Hi, I’m Kypris, and I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). I earned a Master’s degree in Biochemistry (1990) at UC Irvine, and a second Master’s in Counseling Psychology (1999) at National University. After my first MS degree, I worked for many years as a scientist and technical writer. The perspective that I bring to all of my client work is evidence-based and strives to keep abreast of new research in the fields of psychology, biology, neuroscience, and genetics as it emerges. At the same time, my approach is always emotionally focused and uses guided meditation and mindfulness to manage the emotions you are feeling.
I identify as poly, bisexual, and gender fluid, and was raised by a village that included a Grandmother, 2 Aunties, a heteronormative Mother, and 2 Gay Dads. As a result my practice focuses heavily on work with the queer community, but I also work with straight and monogamous people.
I was raised Christian in the Bible Belt, but since coming to California 42 years ago, have spent many years training in and teaching mindfulness, shamanism, sexuality, and tantra. Most of my Sexuality Therapy training derives from a combination of tantra and the Sexual Medicine Unit at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego. In addition I have completed all required training for certification in Emotionally Focused Couples therapy and am currently completing level II EFT trauma therapy training.
I originally created the Six Gateways practices at the request of my first sex and intimacy clients in 2005 as a way for couples to practice sexual mindfulness (AKA Tantra) together on their own. Subsequently I created an additional set of solo mindfulness practices for my clients who were not partnered. In my therapy practice, these are tools that we can use together to help you learn emotional regulation, insight, and integration, as well as a valuable assist in trauma-informed healing.
Each Six Gateways practice can be done alone as a guided mindfulness meditation or together with a partner as an intimate couples mindfulness practice. For those interested in a spiritual adjunct to therapy, the practices can be done as a form of shamanism practice for healing and personal growth. As time has moved on and I have learned from my clients, I have added a variety of practices for each Gateway, some to be done solo, others to be done with a partner.
These practices were taught to me by my Wiccan, Druidic, Native American, Shamanism, and Tantra teachers. Over time, the practices evolved into a set of guiding principles for life and relationship. The information below is only an introduction–for more detailed guidance you can go to my self-help shamanism books or work with me in a therapy session.
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