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Alex Akarta headshot
Reclamation Vulnerability Permission

Alex Akarta

Biography

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Alex Akarta is a trauma-informed, transformational kink practitioner, certified through the Integrative Arts Institute. They hold a BFA in psychology from New York University.


They have held numerous events, workshops, and rituals as an independent facilitator, co-organizer of Decent Exposure, a wellness-focused naturist organization, and as an admin and local event organizer for an International School of Temple Arts (ISTA) graduate community. They are rooted in Tantric traditions, sacred- and ecosexuality, as well as esoteric and nondualist metaphysical traditions.


Blending clinical therapy with shamanic practices, sacred eros, and somatic sexology, Alex specializes in themes including:


  • Sacred permission
  • Welcoming + release of fear & shame
  • Growth through vulnerability
  • Healthy relationship with the body
  • Inner aspect & shamanic journeying
  • Erotic reclamation & soul retrieval

Alex is informed by their personal healing journey as a survivor of past trauma and abuse, and places a great deal of emphasis on generating safety and nervous system regulation. They identify as non-binary (agender) and welcome all gender expressions and identities to do powerful healing work in a safer, compassionately-held container, while offering a gentle push into vulnerable realms to support one's growth edges.


 

  • Name

    Alex Akarta (they/he)

  • Age

    44

  • Role

    Switch

  • Location

    New York City

Notable Trainings, Certifications, & Retreats

Alex is certified as a transformational kink practitioner through the Integrative Arts Institute in 2024 and continues to train in the realm of Tantric arts and conscious kink.
They continue to offer this wisdom through facilitated events as well as 1:1 therapeutic sessions. See below for an overview of their experience.

  • Experience

  • 2021 (mini), 2021, 2022

    Touch & Play

    Massachusetts

    Relational bodies retreat

  • 2021 - present

    Decent Exposure

    New York

    Wellness-focused naturist organization

    co-organizer, facilitator (various events) with Kat Stilin-Rooney

  • 2022

    ISTA Level 1

    Ohio

    Spiritual, sexual, shamanic experiencing

    with Laurie Handlers, Briana Cribeyer, Rich Priddis, & Simon Marvell

  • 2022

    Sacred Touch Bodywork

    Texas

    Sacred bodywork

    with Briana Cribeyer & Blake Zealer

  • 2022

    Therapeutic Bodywork

    New York

    Sacred bodywork

    with Priestess Francesca

  • 2023

    ISTA Tribal Gathering 2023

    Florida

    Spiritual, sexual, shamanic experiencing

    with Frank Mondeose

  • 2023

    Shamanic Kink Immersion

    New York

    Shamanic, therapeutic, sacred, & conscious kink

    with Francesca Gentille & Shadi Terra

  • 2023

    Dance Meets Tantra

    New York

    Embodied Tantra

    with Atilla Çidam, Spencer Jacobson, & Briana Cribeyer

  • 2023

    ISTA Level 1 (repeated)

    New York

    Spiritual, sexual, shamanic experiencing

    with Crystal Dawn Morris, Aaron Kleinerman, Javi Martinez, & Usha Rose

  • 2023

    A Weekend to Re/MEN/ber

    New Mexico

    Sacred masculine & men's work

    with Blake Zealear, Jeff Gleason, Aaron Rivera Dominguez, & Jacob Troy

  • 2023

    Tantric Massage Intensive

    New York

    Sacred bodywork

    with Monique Darling, Peter Petersen, and Russell Pappas

  • 2023

    East Coast Tantra Festival

    Massachusetts

    Eastern & Western Tantra

    varied facilitation

  • 2023

    Naked Ecstatic Dance (multiple)

    New York

    Body-affirming clothes-free ecstatic dance

    with varied co-facilitators

  • 2023

    Awakening the Inner Shaman

    Costa Rica

    Training in Core-Shamanism

    with Crystal Dawn Morris

  • 2024

    Yoga Eros

    New York

    Embodied Tantra

    with Dee Yergo, Liz Morris, & Jared Dupree

  • 2024

    Therapeutic Kink Certification Program

    New York

    6 month certification program (therapeutic & shamanic kink, clinical & somatic sexology)

    with Francesca Gentille & Shadi Terra

  • 2024

    Shadow Lab: A Practice of Playful Embodiment

    New York

    Archetype work

    co-facilitator with Clara Rose

  • 2024

    Liberation: Releasing the Past

    New York

    Inner child work & trauma processing

    with Dr. Stacy Ellis

  • 2024

    POWER

    New York

    Power dynamics intensive

    with Andy Buru

  • 2024

    Juicy Attunement: A Slowdown Practice

    New York

    Foundational work in sacred sexuality

    co-facilitator with Clara Rose

  • 2024

    Shamanic Kink Immersion (Certification / Level 2)

    New York

    Shamanic, therapeutic, sacred, & conscious kink

    with Francesca Gentille & Shadi Terra

  • 2024

    ISTA Level 2

    New York

    Spiritual, sexual, shamanic initiation

    with Rex Rafiq, Ashisha, & Liz Morris

  • 2024 - present

    Shame Lab (ongoing series)

    New York

    Two-day psychodrama workshops, sexual fantasy & shame release

    co-facilitator

  • 2024

    Tease, Please, & Denial

    New York

    Kink workshop

    co-facilitator with Clara Rose

  • 2024

    ISTA Tribal Gathering 2024

    New York

    Spiritual, sexual, shamanic experiencing

    with Frank Mondeose, Javi Martinez, & Triambika Ma Vive

  • Upcoming Schedule

  • 2024

    Physical Intimacy 101 for Men

    NYC

    Discussion & Experiential Workshop

    co-facilitator with Hannah Hirsh

  • 2024

    Divine Apprehension: An Exploration of the Sacred Voyeur & Exhibitionist

    NYC

    Sacred kink workshop

    co-facilitator with Clara Rose

  • 2025

    ISTA Living Level 1

    Cyprus

    Spiritual, sexual, shamanic experiencing

    with Crystal Dawn Morris, Jacob Troy, & Clara Gomez Santos

Sessions

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"There is no intimacy without vulnerability. There is no courage without vulnerability. Courage requires the willingness to lean into uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure." - Brené Brown


Why vulnerable living?


