Sex is one of those things that can be hard to talk about – even when it is going well. So, when we encounter difficulty with our sex lives, we often feel that we have no one to turn to. Even friends or partners can be hard to be vulnerable with when it comes to talking about sex. The problem is that by not talking about it, we can foster shame and create anxiety making the problem worse. One of the reasons I became a sex therapist was to create a safe, non-judgmental space where people could talk about and get help with their sexual concerns. Part of creating that space means recognizing the impact of past traumas on sexual well-being and working with clients to address and heal these wounds.
There are so many reasons why you might want to engage in sex therapy – too many in fact to list here. But here are some of the more common reasons people seek out my services:
- A decline of sex in your relationship due to mismatched sex drives or a lack of desire
- Issues that impede pleasure including erectile issues, orgasm issues, medical issues, or even increased stress levels
- Out of control sexual behaviors (popularly referred to as “sex addiction”) such as frequent masturbation, increased porn use, engaging in affairs, or participating in dangerous/illegal sexual practices
- Navigating polyamory or open relationships whether they are new or established
- Pain during sex
- Sexual identity exploration and confusion – particularly later in life
- Exploring or managing kinks including BDSM
Please note this is NOT an exhaustive list – if your issue is in anyway related to sex or is getting in the way of you having a satisfying sex life, chances are sex therapy can help!