Dr. Teesha Morgan is a sex therapist, educator, writer, and certified clinical counsellor who is constantly working to further her career that she was once told was ‘unviable’. Now with successful careers alongside companies like Chatelaine Magazine, Private Practice and KY Brand Jelly, she inspires free speech and education in men and women of all ages in today’s YPDaily…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I provide individual and couples counselling to those who have sexual concerns, relationship problems, or are experiencing an array of sexual issues. I also work with a diverse group of people across Canada on the sexual education front; from KY Brand ‘Ask a Sexpert’ Q&A directed at young adults and couples, to parent support services and in school general sex ed. I spend a fair amount of my time writing as well, as I provide advice and present research in various sex and relationship columns online on in print.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
I have always found societies propensity to expose our youth to explicit violence in a nonchalant and acceptable manner – giving a blood bath of content a rating of PG 13, yet a breast shot or a sex scene an R rating – perplexing. I was also mystified by the fact that we are constantly exposed to this giant sexual elephant in the room, but are told not to speak of it. And when we do, our best efforts are to simply label it as right, wrong, black or white. Shades of grey, an elephants true colours, are rarely talked about or accepted. Therefore I got into this field in order help raise awareness about these issues, normalize our fundamental human behaviours, and bring about positive change and acceptance.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part of my job is meeting incredible characters who are constantly pushing the envelope, living outside societies normality box, and daring to put their face and voice on the line to create a world that is less judgemental and more understanding. Often times the most challenging part of my job is working with those who have a very sex negative religious based world view of themselves and others, as therapy against religion can be a long tedious and tumultuous road.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Spending half of my time on a laptop writing on the beach, and the other half travelling across North America educating, inspiring and creating positive social change.
What does success look like to you?
Success is doing something you love. Success is finding pride and joy in something you have created or accomplished. Success is finding happiness within yourself and within your relationship. Success is knowing you left the world a better place then when you arrived.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
I was in a pub – all good stories start there – and a woman came up to me with a drink. She said, “I recognize you and I just want to say thank you. Your writing helped shift my perception during a very difficult time in my life. I follow your work and I’d be honoured if you’d have a drink with me to celebrate my transformation from the [Tracy] back then, to the [Tracy] now”. I felt incredibly humbled by the experience.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Confidence is key. You can do more and accomplish more than you ever thought possible. And success is preparation meets opportunity, so always be prepared.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I support global charities such as Green Peace and PETA, but I also do fundraising to help on a community front, working to support children with disabilities, animal placement agencies, the local SPCA and fun friend fundraising – such as giving to the Movember movement.
What to you is notable?
Being the change you wish to see in the world.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
Crackberry with iPhone envy.