Dr. Shea Graham

Dr. Graham is a licensed psychotherapist currently in private practice in Charlottesville, Virginia. Holding an MS from Columbia University and a BA from the University of Virginia, Dr. Graham achieved a significant milestone in January 2023 by earning a doctorate in clinical sexology. The focus of their dissertation was on identifying, adapting, and integrating clinical reasoning methods into clinical sexology, aiming to enhance the quality of care provided by sex therapists. Dr. Graham's study is groundbreaking, introducing a collection of sexology-informed clinical reasoning principles.

Notably, their research includes the adaptation of the Learning by Concordance (LBC) model from French to English and the development of the first LBC lesson plan approved for sex therapists, utilizing the first graphical model of clinical reasoning validated by Modeling using Typified Objects (MOT). Collaborating with Dr. Bernard Charlin at the Université de Montréal, Dr. Graham is actively involved in ongoing research and co-authoring a paper.

Dr. Graham's dedication to advancing knowledge in their field is evidenced by presentations at prestigious conferences. They shared their research findings at the Black Sexuality and Educators Conference in Montreal in October 2022, followed by presentations at the Society for Sex Therapy and Research and the Society for Personality and Social Psychology in 2023. In 2021, Dr. Graham received a research fellowship from the California Institute of Integral Studies, delving into sexual preferences across sexual orientations.

The founder of Soulful Wellness, a private group practice established in 2018, Dr. Graham oversees field practicum supervision and training for social work graduate students from Fordham University, Arizona State University, Ohio State University, and Tulane University. Beyond academic and professional pursuits, they actively contribute to social justice work, serving on the Board of Directors for Community Investment Collaborative, a nonprofit supporting under-resourced entrepreneurs, especially women and people of color.

Acknowledging their expertise, Dr. Graham became a forensic expert appointed under Virginia Code §19.2-300 in 2023. This designation enables them to serve as an expert witness in court cases involving sexual abuse or rape. Leveraging their extensive career and research experience, Dr. Graham embarked on the creation of a manuscript titled 'Safe and Sound,' a book on body safety for children and families. Unique in the market, this picture book is authored by a subject expert and aims to impart crucial lessons in an age-appropriate manner.

Recognizing the potential impact of 'Safe and Sound,' Dr. Graham seeks representation from a literary agent to expand its reach. With a 14-year career, they have cultivated a modest local following on Instagram and maintain a mailing list of 5k people. While an expert in mental health, Dr. Graham acknowledges the need for expertise in publishing to bring their book to a broader audience, emphasizing its potential to save lives and restore families.