creative Writing) from University of Southern California
- Certified AASECT (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists) Sex Therapist
- Sex Therapy Certificate from California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS)
- Level One Trained- Internal Family Systems Institute
- Brainspotting Phase One Training and Phase Two Training (BIPOC)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Training
- Completed Level One training for Gottman Method Couples Therapy
- Completed Emotionally Focused (Couples) Therapy Externship Training (ICEEFT)
- Domestic Violence Training Certificate- Orange County Family Justice Center Foundation
- The Flash Technique Training
- Clinical Supervisor - Board Of Behavioral Sciences
- Masters of Social Work Field Instructor
- Member of American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT)
- Member of ICEEFT (International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy)