Sex therapy or counseling is a specialized form of talk therapy* that focuses on concerns of sexual functioning, expression, or communication about sex.
Most couples have sexual problems at some point and most problems are quite fixable. My commitment to each of my clients is to hold a warm and inviting space in order to meet each of them wherever they are on their personal path to pleasure.
An opportunity to voice needs and wants in a safe, contained environment.
Because of feelings of hurt, anger, resentment, disappointment, and inhibition, many partners have a difficult time solving their intimate issues on their own because .
Many couples deeply desire to talk to each other but cannot find the right words or the right time, so they keep quiet, and the problems feel bigger than they are.
Sex a space where we cannot hide from our partners. If we are not present or enjoying the moment, our partner is aware. If partners are not having sex, everyone is aware of the impact.
Talking through the various elements of sexual experience in a therapeutic setting can help individuals and partners identify obstacles (that might exist beyond the realm of sexual performance) and find solutions to sexual and relationship issues.
A well-trained sex therapist is aware of how overwhelming it may feel to talk about this intimate subject.
We don't just get one sexuality in our lifetime, we get many.
Throughout the lifespan, the body and our sexuality changes.
What turned us on at one time, may not turn is on after life events such as childbirth, career changes, death of a loved one, health issues, or even daily life stressors.
Rather than think that there is something wrong which causes more shutting down, withdrawing and avoidance, sex counseling creates a space to explore what each partner desires and new ways of holding space for one another that can lead to increased intimacy and connection.
Sex therapy becomes an opportunity to explore the stories and beliefs we hold about sex.
Most of us hold misinformation, beliefs, or misunderstandings about sex learned from well-intended parents and cultural or religious traditions. Sex counseling becomes an opportunity to talk, clarify, update and heal misunderstandings from childhood well-intended caretakers as well as misunderstandings that occur in long-term relationships.
As stated before, our sexuality changes throughout the lifespan, and so does the sexuality of a relationship.
Sex therapy is also the space where the sexual stories of the individuals and the partnership can be recreated by expanding what sex and sexuality is for each individual while integrating what is the sexuality of the relationship.
Sex is not just a physical act.
Sex embodies and integrates the physical, the emotional, the mental, and the spiritual aspects of all partners.
Counseling can help individuals and couples explore different facets of sexuality.
Sexuality is not only about functioning but creating more intimacy and pleasure. Ultimately helping you experience amazing sex as your birthright.
What is integrative sex therapy?
Sex is an integral part of our human experience. Pleasure our birthright.
Sex is a path to greater embodiment of ourselves. A practice of accessing and learning the signals of the body—a process of relating with the sensual body—that allows one to more fully engage with the feelings of aliveness, vitality, and integration of body, heart, mind and spirit.
Body sensations and emotions are defined beyond good or bad, positive or negative, light or dark, but rather invitations to know ourselves, and our partners, better, explore our erotic nature and unique sexual expressions.
Sex is seen as an essential part of the human experience, not separate. Sex is a powerful way to connect to ourselves and to others. Even not wanting to have sex is a way of connecting or disconnecting.
Sex is seen beyond functional, pursuing sensation, or a final goal. Integrative sex is seeing sex through the lens that all our experiences are invitations for healing, growing, expanding and connecting.
BODY
A full range of sensory experiences – smell, taste, touch, sight, and hearing. Movement and stillness. Comfort and safety. Arousal, orgasm, physical pleasures. Embodiment—a process of relating with the sensual body—that allows one to more fully engage with aliveness, openness.
HEART
A full range of feelings – love, passion, longing, anger, and fear. Whatever touches and expresses the heart. Empathy. Compassion. Trust. Open-heartedness and heightened feelings. Closure. Longing.
MIND
Beliefs, judgments and values. Imagination, intuition, memory, and dreams. Wishes, intentions, anticipations, and expectations. An open mind, increased understanding, expanded beliefs, and letting go of judgments and stories that hold us back. Closed mind and mental loops.
SPIRIT
The area of connection and disconnection—with one’s self, one’s partner, one’s tribe and family, and/or a “higher power.” This can include inner visions, communication with divine forces, experiencing one’s self as part of all that is sacred.
Sessions can assist a couple or an individual.
- Libido differences in partners
- Loss of desire, Difficult arousal, Performance anxiety
- Intimacy
- Sexual abuse
- Anorgasmia (lack of orgasm)
- Pain: dyspareunia, vulvodynia, vaginismus, pelvic pain
- Erectile dysfunction
- Birthing trauma
- Body image
- Aging and sexuality
- Spirituality and sexuality
*Sex therapy/counseling does not involve any form of physical contact, nudity, or sexual behavior between client and therapist.