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About Andrew
I am a Certified Surrogate Partner, certified
by the International
Professional Surrogates Association. I am currently accepting
clients and referrals, primarily women (either cis or trans) who
experience limitations in their intimate lives and/or relationships
they wish to overcome.
"Andrew, you are doing the work you were
meant for. Your intuition, sensitivity and empathy are just what
is needed."
Dr. Cheryl
Cohen Greene, 40-year Veteran Surrogate Partner and the real
life surrogate played by Helen Hunt in the award-winning
movie "The Sessions" |
Andrew Heartman
November 2022
Photo: Denise Doyle
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I recognize the extreme sensitivity of the issues
my clients deal with, and feel that my most important function as a surrogate
partner is to create a safe emotional environment. People have told me
all my life that they feel safe around me. I believe it's the combination
of the following traits that create this safety:
I am present.
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I have
spent most of my adult life cultivating the ability to be really present,
and by that I mean attentive, focused, and keenly aware of what's
happening in the moment. |
I listen. |
Sensitive and intuitive, I am an exceptional
listener. My listening is fueled by a genuine interest and caring.
My intention is to not only hear what you're saying, but also to help
you say what you haven't been able to say. |
“The way
Andrew communicates is so clear it helps me be more clear, not only
in my words but also in my thoughts. I feel really heard when I
am with him.” —Sue S. |
I'm nonjudgmental. |
I have had several friends and former
girlfriends who have dealt with sexual assault, so I have seen firsthand
the effect that sexual abuse and its subsequent trauma can have on
women's emotional and intimate lives. All of these experiences have
engendered in me a deep compassion for an enormous range of human
experiences. I am one of the most nonjudgmental people you will ever
meet. |
I am empowering. |
My intention is to empower your growth
and confidence in who you are. I look for and see the parts of you
that deserve to be honored, revered, respected, and loved. Once I
see those parts of you, you will start to see them also. No matter
what your age, body type, or lifestyle, your inherent beauty will
be seen and accepted. |
"Andrew's
warmth and caring for everyone around him really
shows up and it is wonderful to be around." —
Ava |
I am available. |
As a surrogate partner, I don't have
an agenda to make a point, to be heard, or to satisfy my own emotional
or sexual needs, and am fully available to support my clients on their
healing journey. I’ve done a tremendous amount of healing work
on myself, and as a result, I am completely comfortable with my own
body, my sexuality, and my emotions. |
I've been pursuing personal growth through relationships
since I've been old enough to have them. I feel most alive when exploring
interpersonal communication, intimacy, relationships, and personal growth.
Although it has not been in any formal way, I realize now that I've been
doing this work all my life.“
I see clients at
several locations in the San Francisco Bay Area, including San Francisco,
Oakland, and Fremont. I am also open to traveling to work with clients
in intensive therapy and other geographic areas.
From Francetta (May 2018)
I just wanted to let you know what a tremendous
impact the intensive had on my entire life. As you know I suffered
from prolonged, severe childhood sexual abuse. I lived in constant
fear of men, believing all men were dangerous. This thought invaded
every aspect of my life. Due to keeping the abuse "secret,"
my voice was silenced. I was unable to express my sexual needs (as
an adult) plus due to shame, guilt, rage, and grief, pleasure was
never experienced. The intensive with you was truly transformative.
I finally found "my voice" and my sexuality. Through the
sensate focus, body image, and active/passive exercises, I came
"home" to my true self. You taught me about proper boundary
setting, self-care, good sexual health, effective, open, honest
communication, vulnerability, and how to ask for what I desired.
You did this all in the space you created of safety, trust, and
connection, always taking every opportunity to break the stronghold
of cultural, social, and religious conditioning.
The skills I learned can be applied to every
aspect of my life. I am finally freed from my sexual prison. My
wish would be that every woman who has experienced sexual trauma
would know that true sexual freedom and healing exists for them.
For the first time in my life (64 years), I am enjoying being a
woman - I am enjoying and celebrating my body - I am loving my very
being.
Reverend Francetta |
Artwork from Francetta,
regarding our work together
November 2014
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Specifics
Co-Founder, Surrogate
Partner Collective, 2020
Secretary, Executive Committee, Ethics Committee,
International Professional Surrogates Association, 2011 - 2020
Training Coordinator,
International Professional Surrogates Association, 2012 - 2015
Surrogate Partner Training,
International Professional Surrogates Association, 2008
Interchange
Counseling Institute, 2011
Sex
Educator Training, San Francisco Sex Information,
2010
Professionally involved with healing and intimacy
since 1997, including running a healing arts center, and practicing Breathwork,
Energy Work, and Bodywork.
Regular staff member at the Loving Life Seminar, and
in the Love,
Intimacy, and Sexuality Workshops of the Human
Awareness Institute, since 1998 and 2001, respectively.
Member, International
Professional Surrogates Association
Member, Somatic Sexuality Professionals Special Interest
Group of the American Association of Sexuality
Educators, Counselors, and Therapists
Certified Somatic Sexuality Specialist, 2014 - Present,
American College
of Sexologists International
Surrogate Partner Practititioner, 2014 - Present,
Institute for Mind Body Therapy
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