Sex Therapy

What is Sex Therapy?

Sex therapy is a specialized form of therapy focused on addressing concerns related to sexual function, intimacy, and satisfaction. Often, sexual issues are related to issues in other parts of life. Because of this, it is important to not only talk about sex in therapy, but also to address other areas of life like childhood experiences, past relationships, and previous trauma experiences. Addressing sexual issues in therapy requires that we slow down, back up, and figure out what past experiences could be relevant to current concerns.

At this practice, we embrace a sex-positive philosophy that celebrates the diverse expressions of human sexuality, including the valid decision to not engage sexually (and not to be pathologized for it). We acknowledge that there exists a broad spectrum of healthy sexual practices, desires, and identities. Our mission is to provide a safe, inclusive, and non-judgmental space where individuals can explore, learn, and connect with resources that support their sexual journey.

Individual Sex Therapy

Individual sex therapy may be right for you if you need support in any of these areas:

• Sexual pain

• Distressingly low sexual desire

• Distressingly high sexual desire

• Sexual confidence

• Healing from sexual trauma

• Feeling shame about sexuality

• Reclaiming sexuality after trauma (sexual, religious, medical, and more)

• Exploring sexuality and gender identity

• Making decisions about how or if to have sex (at all, or engage in a certain type of sex)

Couples Sex therapy

Couples (or relational) sex therapy may be right for you if you and your partner(s) need support with:

• Mismatched levels of sexual desire

• Rebuilding intimacy

• Revitalizing and expanding sexual connection and satisfaction

• Healing after infidelity

• Improving sexual communication

• Resolving resentment or conflict that is affecting your sexual relationship

• Exploring sexuality and kink

• Transitioning to a new relationship structure (monogamy, polyamory, ethical non-monogamy)

What to Expect in a Sex Therapy Session

Some topics we will explore in individual sex therapy are:

• Experiences with sex education

• Sexual background and experiences

• Sexual health and functioning

• Beliefs and ideas about sex (and where they come from)

• Specific challenges with sex

Some topics we will explore in couples/relational sex therapy are:

• Individual backgrounds and experiences

• History of the relationship(s)

• Communication

• Emotional intimacy and connection

• Current sexual concerns

• Expectations and goals for the relationship

• Hidden issues- often, while couples come to therapy for sex, the sexual concern is actually a consequence of conflict or misunderstanding elsewhere in the relationship