Zoe Sipe, MFT

My path to becoming a therapist began from an early age. Born in London, England to a british family that moved around the world during the early part of my life (Iran, Africa) taught me the importance of cultural relativity and what it is like to often be the outsider. Our family immigrated to the United States when I was in the second grade, and ultimately settled in Fairbanks, Alaska where I graduated from high school. Even then, I saw the beginnings of yearning to emotionally connect with myself and others more deeply, but without the tools to do so. I took my first transformational course the year after I graduated from college, and my emotional life opened up completely. This set me on the path of relational, emotional, and spiritual discovery which has shaped my life more than any other context. 

A few years later, I attended the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City, where I learned how to counsel others in eating better, and how food, nutrition, movement, and spirituality dramatically impacts our experience of life.

As I gained more experience as a holistic health counselor, I realized I wanted to further my training to become a therapist, and moved back to the west coast to attend the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco in 2005. As a therapist, I have worked in a variety of settings: schools, community clinics, and private practice. I hold the highest certification standard for sex therapists, undergoing the rigorous training to become a nationally certified Sex Therapist & Supervisor through AASECT (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists). Since 2017, I have been the Program Lead and Instructor at the California Institute of Integral Studies Sex Therapy Certificate Program. This program trains therapists and allied professionals in providing competent and embodied sex therapy.

From my perspective, holding the role of a therapist and supporting others to live their most authentic lives is a profound privilege. I consider myself a fellow traveler on this path.