Published on: 
Dec 10, 2024

Summary: 
In this episode of Clearly Legal, Sean Martin and Joel Surber engage with Blakely Hunze-Austin, a licensed professional counselor specializing in sex therapy. The conversation explores the intersection of mental health and legal issues. Blakely shares insights on the importance of early intervention for children experiencing stress due to family dynamics, the impact of sustained stress leading to trauma, and the nuances of ethical non-monogamy. The discussion emphasizes the need for collaboration between mental health professionals and lawyers to better support clients, especially children, during challenging times. This conversation delves the importance of mental health training for lawyers, the role of expert testimony in legal cases, and the nuances of sex therapy. They explore the emotional implications of sexual health issues and how these can affect relationships, particularly in the context of loss of consortium claims. The discussion emphasizes the need for lawyers to understand the emotional landscape of their clients and the importance of integrating mental health professionals into legal processes.