HERPES COMMUNITY partners directory
Here is where you’ll find our reliable service partners, such as therapists, coaches, and workshop facilitators.
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Drew rabidoux
LCSW: Empowering Women Navigating Herpes
Drew Rabidoux, a committed Licensed Clinical Social Worker, specializes in assisting women through the significant upheavals of life, particularly when facing a Herpes diagnosis. Licensed in four states (NY, TX, CT, and WI), she has spent more than half of her life dedicated to the STI field. Her background ranges from hospital-based HIV/AIDS programs to providing STI education with the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic. Fluent in Spanish, Drew offers a wealth of experience and empathy to her clients. She is notably skilled in EMDR and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, enhancing her ability to support women through their challenges. Drew extends her expertise beyond therapy by creating online courses and blogging about Herpes, available to those who seek her wisdom virtually and in person.
In Rochester, NY, Drew has established a unique 12-week support group for women coping with new or recent Herpes diagnoses. This hybrid group offers the flexibility of virtual or in-person attendance, catering to diverse needs. It serves as a psychoeducational forum rather than a therapeutic one, focusing on the daily realities of living with Herpes, managing emotions, and navigating personal disclosures. The group aims to foster an environment of understanding and non-judgment, encouraging open discussions and the potential for lasting connections beyond the program.
The benefits of joining this group extend beyond mere support; it's an opportunity for women to find solidarity and guidance in a community that empathizes with their situation. The meetings are scheduled for Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:30 PM EST, with a total of 12 sessions priced at $50 each. This group stands out as a beacon for women in Rochester seeking in-person interaction and for those elsewhere looking for virtual support. Drew Rabidoux is not just offering a support group; she is offering a chance to transform a diagnosis into a journey of empowerment and understanding.
Nikita fernandes
Sex Therapist, psychotherapist
Nikita Fernandes (she/her) is an immigrant South Asian cisgender queer woman who has genital HSV1. She is a Sex Therapist and Psychotherapist located in New York City and graduated from New York University with a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling and a dual degree in LGBTQ Health Services, Education, and Social Services.
Nikita's multifaceted identity as a queer, poly, kinky Indian woman significantly influences her therapy practice. Her deep grasp of Sexual and Gender Minority & Feminist theory enables her to provide culturally sensitive, neurodivergent, and gender-affirming support. In her approach, Nikita prioritizes fostering self-compassion in the face of systemic oppression, rather than just numbing pain. Rooted in evidence-based techniques, her methods acknowledge the impact of trauma and embrace diverse cultural perspectives.
Nikita hopes to cultivate a secure environment, allowing clients to rehearse for life outside therapy. In her free time, Nikita creates wellness programs for a Non-Monogamous organization and puts on workshops for sex-positive spaces around New York City. She has been featured in HuffPost, Feeld, Cosmopolitan, and numerous podcasts.
Belize Spivey
STD Life Coach
Belize Spivey is known as the STD Life Coach™️. She has helped millions of men and women living with herpes simplex virus, offering them extensive education, psychological support, practical steps to overcome the stigma, and natural outbreak products. In August 2015, she started STD Life Coaching on social media after living with genital herpes simplex for over 5 years. Ms. Spivey's goal was to help individuals living with the virus see they are not alone and become more educated about their status. Ms. Spivey wrote a book called Overcoming What Can't be Cured: Living Beyond Herpes to share her personal story as well. The business has grown into a feature in Essence magazine, 2.5k private online support groups for women, the largest YouTube channel, hundreds of 1-on-1 sessions, annual events, and the first black-owned six-figure Herpes product line, Vanquish Care, which was launched in September 2019 from a need in the herpes community for instant relief from herpes outbreak symptoms. Ms. Spivey shared her product recipes with the community, received impactful feedback, and went on to grow Vaquish Care to a six-figure business in two years — making a huge impact in the herpes community.
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