Dr. Alissa Gardenhire

05/19/2026

Make out more. Bang less.
More pleasure. Less pressure.
A lot of people are not turned off.
They’re rushed.
Rushed past kissing.
Rushed past anticipation.
Rushed past the part where the body actually gets to arrive.
Not everything intimate needs to race toward s*x.
Some of us need more touch.
More truth.
More room to feel.
More non-goal-oriented intimacy.
More pleasure without pressure.
Slow Down S*x is for people who want more connection, more pleasure, and more truth in intimacy.
If this is speaking to you, you can learn more at the link in bio, or inquire directly:

www.touchhighq.com/slow-down-s*x
*x Desire NonS*xualTouch RelationalIntelligence

05/18/2026

I took the shot.

Zepbound for my sleep apnea, accordding to the insurance approval.

It sat in my fridge for 2 weeks.

I was/am afraid it would disrupt my connection to my sacral authority which has worked wonders for my life in the last 4 months.

Which has been transformative. Truly.

But my body is bigger than I like.

It's not bigger than my lovers like.

It's not bigger than my friends who revel in my hugs like.

It's not bigger than my Touch HighQ clients like.

It's bigger than I like when I look ikon the mirror.

My doctors never even suggested it because I'm overall healthy.

But

I see myself from the back and there is more of me than I like to see.

I'm overall pretty uninterested in food lately. It all tastes blah (and I don't have covid) for the past year.

But

Did i compare myself to a tiny white woman I cuddled yesterday?

Did I think about African rituals around getting rid of shame?

Did I observe many very curvy and beautiful Black women at events all weekend?

Did I recall a study about fat being related to fear?

Did I think about all of the young girls, black and white who have been terrorized by unwanted s*xual attention in their pr***en years?

Yes. Yes I did.

And I thought that white women's fears make them be as thin as possible and black women's fears make us get a fat ass possible to protect us from patriarchal abuse.

Neither work, but our kid brains are trying to keep us safe in an unsafe society.

Anyway, I took the shot. My cousin who had been on her glp1 journey for over a year said I wouldn't even feel any effects until higher dosage next month.

After the shot I had a mini panic attack at I do whenever I ingest something that I can't get back out.

But she talked me through it. My son stood by, as needed. And I lay upside down for a while until I got myself back together.

I'll report back again…probably.

05/17/2026

There are many sources of conflict in intimate relationships. Sometimes it's a desire mismatch. Sometimes it's an inability to express desire. Sometimes we don't even know what we want. Disconnection is real. Frustration is real. Can you relate?

But low pressure touch, directionless intimacy, making out, and touch for the sake of touching... plain old play can help.

My program, Slow Down S*x, can help. Next cohort starts June 7. Register now. Only 5 slots remain. www.touchhighq.com/slow-down-s*x

Later in the season they got it together i was glad to see.

Xo,
Dr. Alissa

05/16/2026

Detroit therapists:

I run a Detroit-based practice called Touch HighQ, where we do consent-forward, relational touch-based work and build thoughtful partnerships with local therapists.

On Wednesday, June 11 at 6 PM, I’m hosting a free in-person event for therapists at The Radical Wellbeing Center in Southfield.

This is a chance to experience some of the core principles of Touch HighQ, learn how this work can complement therapy for certain clients, and hear more about my Touch HighQ Triadic Model for therapist-client-touch practitioner collaboration.

This work is nons*xual, embodied, and relational. It can be especially useful for clients who need more support with boundaries, consent, receiving, choice, and connection in real time.

Free, but RSVP required:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/touch-highq-for-therapists-an-experiential-introduction-tickets-1989765400877

05/16/2026

So excited to Collab with

05/16/2026

Even in the bar on a Friday night I'm still learning about touch.

05/15/2026

Exploring the nons*xual erotic may be the most interesting thing I've done lately.
Long term non possessive partnership is thrilling me.
2026 is truly surprising me.

if you want to work with me... www.touchhighq.com/slow-down-s*x

05/15/2026

Want to get high from touch? No hangover. Pleasure without pressure or performance. Nons*xual and intimate. https://theembraceparty.rsvpify.com/

05/15/2026

05/15/2026

Yeah I will be facilitating this cuddly snuggle event! Tix

https://theembraceparty.rsvpify.com/