What is Surrogate Partner Therapy?
A personalized, heart-centered approach to healing
Surrogate Partner Therapy (SPT) is a structured, collaborative therapeutic process involving the client, a licensed therapist, and a trained surrogate partner. Originating in the 1970s through the work of Masters and Johnson, it integrates traditional talk therapy with experiential, real-world practice designed to foster intimacy, body awareness, and relational competence.
How it Helps
- Build comfort with touch and boundaries
- Reduce anxiety and avoidance
- Increase confidence and relational skills
What to Expect
We move at your pace. From communication and consent to body awareness and, when appropriate, sensual or sexual exercises. Always with clear agreements, collaboration, and support.
Who can benefit from SPT?
If you’re looking to feel safer, clearer, and more confident in intimacy, SPT may help
- Intimacy anxiety or avoidance
- Healing after sexual trauma (trauma-informed pace)
- Limited experience with dating or touch
- Body image or arousal challenges
- Disability-related barriers to connection
- Skills building for communication & boundaries
Your Partner in Relearning Intimacy
Healing by building trust within your body and relationships
I’m Travis Sigley, and with over 15 years of experience in the realms of intimacy and sexuality, I take a warm, individualized approach to helping people overcome intimacy challenges. My background in somatic practices such as massage, dance, mindfulness, and circus arts gives me a deeply embodied perspective on this work and helps me meet clients wherever they are.
I completed my training with the Surrogate Partner Collective(opens in a new tab) in 2023 and approach this practice with a strong foundation in trauma-informed care. This shapes my gentle, client-centered style and ensures that safety and trust are always at the core of our work together.
Collaboration is central to how I practice. I work closely with each client’s therapist to create a healing journey that respects your unique needs, boundaries, and pace, supporting you as you build confidence, connection, and ease in intimacy.
How We'll Work Together
A personalized, heart-centered approach to healing
Initial Assessment
Begin with an evaluation by your therapist or clinician to determine if SPT is appropriate for your needs.
Therapeutic Alliance
Establish trust and boundaries with your surrogate partner and therapist in a safe, professional environment.
Structured Sessions
Progress through carefully designed exercises addressing emotional connection, touch, and intimacy skills.
The Benefits of SPT
Emotional Connection
Develop skills to build meaningful emotional connections and improve relationship dynamics.
Overcome Anxiety
Gradually reduce intimacy-related anxiety through guided, therapeutic experiences.
Body Awareness
Enhance understanding and comfort with your body and physical responses.
Communication Skills
Learn to express needs, desires, and boundaries effectively in intimate relationships.
Self-Esteem
Build confidence in your ability to form and maintain healthy relationships.
Healing Trauma
Process and heal from past trauma in a controlled, therapeutic setting.
Client Experiences
Honest Feedback From People Like You
K E
San Francisco, CA
"While I was a sex columnist at the San Francisco Bay Guardian, Travis agreed to let me do a story on their thriving cuddle therapy practice, and to participate in a session with them. Of course, they had no idea that in addition to being an investigative reporter, I'm a real jokester. A right rapscallion! So during the session, I pushed Travis with incessant flirting and dirty jokes. But alas, they were unbreakable! They had a great sense of humor and kept all touch and communication platonic and oriented toward healing. In fact, before I knew it, they had me spilling my guts about my problems, and they were a perfect witness to my woes. Travis radiates insight and peace, and you can trust them to hold you—emotionally and physically—with total professionalism and understanding. They're the real deal."
Anonymous, Client
Bay Area, CA
"Travis was referred to me for their services when I was in desperate need of some strong-armed snuggles and space holding companionship. They were a beautiful support with gentle, tender, soft grounded-ness… perfect for relaxing into their presence as I pontificated about my day or softly held me in silence while we pretzeled platonically. It felt like that old relationship energy I was so missing. Treat yourself to this tender human experience/delight! I promise you won’t regret… I didn’t."
L D, Therapist
Bay Area, CA
"Travis is an extraordinary intimacy professional. Their communication and pacing is reflective of their years of experience navigating sexuality and intimacy. They provide a trauma-informed approach rich in compassion and genuine care. Travis’s collaboration with therapists and clients invites a deeper layer of experiential healing that offers corrective experiences to aid in healing attachment wounding, sexual trauma and self esteem."
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while both address intimacy concerns, SPT involves a trained surrogate partner working in conjunction with a therapist to provide experiential learning. Traditional sex therapy typically involves talk therapy only.
The duration varies based on individual needs and goals. Most clients complete the process in 3-6 months with weekly sessions. There are also shorter intensives available if needed. Your therapist will work with you to create a personalized timeline.
SPT is primarily designed for individuals who are not in a partnership. However, as someone with 15 years of experience in Consensual Non-Monogamy, I'm available on a case-by-case basis to work with couples or individuals in a relationship. There are many relationship skills that can be developed in SPT that can be applied to existing relationships.
Our surrogate partners adhere to strict professional standards including: clear boundaries, client-centered focus, ongoing supervision, complete confidentiality, and termination of physical contact at the conclusion of therapy.
During a session with your therapist, they will evaluate your specific concerns and goals. Good candidates typically have identified intimacy challenges and are committed to the therapeutic process.
Begin Your Healing Journey
Contact us for a confidential consultation
Let's Connect
My Studio
Private Location in Emeryville, CA
Phone
(415) 503-9197
travis.sigley@gmail.com