Sex therapy

Sex therapy is a specialized form of talk therapy that addresses sexual concerns, intimacy challenges, and relationship difficulties related to physical connection. During sessions, our therapists create a safe, confidential space where couples can openly discuss their concerns, explore underlying factors affecting their sexual relationship, and develop practical strategies for improvement. We use evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and the Gottman Method to help couples understand patterns, improve communication, and rebuild intimacy at a pace that feels comfortable for both partners.

Sex therapy helps couples experiencing various sexual and intimacy challenges, including decreased desire, performance anxiety, mismatched libido, pain during intimacy, difficulty with arousal, or general dissatisfaction with their sexual relationship. We often work with couples who have been married for several years and notice their physical connection has changed, couples adjusting to life after having children, empty nesters rediscovering intimacy, and partners navigating major life transitions. Whether sexual concerns developed recently or have been present for years, our personalized approach addresses each couple's unique situation.

Not at all. Many couples seek sex therapy as a proactive step to strengthen their relationship or address concerns before they become more significant. Some couples come to us wanting to enhance an already good sexual connection, while others are working through specific challenges. We also support couples navigating normal life transitions that affect intimacy, such as becoming new parents, managing stress, or adjusting to physical changes. Sex therapy benefits any couple wanting to improve their physical and emotional connection, regardless of the severity of their concerns.

Sex therapy sessions are talk-based and take place in our comfortable, private office setting or through secure online sessions. During your first appointment, we take time to understand your relationship history, current concerns, and goals for therapy. Subsequent sessions focus on exploring the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors affecting your sexual relationship. We may provide education about sexual health, teach communication techniques, suggest exercises to try between sessions, and help you work through emotional barriers. Everything discussed remains completely confidential, and we move at a pace that respects both partners' comfort levels.

The duration of sex therapy varies based on each couple's specific concerns, goals, and progress. Some couples notice improvements within a few sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support to address deeper issues or longstanding patterns. During your initial consultation, we discuss what you hope to achieve and provide a general framework for your therapy journey. We use Solution-Focused Therapy principles to help couples reach their goals efficiently while ensuring meaningful, lasting change. Our approach emphasizes quality outcomes rather than a predetermined number of sessions.

For couples therapy focused on sexual concerns, we strongly encourage both partners to participate whenever possible. Sexual intimacy involves both individuals, and the most effective progress happens when both partners are engaged in the therapeutic process. However, we understand that schedules and circumstances vary. If one partner cannot attend certain sessions, we can work with the available partner while still maintaining focus on the relationship dynamic. We make scheduling as simple as possible through our easy-to-use client portal.

Our therapists address a wide range of sexual and intimacy concerns, including low desire or mismatched libido, performance anxiety, difficulty with arousal or satisfaction, pain during intimacy, communication challenges around sexual needs, emotional barriers to physical connection, and general dissatisfaction with sexual frequency or quality. We also help couples navigate how trauma, anxiety, depression, or PTSD may be affecting their sexual relationship. Using specialized approaches like EMDR and Parts Work when appropriate, we address both the emotional and relational aspects of sexual wellness.

Occasionally, we may suggest exercises or practices for couples to explore between sessions, though this is always optional and discussed collaboratively. These might include communication exercises, mindfulness practices, or gradual approaches to rebuilding physical connection. Any suggestions we make honor your comfort level, values, and relationship dynamic. Some couples find homework helpful for maintaining progress between sessions, while others prefer to focus solely on in-session work. We tailor our approach to what works best for each unique couple.

Starting the conversation about sex therapy can feel vulnerable, but many couples find that suggesting professional support demonstrates care and commitment to the relationship. You might frame it as wanting to strengthen your connection, improve communication, or work together on something important to both of you. If you are unsure how to approach this conversation with your partner, we can provide guidance during an individual consultation. We have helped many couples where one partner was initially hesitant but later grateful for the opportunity to work on their relationship in a supportive environment.

Getting started is straightforward. Reach out to our office to schedule an initial consultation where we can discuss your concerns, answer questions, and determine the best therapist match for your needs. We make the intake process as simple as possible using our client portal, which is easy to navigate. After your first session, we follow up to ensure you feel comfortable with your therapist and that services are meeting your needs. For information about scheduling and session details, contact our office and we will be happy to help you take the first step toward rebuilding intimacy and connection.