Ari Lewis, MAPP, MA, EdM, LMHC (he/him)

Education and Training

After 18 months working with families in Arizona, I decided to pursue my passion for positive sexuality at the University of Pennsylvania, where I earned a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) focusing my work on the things that make for a healthy relationship to one’s sexual experiences. I then continued my education at Columbia University, where I earned a Master of Arts (MA) in psychological counseling, a Master of Education (EdM) in mental health counseling, and an advanced certificate focusing my studies on the needs of people in or considering consensual non-monogamy (such as polyamory, open relationships, swinging, etc.) as well as LGBTQQIA+ individuals.

Combining my educational background with an advanced certificate from the Albert Ellis Institute in rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), additional training in sex therapy through the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy, and ongoing training in sex addiction treatment by the Sexuality, Attachment, and Trauma Project, I approach therapy with an integrative lens that combines positive psychology and other cognitive approaches with the more exploratory and relational modes of treatment, such existential and object relations.

You can think of me as a generalist with the above specialties. In addition to working with many issues that are specific to non-monogamy, kink/BDSM, and sexual concerns, I also work with a wide variety of other issues, such as: depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, existential worries, autism, and ADHD. I guide all of my work with a social justice emphasis.

What Sessions Are Like

It’s hard to heal or grow if you don’t feel safe. I am careful in my sessions not to push you farther than you feel ready to go.

I believe you also get so much more out of therapy when you’re actually looking forward to going. I take my work very seriously, but I prefer to take myself a little bit less seriously. Therapy can be cathartic, but it can also be intriguing or—dare I say it—fun and enjoyable. Sometimes you will need to talk and I will listen to you. Sometimes you will want tools and I will share them with you. There will be other times when we will do what I like to call putting the puzzle pieces together (figuratively! I promise you’ll never see a real jig-saw puzzle in my office. I don’t like those very much. 😊).

Fees & Insurance

Although I don’t offer in-network services, I do provide paperwork for out-of-network insurance benefits.

My 55-minute, individual therapy sessions are $300.

Couples therapy sessions are $350.

Triad/throuple therapy sessions are $400.

Quad therapy sessions are $450.

Free Consultations

I believe the most important factor to successful therapy is a good match between you and your therapist—and I can point to the research that demonstrates this! That’s why I offer consultations for free over Zoom, in person, or over the phone. Consultations are usually around 30 minutes. I offer 45-minute consultations for couples and polycules. You can contact me for a free consultation here.