Rosara Torrisi, LCSWR, MEd, CST, PhD

Head shot of Dr. Rosara Torrisi, smiling female with short brown hair, wearing glasses and a purple shirt, in front of a white background.

You can feel confident knowing you are working with an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist. Rosara Torrisi has experience discussing diverse sexuality topics including aging, pregnancy, sexual dysfunctions, cancer, compulsivity, and sexual minority relationships. Rosara works with individuals, couples, relationships, and families. 

How Rosara Torrisi can help you.

Rosara Torrisi is a licensed clinical social worker with a specialization in Sex Therapy. She can help you with issues such as sexual dysfunctions; low desire; erectile difficulties; orgasmic dysfunctions; pelvic pain; depression; anxiety; divorce; pre-marital assessments; sexual minority individuals, relationships, and families; adoption and foster care; trauma; chronic illness; life transitions; and the effects of these issues on individuals, relationships, and families of all types.

Rosara Torrisi’s Credentials.

Rosara Torrisi is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist. She graduated from Columbia University with a Master of Science in Social Work and earned a Master of Education in Human Sexuality from Widener University where she also earned her PhD in Human Sexuality. She is an Adjunct Professor at Widener University and guest lecturer around the country, teaching courses about sexuality, sex therapy, and disabilities. Rosara is an Our Whole Lives comprehensive sexuality educator for youth, young adults, adults, and older adults. She has also achieved Levels 1 and 2 of the Gottman Couples Therapy Method.

Rosara Torrisi is a member in good standing.

Rosara Torrisi is a member in good standing of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS), the Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR), and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). She is both a member and presenter on behalf of the Sexuality and Aging Consortium. Rosara is recognized as a welcoming and kink-aware therapist by the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) and is also a recommended therapist by the Long Island LGBT Network.

Gender pronouns and titles:

She/Her/Hers, Ms., Dr. (Note: many people are confused by the “Dr.” designation. Although Rosara Torrisi does have a PhD, she does not have an MD/DO and is not a medical doctor. She often uses “Dr. T” as an easier way to be addressed; using “Rosara” or “Ms. Torrisi” is also just fine).

 

 

A quick word from Rosara Torrisi

I knew I wanted to be a sex therapist since I was 16 years old. I saw the movie Meet the Fockers where Barbara Streisand’s character is a sex therapist and thought, “that’s what I want to do when I grow up!” Lucky me, I have hippie parents who said “sure,” and supported me along my journey. I went to Barnard College where I worked on a collaborative project with researchers from the Kinsey Institute and spent summers with the Council for Relationships in Philadelphia. I went to Columbia University for my MSSW and worked on developing a suicide assessment scale. Then I started my MEd/PhD at Widener University and began my work exploring the sexual functioning of lesbian survivors of breast cancer utilizing a sexual excitation/sexual inhibition scale. In the midst of this, I started my practice on Long Island which has now grown to include 7 therapists. I teach on a few fronts. For my allied professional colleagues, I present workshops and in-service trainings. I have similar workshops and courses I present for professional CEs at universities. I have enjoyed returning to Widener and teaching sexology students. I also teach weekly 9th-grade Our Whole Lives sex-ed at my UU Congregation. Somewhat like teaching, I am also a co-host on a podcast called Our Better Half with fellow CHSS grad, Jane Fleishman, and am currently writing a few sexuality-related books. I very much believe in mentoring and am the chair of the AASECT Mentorship Committee. I am also married and have a 3-year-old child.


Appreciation

Thank you, thank you for everything! We have come soooo far in many areas of our relationship thanks to your support and guidance. There are no words that can express the amount of my thanks. We will never stop working on our relationship for the better as we both know there is no “done” in this work. ~SO

Thank you for helping me learn that I didn’t do anything. I don’t think I have to come back because you taught me a lot, so thank you. We always laughed, you’re a good friend to me, thank you for helping me find the sunshine after the storm. ~ CS


A special thank you for everything. It was a pleasure working with you. All the best to you. ~ AS


Thank you for helping me find myself. ~ EK


There is no denying that we have improved our sex lives since beginning our work with you. It’s not always easy but if we stick to it we can make it work. ~ RL


Would like to take this opportunity to thank you for helping us to reconnect this year. Thank you very much! ~HC


I have been in therapy for years and never had I found such relief and support as these first few sessions with you. Thank you. ~OR


I cannot “thank you” enough for all you’ve done for us!! Thank you for your dedication, commitment and attention. You have made a difference in our lives. We will never forget. ~ RF


Organizations I’ve had the Pleasure of Working With

If you or your colleagues would be interested in hosting a presentation or workshop, I would be honored to customize one that fits your needs.

  • The Guild House
  • The Solution Center
  • Jericho High School
  • North Shore – LIJ/Northwell Katz Women’s Hospital
  • Widener University
  • LIU Post- Long Island University – CW Post
  • The Barnard Club of Long Island
  • Sepi Peykar Presents
  • Hofstra/Northwell School of Nursing
  • UU Congregation at Shelter Rock
  • Northwell Zucker Hillside Hospital
  • Northwell STARS Rehabilitation Services
  • The National LGBT Cancer Network
  • Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health