Sex therapy is a branch of psychotherapy that happens with all parties fully-clothed and involves in-depth discussions about one’s problems around sex and intimacy. I sensitively and directly ask specific, detailed questions to have a full understanding of exactly where you’re struggling in your sex life. Sex therapy is similar to ‘regular’ talk therapy in that we’re talking about your issues and looking at whatever internal and/or relational conflicts that might be at the root of your challenges around sex. When appropriate, I may suggest sex therapy ‘homeplay’— touch exercises to practice at home to deepen the work we’re doing together in session.

Individuals or couples may come in with more issues than just sex. We start with whatever is most important for you. Oftentimes I find that people’s challenges in other parts of their life or relationship connect to their issues around sex. As such, we may cast a wider net in discovering and treating the root cause of your difficulties around sex.

AASECT Certified Sex Therapists like me have gone through years of rigorous educational training, gained at least hundreds of hours of clinical sex therapy experience and have received many hours of clinical supervision to offer competency and expertise in the field of sex therapy.

For more information about the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and their certification process, go here.

In most psychotherapy graduate school training programs, therapist gain little or no education to help clients with sexual issues. Without proper training in sex therapy, therapists can often resort to giving biased information about sex that isn’t based in science or evidence-based clinical practice. Unfortunately, without intending to and at its worst, that kind of misinformation and partiality can cause harm. At its mildest, it can lead to a lack of progress around the sexual issues you’re coming for help with.

Whether or not you ultimately choose to work with me, if you have sexual issues you’d like to address, I strongly suggest working with an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist or at least a licensed psychotherapist with additional training in sex therapy.

No problem! Most of us don’t grow up in sex-positive households nor do we get the sex education we truly need to have pleasurable and connected sex lives as adults. Some of us grow up in religious households and have the additional emotional hardship of getting shamed for sexual feelings, desires or masturbation. Because of all this (and other factors that may be specific to your situation), I know that talking about sex (and with a stranger!) can feel awkward, uncomfortable and nerve-wracking.

We can absolutely go at the pace that suits you. And at the same time, growth does involve some discomfort. In that vein, I encourage and invite open, direct, specific conversations about sex while supporting you with any anxiety or other feelings that come up when sharing yourself with me and/or your partner in therapy.

Over time and through practice being open in therapy, many people find that talking about sex eventually becomes easier and feels more natural. The reality is that talking about sex is often a requirement for developing a fulfilling sex life. So let’s get to practicing, shall we? ;)

Absolutely! While I don’t use the framework of ‘addiction’ to treat sexual issues because their is no scientific evidence to justify sex or porn ‘addictions’, I can absolutely help you with sexual behaviors that feel out of control. While I might hold a different framing, you can feel free to use whatever language you want to describe your difficulties.

I don’t ascribe to an addiction model to treat out-of-control sexual behaviors because there is no scientific evidence to justify the existence of actual ‘addictions’ for sexual issues. Additionally, I find that having a pathologizing lens on sexuality can lead to unnecessary shame and suffering that can exacerbate feeling out of control around sex.

While I don’t have a sex addiction orientation, I understand that people can have sexual behaviors that feel problematic or out-of-control to them. I have specific expertise to treat such difficulties and am a Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB) Certified therapist with the Sexual Health Alliance (SHA). In addition to standard certified sex therapy training, I have gone through a year-long training to offer additional competence in this arena. Together, we will clarify your vision for sexual health and work on whatever is getting in the way of you feeling in control and embodying your sexual health vision.

Absolutely! I’m affirming of all those identities and have experience working with neuordivergent and mixed neurotype partners, and all sorts of kinky, queer, trans and ethically non-monogamous folks.