About Amy Marsh, Ed.D., DHS, CH, CI
Dr. Marsh is a clinical sexologist, AASECT-certified sexuality counselor, certified hypnotist and hypnosis instructor who has worked in the field of human sexuality since 2008.
Dr. Marsh’s private practice is eclectic: combining sexuality counseling with hypnosis, guided imagery, adult sex education, sand tray play, and attention to social justice activism and community wellness. Though online only, Dr. Marsh’s “office” is a “no-shame zone.” You are invited to share in an atmosphere of warmth, humor, and “unconditional postitive regard” (quote from Carl Rogers).
As a sexologist, Dr. Marsh has special interests in erotic hypnosis, spectro-sexuality, objectum sexuality, LGBTQIA++ rights, “sacred sexualities,” and more. Ze teaches professional, online courses in Hypnosis for Sex Problems at zir Intimate Hypnosis Training Center.
Creative, Multi-Faceted, and Far Beyond the Mainstream
Personally, Dr. Marsh prefers to be known as “Avnas,” zir chosen name. Ze identifies as a nonbinary femme. Currently ze is preparing for publication and release of zir Guild of Ornamental Hermits queer, urban fantasy series (four books so far, see below). In addition, ze has also been an artist, performer, co-founder of a non-profit feminist space activist group, and more.
Marsh has lived with the physical and logistical constraints of multiple chemical sensitivity and environmental illness (EI/MCS) for over the past 30+ years, due to working in a furniture finishing business ze created with zir ex-husband in San Francisco. After becoming ill, ze gave up painting faux finishes at the finishing shop, and instead worked from home as the bookkeeper while raising two children.
Below are some examples of Marsh’s pre-sexology interests.
“The Office Wall”
Professional Memberships
AASECT – American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors & Therapists
ACA – American Counseling Association
CARAS – Community-Academic Consortium for Research on Alternative Sexualities.
National Coalition of Sexual Freedom (Listed in Kink Aware Professionals Directory)
National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH) (member and instructor)
Conferences & Presentations
Dr. Marsh has presented at the Pacific Rim International Conference on Disabilities and Diversity (2016, 2009); CatalystCon West (2015); AASECT (2014); Gender Spectrum (2013, 2012, 2010); The EcoSex Symposium (2011); The American Counseling Association Pre-Conference Learning Institutes (2011, 2010); and Gender Odessey (2009).
Dr. Marsh has been a guest lecturer at Mills College (3x), Berkeley City College (4x), and the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (4x). Community presentations include the Janus Society in San Francisco.
Media, Interviews and Podcasts
Dr. Marsh was recently interviewed by Chion Wolf on Audacious on NPR. Listen to Dr. Marsh and co-host M. Christian on the Love’s Outer Limits podcast on Anchor.FM (formerly on BlogTalkRadio).
Major television appearances include Australia’s Channel 7 Sunday Night show, which aired May 18, 2019. Good Morning America and Tyra Banks in 2009, and twice on National Geographic Taboo (2010). More info on this page.
Non-Fiction Publications
Two articles in the Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality: “Le’ale’a o na Poe Kahiko: Joy of the People of Old” (2011) and “Love Among the Objectum Sexuals” (2010). Three entries to The Cultural Encyclopedia of the Penis (ed. Kimmel, Milrod, & Kennedy), and an essay to Transitions of the Heart – Stories of Love, Struggle and Acceptance by Mothers of Transgender and Gender Variant Children (ed. Rachel Pepper). Selections from Marsh’s “Love’s Outer Limits” columns for Carnal Nation (2009-2010) are collected in Sex Squicks.
LGBTQIA+ Urban Fantasy Series
Amy Marsh, Sexologist & Hypnotist 