Julia Schafermeyer (she/they), a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, has operated her counseling business since 2011. She’s an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist; Certified in EMDR therapy (for trauma); and a ketamine-assisted psychotherapist trained through the Integrative Psychiatry Institute. Julia taught Theory and Methods of Sexual Therapy at the University of Missouri-Kansas City for 10 years and, on occasion, Ethics and Practicum courses. She coordinated trainings as a volunteer for the KC Queer Affirming Therapist Guild for 7 years, facilitating events for other local therapists. Before that, she worked at a domestic violence shelter for 5 years, providing individual and group therapy and crisis intervention. She also worked in career services, providing assistance in finding good career fit. Julia began her counseling training after witnessing a great need for therapy services when working as a paralegal.
Julia is a bicycle & bus commuter by choice. For fun she studies herbal medicine (no advice given to counseling clients) and writes & performs sketch comedy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why did you become a sex therapist?
A couple years into my career, I was a general therapist, enthusiastic yet unspecialized. Out of the blue, a previous professor emailed me and asked if I’d be interested in adjunct teaching at my old grad school. I had taken her Theories and Methods of Sex Therapy class as a student a few years prior. Of course I said “yes” and started studying everything I could in the sex therapy field. The responsibility of teaching gave me energy and focus. Becoming an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist was financially difficult–this certification is known as one of the most time and money-intensive certifications, especially at that time before online learning was common. However, I’ve learned a million things along the way.
Have you done ketamine yourself?
Yes, I’ve taken ketamine a total of 10 times (over several years). I don’t have a current prescription or ongoing use. My training program encouraged us to have at least one experience with Ketamine-Assisted Therapy to get acquainted with the medication and KAP process on a deep level.
