Sex Therapy

Therapeutic space to reclaim your sexual wellness

Your sexual wellbeing deserves attention and care.

Let's work together to nurture a healthy, fulfilling sex life.

Our sexual wellbeing is intrinsically linked to our emotional, mental, and physical health. When challenges arise in our intimate lives, they can impact our relationships, self-esteem, and even our sense of joy in day-to-day life.

By working with a trained and affirming sex therapist, you can gain valuable insights into your sexual and emotional needs, improve communication with partners, break free from sexual shame, and develop strategies to overcome recurrent obstacles. Our holistic approach will not only help you enhance your sexual fulfillment, but also strengthen overall mental health, feel greater connection with your body, and help you strengthen intimacy in your relationships.

We help individuals and couples address:

  • Difficulties feeling present during sex

    Do you feel like you are “going through the motions,” stuck in your head, or are so focused on how your body looks or is functioning during sex that you can’t enjoy yourself? We can help you understand what gets in the way and find ways to safely and effectively approach presence in sexual contexts.

  • Lower sexual desire

    Perhaps sex once felt important, but has faded as a priority. Or, your interest in sex was never as strong as you would have hoped. Do you want to want to have sex but can’t seem to motivate yourself to engage? We are familiar with the many factors that contribute to lower sexual desire as well as how to work toward increasing desire.

  • Performance anxiety

    You may be familiar with the experience of feeling pressure to elicit a bodily response in sexual situations. Whether you deal with erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, difficulty with orgasm, or other concerns about bodily responses, we are happy to support your body and mind in working through these challenges.

  • Sexual shame

    It’s rare in this day and age to receive primarily sex-positive messaging. Even if you know better, it’s common to have difficulties letting go of harmful messages received from religious organizations, medical institutions, and heteronormative/cis-normative pop culture (among other institutions). We’re here to help you unlearn the unhelpful messages and rewrite your sexual narrative.

  • Sexual pain

    Many individuals regularly experience unwanted pain during sexual interaction. For example, pain with penetration, pain with touch in particular areas, or interference of chronic pain in sexual circumstances. If you have a diagnosis such as vulvodynia, dyspareunia, genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, or vaginismus, we are prepared to help you understand the sources of pain, find new ways to respond to pain, and better meet your body’s needs.

  • Feeling out of touch with own sexual self

    Sometimes it’s difficult to talk about our sexuality or engage alone or with others when we feel uncertain of what we even like. This may come from years of disconnection with the body, a general lack of safe experiences in which to explore, confusion about your fantasies, or a realization of a new sexual identity or interest. Regardless of how you have arrived here, we’re ready to guide you toward compassionate self-knowing.

 Our Approach to Sex Therapy

We understand that exploring issues related to sexual health and functioning can be challenging. Many people that decide to pursue sex therapy have had previous experiences of dismissal, shame, confusion, and discomfort when trying to seek help. We are sensitive to this reality and prioritize creating an inviting space regardless of cultural or religious background, gender identity, sexual orientation, and physical ability. At our practice, inclusivity is at the forefront of what we do. We understand and celebrate that each person's experience with sex and intimacy is unique. We use a holistic and systems approach when exploring our client’s sexual concerns; we understand that there may be biological, psychological, spiritual, cultural, environmental, and relational components to what our client’s are struggling with as well as to the solutions that will help our clients thrive. We are a queer-owned practice and proudly serve members of the LGBTQIA+, polyamorous and ethically non-monogamous, and kink communities.

Our providers are AASECT-Certified. This means that we had to complete extensive training and supervision in the art and science of sex therapy. Maintaining AASECT Certification means that we stay accountable to our ethical principles and keep up with the ever-evolving landscape of sexual healthcare.

 What is Sex Therapy?

Sex therapy is distinct, in it’s ability to bring direct focus to specific challenges related to sexual and relational wellness so that we can help you efficiently reach your goals. Like other forms of therapy at NRCW, sex therapy is trauma-informed and offers both opportunities to talk through concerns as well as learn and practice skills to improve your overall well-being. Whether you have concerns about your sexual health and functioning, sexual and gender identity, sexuality in the context of relationships with others, previous sexual trauma, or understanding of your own sexual wants, needs, and values, working with a Certified Sex Therapist at NRCW is a positive step toward finding peace and pleasure.

What Sex Therapy Is Not

Sex therapy at NRCW does not include any physical touch, romantic relationship, or sexual intimacy between therapist and client. Your therapist will maintain appropriate therapist-client boundaries and make space for discussion of sexual topics to your degree of comfort.

Sex therapy is not a place for further shaming! Many of us have come up in an environment where talking about concerns related to sexual functioning or sexual intimacy is taboo, sinful or dirty, or otherwise shameful. This means that many of us, regardless of age or life experience, still have questions about all things sexual:

“What is that body part called?”

“How often does a ‘normal person’ masturbate?” 

“What does an orgasm feel like?”

“Am I queer if I don’t have any queer sexual or romantic experiences?”

At NRCW, we believe that no question is too silly to ask. We will find the answers, together. 

Sex therapy is not a prescription for one type sexual lifestyle, nor does it demand engaging in any type of sexual behavior. We believe there isn’t just one way to have “healthy sexuality.” Instead, we help our clients explore how their sexual experiences feel in harmony with both their body’s needs and desires, as well as their emotional and mental well-being.

Additionally, while we can offer thoughtful, evidence-based recommendations for self or interpersonal touch exercises to practice outside of session, we never put clients in the position of choosing between their own sense of safety and doing their “therapy homework.”

 “When it comes to sex, the most important six inches are the ones between the ears.”

-Dr. Ruth Westheimer

Sex therapy can help you

  1.  Feel more confident in naming your sexual needs, wants, and boundaries with partners.

  2. Experience clearer and more harmonious connection between your body and mind during intimate moments.

  3. Access more sexual pleasure and playful energy.

  4. Experience a greater sense of self-acceptance and sexual freedom.

  5. Refresh and restore sexual connection with your partner.

Ready to make it happen?