Meet Haley Hasen | Sexologiest, Pleasure and Trauma informed Individual and Artist Pronouns: Haley, Haley’s

We had the good fortune of connecting with Haley Hasen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Haley, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
School was very difficult for me and I found myself very drawn to creating art, photography specifically. I have learning disabilities and I found it difficult to express what I was thinking and feeling through language. I have healed my trauma through my artwork, and now I am in a Master’s Program at GWU for Art Therapy to empower and affirm individuals and their identities through the healing power of art.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
We all have different definitions of struggle and it is important to acknowledge the privilege I receive because I am a white cissexual (term heard by Dr. Tracie Gilbert) femme. It has not been a smooth road and that is the beauty of life. We focus so much on a straight and narrow path to success, stating that healing is linear and one step forward to steps back. Going backward, turning upside down, holes and bumps are a part of life. The hardest challenge has been honoring my boundaries and myself. Acknowledging my worth, time, knowledge, and value is and will continue to be the most difficult.

I am where I am today because I honor my happiness and follow my goals (as cheesy as it sounds). I want to create affirming spaces for individuals and create a safer space for individuals to process their emotions through art. I plan and would like to work with sexual assault victims/ survivors and sex workers within art therapy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I tell everyone about Fetch, the dog park. I have three dogs and sadly, only one is allowed to go to fetch. It is my favorite place to go and do work, drink coffee, read, and grab a drink and catch up with friends and family.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have so many people I want to credit for empowering, pushing, and believing in me. I will hold a special place in my artwork for my two mentors: Chris Greenway and Sama Alshaibi. I also want to thank Cameron Glover, Founder of Sex Ed Business Acade,y for holding space for me as I unpack my imposter syndrome and discover my worth and value in the sex education field. Also to my incredible collueges, peers and loved ones who see me for me and hold space and honor my truer self.

Website: www.haleyhasen.com

Instagram: haleyhasenuncensored

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haleyhasen/