A Jenkintown practice is taking a different approach to therapy. “Surrogate partners” combine talk therapy with touch to help clients overcome anxieties and trauma when it comes to physical intimacy.

This type of therapy originated in the 1960s, and the Surrogate Partner Collective was introduced to the public in 1970, writes Gina Cherelus for The New York Times.  

Nicole Ananda runs Ananda Integrative Healing Group, which is part of the collective. She has a lot of myths to dispel about her practice. The 48-year-old therapist says it’s not all about sex.  

“Even though we center on someone’s sexuality and their lack of sexual energy, it really is all about relationships and helping people connect with themselves,” she tells The New York Times. 

Her practice is therapists and surrogate partners who help patients dealing with sexual trauma or body image problems. Ananda says that only 5 to 10 percent of cases involve actual sexual acts.  

“If any kind of sexual contact is included in the work, it’s done after months of other types of work with a licensed therapist overseeing it,” she said. 

Read more about the practice in The New York Times.  

More about Ananda Integrative Healing Group.