Sex often comes with all sorts of baggage and confusion and weight. Sex for some seems daunting and confusing, and for others feels like a distant memory in their relationship or for themselves. Sex can feel scary, exciting, overwhelming, and infinitely intimate. If you’re experiencing issues with overwhelming or dwindling sexual desire, difficulty with arousal or orgasm, have experienced some sort of sexual trauma, have concerns about your sexual orientation or gender identity, or have what you worry might be addictive or unhealthy sexual patterns, I’m here to listen. Sex therapy can help clients to feel comfortable with whatever sex and sexuality mean to them.

 

The World Health Organization defines sexual health as “a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence.”

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A note on the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists certification:

Any licensed therapist can provide sex therapy; however, only AASECT Certified Sex Therapists recognize that rigorous education, training, and supervision are necessary to support clients in an ethical, legal, and compassionate manner.

 

AASECT certification requires 90 hours of academic coursework in sexuality education, 60 hours of sexual health therapy specific training, and 10 hours of exploration of attitudes, values, and beliefs regarding human sexuality and sexual behavior. In addition to academic hours, national certification requires 300 hours of supervised clinical treatment of clients who present with sexual concerns and 50 hours of supervision with an AASECT Certified Supervisor of Sex Therapy. Once certified by AASECT, continuing education training hours are required to maintain the certification.

 

Founded in 1967, AASECT's mission is the advancement of the highest standards of professional practice for educators, counselors, and therapists. Read more about AASECT here.

 

• What is sexual health therapy? What will we talk about? Sexual health therapy is not much different from other forms of psychotherapy.  Every interaction between therapists and clients is professional and ethical; you or you and your partner may be given ideas in treatment sessions with which to experiment in the privacy of your home.  Sex therapists encourage clients to participate in self-exploration, as we believe in the healing power of positive sexuality and one’s quality of life.

 

• Is sexual health therapy only for couples?   No, individuals can benefit from sexual health therapy, too. If you’re feeling inhibited from pursuing a relationship based on sexual insecurities, if you’re having difficulty with a past sexual trauma, or if you want to explore your sexuality, sexual health therapy can help you. If you ARE in a couple relationship, exploring communication between two consenting individuals can help deepen your intimacy.

 

• How do I know if this is a physical problem or an emotional problem?  There may be an underlying physical issue associated with your sexual problem; if so I will counsel you to seek out the medical opinion of a primary care physician, gynecologist, endocrinologist or urologist. Sometimes if a physical problem persists, one can begin to feel anxious about their body and that anxiety exacerbates the sexual problem.   I’m here to talk through that anxiety, to work through personal solutions to promote your sexual well-being, self-confidence, and interpersonal intimacy.

 

• What are my qualifications to be a sexual health therapist?  I have completed 165 hours of continuing education facilitated by the University of Michigan Sexual Health Certificate Program/Sex Therapy track.  The Sex Therapy track is designed to help clinicians identify and treat client challenges--both individual and couple--related to sexual problems and concerns. One full year of post-graduate work is required.   I completed my training in 2016-2017.

 

I can assist you with the following sexual health issues:

• Issues related to desire and arousal

• Increasing sexual pleasure for yourself or in your relationship

• Religion-based shame around sexuality

• Fighting over the use of pornography by one or the other partner

• Problems underlying the cessation of sex in a relationship

• Issues related to aging, surgery, and/or chronic health issues

• Female issues such as painful intercourse, pelvic pain, desire and arousal

• Male issues such as premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, delayed ejaculation, desire and arousal

• Issues related to sexual orientation, gender orientation, “coming out”

• Alternative relationships such as asexuality, polyamory, pansexuality, consensual non-monogamy, BDSM/Kink, fetishes, etc.

 

I hope to help you manifest a more connected and satisfying sex life. Sexual issues can impact one's self - esteem or emotional intimacy with another. Sexual health therapy can give you the tools you need to work through to the core of what may be inhibiting your sexual health and happiness.