So many of us hold a deep desire for greater wholeness, for liberation and freedom from shame, waiting for the permission and guidance to tap into our most essential, ecstatic nature. With the right care, presence, and coaching, that aim can blossom into a way of life, fueled by greater self-love and the ability to stand firmly in our truth.


Alex takes a clinical approach to this work and will advocate for your personal growth through a combination of active discussion, somatic archetypal therapy, integration and aftercare, as well as any other treatment plans or professional referrals that may be in support of your intentions. Modalities and experiences supportive to sessions may include:


  • Parts work / Inner Aspect Method (IAM)
  • Sacred Eros & erotic embodiment
  • Breathwork
  • Self-soothing techniques & nervous system regulation
  • Mirror work
  • Photo therapy
  • Polarity
  • Shadow work
  • Sacred kink / conscious BDSM
  • Somatic practices
  • Inner child work
  • Self-pleasure ritual & technique
  • Erotic fantasy & psychodrama
  • The wheel of consent
  • Non-violent communication
  • Vocal work
  • Ceremony & ritual
  • Sacred witnessing

You will be seen, heard, and met with the ruthless kindness and validation that you deserve. You will go as deep and as far as you are comfortable to remove blocks and explore your innermost desires and vulnerabilities, at the pace that you need.


If you're ready to take a leap, this is an opportunity to remove your masks and meet your authentic self. You are invited to liberate the energy of fear, of shame, of guilt, into the energy of life.


Who I work best with


Those who get the most out of working with me possess:

  • Curiosity, openness, and a desire for radical transformation
  • Capacity to work in vulnerable spaces with cultivated safety for the purposes of personal growth
  • A seeking of expansion to their erotic and/or non-erotic expression
  • Willingness toward being coachable

What to expect


All new clients should expect to complete an intake form and have an initial session to process responses. We will discuss desires, fears, boundaries, and establish safety, trust, & fit. This can be done virtually or in person. Depending on the specific intentions set, subsequent sessions may involve somatic practices and/or scenes that we will negotiate together.


What it costs


I believe in making this work accessible to all who wish to involve me as a collaborator in their healing and personal transformation process. I therefore offer flexible sliding scale payment options and a handful of package options. If you feel you're a powerful match for this work but don't have the means, please feel free to still reach out.


Free 30-minute discovery calls are available to find out if this work is right for you.


Disclaimer


Transformational sessions are not the same as receiving care from a medical doctor. While they are designed to be mutually supportive, they are not intended to take the place of support from a physician or licensed mental health professional.


 

 

Testimonials

Alex has been supportive since we met, and I'm deeply grateful for the time and attention they give me. I feel truly cared for and loved. I trust them and have confidence in their skills and commitment to continuous learning, which empowers them to help me even more effectively through courses and personal journeys.

Rose

Alex has time and time again held me in a deeply vulnerable state with a grounded presence. They are well-practiced in their craft and attunes to the moment with ease. I felt safely held, cared for, and would definitely welcome another opportunity to have a session with them.

Ronni

Alex and I had a session together to explore the ranges of pain that I could experience. I felt so cared for and held throughout the session. I could tell they were attuning to my movements as well as verbally and I was able to open into a yummy mush. Grateful for our time together.

Rachel

Alex created such a safe and consent-forward space that allowed me to shed my masks and allowed me to authentically express myself. The relational exercises fostered a deep listening to my true desires and boundaries, and in turn, the ability to be present with another in honoring their own. I so look forward to more, and am deeply grateful for a space that allows a deepening of humanity.

Angad

Alex created a safe and creative space to consciously and deliciously explore attuned sensual engagement through a variety of structured activities. This structure enabled new meaningful and hot discoveries for me and I have taken what I've learned here and been able to apply it in other areas of my life with delicious results!

Josh

From this experience, I learned anew how I can use sex positivity as a catalyst for growth & self awareness. In so many ways I made my unconscious conscious, & some of these realizations took days to set in. Shadowy themes around consent & boundary violations were illuminated here & I envision the impact of this clarity touching every aspect of my existence. Lastly I experienced the breakdown of a black & white psychological obsession into something life-alteringly balanced & dynamic. I am able to see myself, my sexuality, my relationships, & my choices more clearly as a result of this work & my intensive efforts to integrate my experiences as deeply as possible.

Anon

I learned that by playing into fantasy, we can lean into our true desires that we once were shamed and embarrassed about, or once thought to be taboo, and from there clear significant energy, heal our mind, body, and soul to integrate these matters and live a more fulfilling and richer life whether in relationship to ourselves or with others.

JJ

Contact

Please complete this brief form in order to reach out about working with me.

Alternatively, you can reach me on the Signal app at: vulnerable_living.42

What are your goals & intentions for working with me? Be as descriptive as you like. (Please include at least 1-3.)

To establish what kind of package is right for you, please share anything important about your capacity in terms of time & budget investment.