Psychosexual Therapy

overview

Everyone has the right to enjoy sex and relationships in all their multiplicity and the right not to participate in either, without judgment.

Often the ‘problems’ brought to psychosexual therapy relate to needs or expectations not being met: the ones we have for ourselves and the ones we’re held to by partner(s) and society at large.

Sometimes sexual problems have a solely physical basis but often it’s the interplay between physical factors and the meaning that gets ascribed to them that causes the most distress.

WHAT HAPPENS IN PSYCHOSEXUAL THERAPY?

I take a holistic approach providing a judgement-free space where we can tease apart the different strands of what’s affecting you - biological, social and psychological - and find ways of moving from anxiety and distress, to enjoyment and ease.

I’ll start by taking a detailed history and together we’ll work out what the main issues are and how we might work on them together. If necessary I may refer you for GP input to address any physical factors.

Some sessions will feel more exploratory and will have a counselling feel, others may feel more practical and therapist-driven. We may use take-home exercises and ‘experiments’ to capitalise on the time between sessions.

Is it right for me?

Psychosexual therapy can be really helpful for:

  • Building confidence around sex, intimacy and relationships

  • Working through loss of desire and arousal difficulties

  • Treating vulval pain conditions and vaginismus and dyspareunia

  • Exploring alternative sexual identities and relationship configurations

  • Treating erectile dysfunction and rapid or delayed ejaculation

  • Working through sexual abuse and assault or treating sexual offending

  • Treating compulsive or out-of-control sexual behaviours

  • Exploring digi-sexuality or developing a healthier relationship to porn

  • Treating issues around sexualised use of drugs and alcohol including chemsex

  • Treating orgasmic or anorgasmic problems

  • Treating sexual phobias or aversions

WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP?

If my approach resonates with you, why not schedule a free 20-minute telephone conversation so we can discuss your needs? If it feels right, we can schedule a 60-minute assessment session where I’ll take a history and get a better sense of you and your life as a whole so we can figure out the best way to work together. Then we can schedule a regular time to meet, usually once a week for 50 minutes for as long as is beneficial for you.