How I Got Here
I’ve always known relationships were important, but I didn’t always have the skills or awareness to navigate them well. I prioritized connection, often at the cost of my own well-being, not realizing how much trauma and relational conditioning shaped my choices.
A painful divorce and a coercive, violating encounter were the breaking point. I felt broken, lost, and unable to keep living the way I had been. That’s when I turned the lens inward and began my healing journey—one step at a time.
I began attending Authentic Relating workshops in Toronto. I experienced my first “cuddle puddle” and participated in The World’s Biggest Eye Contact Experiment. I trained in yoga, life coaching, and completed several trauma-informed programs led by experts in the field.
Most importantly, I surrounded myself with people who supported my growth, healing, and reclamation of self.
Professional Background
BSc Honours Psychology, McMaster University
Clinical Manager, Methadone Clinic & Treatment Program for People with High-Risk Behaviours
Certified Yoga Teacher, Awaken Love YTT
Certified Life Coach, Centre for Applied Neuroscience
Sex & Relationship Coach Training, Somatica® Institute
All of this experience—personal and professional—now informs my work as a coach. I blend science, intuition, and embodied practice to meet you where you are and help you get where you want to go.
With care, compassion, and honesty, I’ll help you explore what’s holding you back—and what’s ready to bloom.
My Story
Hi, I’m Denise—Relationship, Intimacy & Sex Coach, founder of Orchid Intimacy Coaching, and mother to two amazing teenagers. I’ve been married to a wonderful man since 2022, and together we are committed to building a relationship rooted in trust, vulnerability, curiosity, and growth.
But it hasn’t always looked like this.
I’ve experienced deep trauma—both in childhood and in my adult relationships. For decades, I carried wounds I didn’t fully understand, operating from survival mode and repeating painful patterns. Healing, I’ve learned, isn’t about becoming “perfect” or completely untriggered. That’s a myth. What’s real is learning to understand your own needs and desires, owning them without shame, and recognizing how your wounds show up in relationships.
This awareness has been transformational for me. I now know my needs are valid—whether or not someone else can meet them. And that realization has opened the door to deeper self-acceptance, emotional regulation, and authentic connection.
Today, my nervous system is more settled. I’ve created space in my life for joy, closeness, and meaningful intimacy. My partner and I share deep affection, mutual respect, emotional safety, and sexual exploration—but we’re not “perfect,” and we don’t expect to be. We both carry core wounds, and we still get triggered. What makes the difference is that we’re willing to grow through the discomfort rather than avoid it.
I believe this kind of growth is possible for everyone.
When we’re triggered, overwhelmed, or shut down, it’s hard to stay present—let alone communicate effectively. But these high-stakes moments shape the future of our relationships. We can either shut down or lean in. We can build resentment or build closeness. With the right tools and support, we can move through these moments with more ease, understanding, and compassion.
As human beings, we are wired for connection. Our relationships are where many of our deepest fears—and most beautiful transformations—take place. I want to help you feel safe enough to explore your desires, communicate your truth, and create intimacy that feels nourishing and real.
Photo by : Paul Buceta
Testimonials
“Working with Denise has been such a pleasure. She’s easy to talk to and takes her time to explain things. I love that she uses her experiences to help explain and show how to work through certain situations. I would HIGHLY recommend her services! You absolutely wont regret it.”
— K. Willock
Stratford, Ontario