Dr. Manny Fernandez

• Clinical Sexologist
• Sex Educator
• Sex Expert
• Sex Therapist
• BDSM
• Counselor
• Polyamory
• Sexuality Advocate

Biography, Degrees and Certifications:

From a young age, early readings in human sexuality education have allowed me to invest my time educating friends and informing them about how important it is to understand sexual behaviors and desires as a crucial component to understand sexual and emotional growth. Growing up in Peru, I come from a culture where machismo takes over the beauty of being open to sexual awareness and expression. It indulges the idea that for men sex is purely a physiological need. At the same time, this idea also suggests that women are there to only satisfy men often times to the detriment of their own sexual awareness. Boys grow up thinking it’s okay to masturbate and have sex while girls are told not to masturbate and have sex only when they get married. This type of mentality was inconsistent with my readings and definitely became contradictory as I started having my own sexual experiences and furthering my education. Furthermore, it was during my human sexuality studies that my hypothesis that the “physiological need” was perhaps more important for women than for men.

Since I finished my undergraduate studies in human sexuality, educating people about sexual awareness and expression has been a rewarding experience. As an educator, it is crucial for me to show men how machismo has the potential to interfere in any sexual relationship and can actually contribute to several sexual problems that may already exist. At the same time, I educate women about the importance of sexual awareness and expression. In doing so, this allows them to let go of the sexual oppression instilled by society, which I believe is fundamental in sexual health.

In my clinical practice I found education as an important component to expand my understanding of the human mind and behavior in order to provide better care and treatment. My areas of expertise include the treatment and management of chronic conditions and chronic pain. The inclusion of integrated approaches is important for the remission of symptoms, and overall healing. As a psychopharmacologist, I believe it is important to understand how medications work in the brain and the body and in turn, how the body and mind react to them. In my practice, I am committed to working not only on acute conditions, but also in the prevention of illness for a better overall mental and sexual health. I follow a motto that says: “The power to prescribe is the power to un-prescribe;” especially in a society where medications are causing a large percentage of the sexual problems out there.

Education

Post-Doctoral Masters of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Teaneck, New Jersey

Master Psychopharmacologist
Neuroscience Education Institute
Carlsbad, California

Doctor of Psychology
California School of Professional Psychology,
Alliant International University
San Francisco, California

Masters in Clinical Psychology
California School of Professional Psychology
Alliant International University
San Francisco, California

Bachelors in Psychology and Human Sexuality
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

Clinical Hypnotherapist
The Association for Integrated Psychology
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Professional Philosophy:

I’ve been a student of the brain, body, and mind. Understanding the cause and effect of how a condition affects either one of these domains is crucial in understanding the treatment. I follow a non-traditional style. My goal is to provide better understanding to my clients about how conditions can be treated without attaching any stigma to them, remembering that behind any condition lies an important person.

In my clinical trajectory, I have treated several patients with sexual disorders and currently get referrals to treat women who are having problems with libido and\or are suffering from dyspareunia, vaginismus, and anorgasmia. As a therapist, addressing sexuality is important in the development of relationships and this is a common practice of mine when seeing couples as well. In addition, I use hypnosis to help my patients work through their sexual issues.

My goal for patients is to better connect with their inner sexual being and free themselves to explore their sexual interests, whether that’s exploring BDSM practices and behaviors and/or enhancing sexual confidence to allow them to freely express their sexuality. To say my methods are unconventional would be the understatement of the year. However, being the professional, I welcome debriefing and encourage it because I am here to help educate clients on the positive experiences and healing qualities of sexuality and sexual pleasure.

Range of Services/Programs Offered:

Therapy, Coaching, Education, Individual, Couples

Areas of Specialization:

Sexual Health
Sexual Disorders
Sex Education
Sexual Problems
Chronic Conditions
Pain
Hypnotherapy for sexual enhancement and pleasure

Primary Audiences Served:

Open to anyone

Office Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 9am – 7pm PST
Saturdays 9am – 4pm PST
Closed Wednesdays and Sundays

Skype ID: Dr. Manuel Fernandez