From devout Catholic to spiritual and free
I was raised in a Spanish speaking, conservative Catholic household in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California. My mom is from El Salvador and my dad is from Mexico.
I attended Catholic school from Kindergarten to twelfth grade, was involved in my parish, and even wanted to be a nun at age 16. My religious beliefs significantly shaped my perception of myself and my sexuality.
I began to feel ashamed of my sexual desires and body to the point to where I was going to confession on a weekly basis to admit the "sinful" things my boyfriend and I were engaging in. It was a very confusing time that lead to a paralyzing depression and deep hate of myself.
As I entered college, and slowly left the church, my belief system shifted. The first time I had sex with a partner was at age 18 and when I tell you the skies parted and angels sang! Not necessarily because the sex was good (because the first time it rarely is), but because it was a beautiful connecting and freeing experience. I thought to myself, "How can this be a BAD thing?!"
I was determined to learn everything I could about sex. I became a Sex Educator at age 21, facilitating workshops on college and university campuses. Then, earned my Bachelor's degree in Gender and Women Studies, ran a Sexual Health and Wellness boutique for 4 years, and went to grad school for my Master's Degree in Social Work.
I have been a sex educator for 13 years and now, for the past 4 years, I have been coaching women, men, and couples one on one and in group settings to support them on embodying the most authentic sexual expression of themselves.
Throughout the years and through a few challenging experiences, I have been able to develop a spiritual belief system that celebrates my sexual expression fully! This has been the driving force of what I do in my practice. Coaching and educating from a place of unconditional love for my clients and for humanity as a whole.
https://jocelynsilva.com
@iamjocelynsilva
