Get to Know Sean

I’m Sean Orpen, a licensed marriage and family therapist and AASECT-certified sex therapist based in Seattle. I specialize in working with individuals and couples who are ready to explore intimacy, connection, identity, and personal growth through a sex-positive, trauma-informed lens. My work is grounded in both lived experience and evidence-based practice.

Why Seattle Turns to Me

Clients seek me out not only for my credentials but for how I show up in the room. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, exploring non-monogamy, healing from trauma, or wanting deeper intimacy, my approach is affirming, honest, and centered on your agency. I work relationally, believing that healing happens in the context of connection—not perfection.

Credentials & Evidence-Based Approach

I hold advanced certification in sex therapy through AASECT and am a Washington State-approved supervisor for LMFTs and therapists in sex therapy training. My foundation is in evidence-based practice—not just because it’s effective, but because it respects your time, your story, and your goals.

Earlier in my career, I worked closely with the Gottmans at the Relationship Research Institute. That experience shaped not just my technical knowledge of couples dynamics and interventions—it rooted me in the importance of asking real questions, letting data inform care, and respecting the complexity of relationship systems. I continue to carry a research orientation in my work today: curious, systemic, and always open to what the evidence—and each unique person—reveals.

My ongoing training draws from Gottman Method, narrative therapy, systems theory, attachment science, and relational-cultural frameworks. I also consult regularly with a trusted network of clinicians and supervisors to ensure that my work stays ethical, grounded, and alive.

Areas of Focus

• Sex therapy for individuals and couples
• Healing from shame, anxiety, and religious sexual trauma
• Support for identity exploration and embodiment
• Working with LGBTQ+, polyamorous, and kink-affirming clients
• Communication issues and emotional disconnection
• Anxiety, overwhelm, and life transitions
• Relationship repair after conflict or betrayal
• Boundary setting, differentiation, and self-worth
• Premarital and commitment counseling
• Grief, loss, and adjustment struggles

Personal Background & Values

I was born and raised in British Columbia, surrounded by tall trees, expansive skies, and a culture of quiet resilience. On my mother’s side, I carry Ukrainian roots—rich with a heritage of endurance, family connection, and reverence for story. My father’s side brings a lineage of military service and discipline, values that taught me early on about honor, structure, and responsibility.

That mix—of culture, care, and service—shapes how I show up as a therapist. I bring groundedness and directness, but also softness. I value spaciousness, curiosity, and a deep trust in your innate wisdom. Therapy with me isn’t about fixing—it’s about unfolding, about reconnecting with what’s already within you but perhaps out of reach.

Outside the Room

When I’m not in session, I find joy in nature—hiking the lush trails around Seattle, swimming, or being near trees and open sky. These practices keep me rooted and remind me how essential pleasure and rest are to the work we do in therapy. I also love music, quiet coffee rituals, and time spent in chosen community.

FAQs

• What is AASECT? The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists. Certification indicates rigorous training and supervision in sex therapy.
• Do you work with couples? Yes. I support couples across relational styles, including monogamous, non-monogamous, and polyamorous partnerships.
• What types of issues do people bring? Everything from intimacy blocks, desire discrepancies, anxiety, communication struggles, to identity and embodiment work.
• What does sex-positive mean in your work? It means all consensual expressions of sexuality are welcome, and there’s no one right way to be. You get to define your values and desires—I’m here to support that process, not judge it.
• Do you offer virtual sessions? Yes, I work with clients across Washington state via secure teletherapy. This allows for flexibility and accessibility, especially for those with busy lives or limited local resources.
• Is it okay if I’ve never talked about sex in therapy before? Absolutely. Many people haven’t had safe, affirming spaces to explore sexuality. We’ll move at your pace, with compassion and care.
• Do you integrate cultural, racial, and social identity into your work? Yes. I see every client through the lens of their intersecting identities. I strive to honor and explore how culture, race, gender, and societal context shape your experience and healing.