Breaking Taboos: Sex, Addiction Recovery, and Mental Health with Dr. Rachel Needle

In this eye-opening episode of The Hanley Effect, hosts Dr. Rachel Docekal and Dr. John Dyben welcome a pioneer in the field of mental and sexual health, Dr. Rachel Needle, for a refreshingly candid and empowering conversation about sex, addiction recovery and mental health. A licensed psychologist, certified sex therapist, educator, and founder of several institutions including Modern Sex Therapy Institutes and Palm Beach University, Dr. Needle brings humor, depth, and expertise to topics that are often stigmatized—including sex, trauma, substance use, and recovery.

Dr. Needle shares her personal journey into the field, shaped by her family’s experience with addiction and her early exposure to women’s health education. She dives into the intersections of sexual health, mental wellness, and substance use disorder, highlighting why open communication is critical for healing and connection.

The conversation also covers:

• The importance of starting sex education early and using proper terminology
• Reframing “sex addiction” and discussing compulsive sexual behavior with nuance
• Why therapists need continued education, mentorship, and self-care
• The power of empathy and advocacy in the mental health space
• Dr. Needle’s popular social series Sex Tip Saturday and how she uses social media to destigmatize difficult topics

Whether you’re a parent, professional, or someone on the path of recovery, this episode offers insight, laughter, and a much-needed push toward normalizing conversations around sexual and mental health.

About Our Guest: Dr. Rachel Needle, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist, certified sex therapist, author, educator, and the founder of Modern Sex Therapy Institutes and Palm Beach University. She specializes in trauma, sexual health, substance use disorder, and relationship wellness. Dr. Needle is also known for her engaging and educational social media content and has been featured in national media outlets including Glamour, Men’s Health, and The Washington Post.

📍 Learn more about Dr. Rachel Needle’s work at modernsextherapyinstitutes.com

📍 Discover Hanley Foundation’s programs and resources at hanleyfoundation.org

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