What is Sex Therapy?

Sex therapy is therapy that focuses on sex, sexuality, intimacy and relationships. It never involves nudity or sexual contact or behaviors with the therapist or in the therapy room. Sex therapy is for people of all  different races, ages, bodies, sexual identities and backgrounds. It is impossible to separate out sex from other aspects of our lives. Our ideas and beliefs about sex are tied into our culture and family background.  These beliefs then interact with our partners' attitudes about sex, which creates excitement, as well as conflict.  So in sex therapy, we talk about your whole life, with a specialized focus on sexual health.  I am a Certified Sex Therapist (CST), which means I have had specialized training in sexuality, completed an extensive certification process and committed to engaging in continuing education related to sexual health. 

I consider myself "sex positive", which means I am comfortable talking about sex and sexual concerns. Learning how to feel okay talking about sex is a healthy way to combat any sexual shame (which most of us have to some degree).  Sex positivity is about knowing ourselves, communicating with others about what we want and don't want, engaging in consensual behaviors and focusing on the pleasure of all involved.  I also believe sex doesn’t have to be so serious. Too often, sex becomes a “problem”.  Sexual pleasure can be light, silly and fun. After all, sex is consensual adult play! #laughterissexy

As a CST, I enjoy working with gender and sexual identities exploration -including asexuality,  sexual pleasure development, diversity in relationship structures -like Consensual Nonmonogamy or Polyamory,  improving partner sexual communication, genital pain (dyspareunia, vaginismus), erectile concerns and sexual trauma- using EMDR.  Other common sexual issues I offer support with:

• libido differences in partners
• health conditions affecting sexual health
• sexual fantasy and  fetish exploration or conflict
• aging and sexuality
• kink and  BDSM exploration or conflict
• out of control sexual behavior
• arousal issues
• sex education
• and much more....

However, I do not facilitate forensic interviews, work with nonconsensual sexual behavior or  provide mandated treatment.