Today's episode is one I've been looking forward to for a long time. We're diving into a topic that doesn't get talked about nearly enough in our field—men's mental health—and why so many traditional therapy approaches miss the mark when it comes to helping men heal.

My guest is Marc Azoulay, LPC, LAC, CGP, ACS—the founder of Men's Therapy Online and host of The Men's Therapy Podcast. Marc brings a powerful blend of psychoanalysis, neuroscience, and Buddhism to his work, and he's built an incredible community that helps men get real, get connected, and get results.

In this conversation, we're breaking down what it actually takes to build trust and respect with male clients, why "safety" isn't always the right starting point, and how we as therapists can better support men in becoming the best versions of themselves.

Marc also shares some fantastic insights on private practice growth, niching boldly, and finding your authentic voice as a clinician. This one's packed with wisdom and heart—so stay tuned, you're really going to enjoy it.

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Read the show notes here

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Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free

Consulting with Gordon

The PsychCraft Network

Profit First for Therapists Workbook

Meet Marc Azoulay LPC, LAC, CGP, ACS

Marc Azoulay, LPC, LAC, CGP, ACS, is the founder of Men's Therapy Online, a community and healing hub for men who want to get back on their feet or take their lives to the next level. With the help of his team of licensed clinicians, he provides ongoing men's groups, individual counseling, and powerful wilderness retreats for members.

With a background in psychoanalysis, neuroscience, and Buddhism, Marc helps men uncover and destroy the unconscious barriers that hold them back. His mission is to help men become the best versions of themselves and truly show up for their lives, relationships, and communities.

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​​In today's episode, I am sitting down with Darshana Avila for a truly fascinating and important conversation about the intersection of sexuality, somatic work, and trauma healing.

As therapists, we often talk about the mind and body connection, but many of us shy away from exploring how that connection relates to our clients' sexuality, intimacy, and sense of pleasure. Darshana brings a deeply trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approach to this work, helping clients reconnect with their bodies, navigate consent, and move beyond shame into embodied wholeness.

In our discussion, we explore what sexological bodywork actually looks like, how it differs from traditional sex therapy, and why somatic awareness is essential for both healing trauma and deepening intimacy. We also touch on how therapists can hold space for these conversations within private practice and why it is so important to bring curiosity, consent, and compassion to this part of the human experience.

This is one of those episodes that might stretch your perspective a bit, and that is a good thing. I am so grateful to Darshana for sharing her wisdom, and I think you will walk away with a richer understanding of how to support your clients and yourself in a more embodied and holistic way.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• How Darshana's personal journey led her to somatic and erotic healing work
• The difference between sexological bodywork and traditional sex therapy
• Why somatic awareness is essential for trauma healing and intimacy
• What it means to truly "come home to your body"
• How consent goes beyond just saying yes or no
• The role of the nervous system in safety, pleasure, and connection
• How therapists can introduce somatic principles in private practice
• Understanding erotic wholeness and how it expands our idea of healing
• The impact of shame and cultural conditioning around sexuality
• Why pleasure and safety are part of the same healing process

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Watch on YouTube

Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free

Consulting with Gordon

The PsychCraft Network

Profit First for Therapists Workbook

Meet Darshana Avila

Darshana Avila is a trauma-informed somatic sex & intimacy practitioner (SEP, CSB) who guides people through embodied journeys of erotic wholeness. Her work blends nervous-system regulation, somatic awareness, consent-fluency, and relational liberation. Featured on Sex, Love & Goop (Netflix), she supports women, non-binary folks, and couples in reclaiming pleasure, voice, and connection.

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Well, y'all are in for a treat today. My guest, Dr. Jason Branch, brings some serious fire and fresh perspective to this conversation. He's been in the counseling world for over two decades, as a clinician, educator, and entrepreneur, and what I love most about him is how real he gets about the struggles we all face in private practice: imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and finding the courage to just keep showing up.

Jason has an incredible way of using analogies that stick: salamanders, gators, and what he calls being D.U.N. - doing things that are different, uncomfortable, and new. It's all about stepping into growth, setting healthy boundaries, and remembering that we're not impostors... we're learners.

So if you've ever doubted yourself or wondered whether you belong in the room, this episode is going to challenge and inspire you. Let's dive into this conversation with Dr. Jason Branch.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Understanding imposter syndrome in private practice
• The "Salamander vs. Gator" analogy for growth and boundaries
• How vulnerability helps us become better therapists and leaders
• Being D.U.N.—Different, Uncomfortable, and New
• Overcoming perfectionism and impatience
• The power of consistency, curiosity, and celebration
• Embracing authenticity and confidence in your private practice journey

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Read the show notes here

Watch on YouTube

Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free

Consulting with Gordon

The PsychCraft Network

Profit First for Therapists Workbook

Meet Dr. Jason Branch

Dr. Jason Branch brings over two decades of expertise in the mental health and counseling profession, transforming lives and advancing the field through his work in higher education, community mental health, city government, corporate settings, and substance abuse treatment facilities.

As the Founder and CEO of J. Branch and Associates, a dynamic virtual clinical group practice, Dr. Branch leads a team dedicated to providing high-quality therapy services to adults, couples, and families across Georgia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

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