Apply for a free Intimacy Breakthrough Call to learn about Heather’s Pathway to Passion coaching method. https://heathershannon.co/new-clients/
Mindfulness, Presence & Pleasure: A Conversation with Naomi Rawitz
In this episode, Heather is joined by fellow AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist and Sexuality Educator Naomi Rawitz, LCSW, CST, CSE, for a warm, honest, and deeply insightful conversation around the role of mindfulness in sex.
Naomi opens up about her journey into sex therapy, how her upbringing shaped her perspective, and why our culture makes it so difficult to stay present in our bodies. Together, they explore the real reasons we get distracted during sex, how internal “parts” (à la Internal Family Systems therapy) can hijack our pleasure, and why mindfulness doesn’t mean you have to “clear your mind.”
Whether you’ve ever felt pressured to perform, overwhelmed with distractions, or just curious about how to deepen your connection to yourself or a partner—this episode offers practical tools, validating insights, and a ton of “aha” moments.
00:00 Welcome & Intro to Naomi
02:00 Naomi’s Path to Becoming a Sex Therapist
04:00 Growing Up with Open Sex Education
05:00 Presence, Distraction & the Sexual Mindset
09:00 How Mindfulness Actually Works (It’s Not “Clearing Your Mind”)
12:00 Communicating with Your Partner About Where You're At
14:00 Mindfulness, Emotional Intimacy & Data Points
17:00 What is Internal Family Systems (IFS)?
19:00 Common Parts That Show Up During Sex
23:00 Productivity, Energy, and “Sex as a To-Do”
26:00 Reconnecting with Play & Joy (Yes, Improv Counts!)
30:00 Expanding Definitions of Sexual Touch
33:00 The Pressure to “Go All the Way”
34:00 How Stories and Anticipation Impact Desire
38:00 Polyvagal Theory & Shifting Nervous System States
41:00 Creating Space to Explore Without Judgment
43:00 Where to Find Naomi
WORK WITH HEATHER
Apply for a free Intimacy Breakthrough Call to learn about Heather’s Pathway to Passion coaching method. https://heathershannon.co/new-clients/
LET’S CONNECT! Find warmth HERE ⤵️:
Heather’s Website: https://HeatherShannon.co
Heather’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/AskASexTherapist
Heather’s YouTube: Check out the video version of this podcast & more! - https://www.youtube.com/@AskASexCoach
Heather’s Pathway to Passion: https://heather-shannon.mykajabi.com/pathway
Heather’s Courses: https://heather-shannon.mykajabi.com/store
Heather’s Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/heathershannonlcpc
Connect with Naomi Rawitz
naomi@rawitzcounseling.com
Learn more: https://www.rawitzcounseling.com
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