What is sex therapy? Do you touch clients? Do you do any kind of sex work with clients?

As a licensed sex therapist, I specialize in helping people build healthy, fulfilling, and authentic intimacy. Talking about sex can feel intimidating, but I am focused on making those conversations easy, open, and healing.

Think about sex therapy as a type of talk therapy that helps you unpack, diagnose, and address the issues you are experiencing. Whether you are dealing with low desire, physical discomfort, or recovering from past trauma, I am here to support you.

My practice is inclusive and affirming of all bodies, backgrounds, and relationship models, including LGBTQIA+, kink, and non-monogamous dynamics. Together we will use practical tools, therapeutic techniques, educational resources, and reflective, eye-opening conversations to help you feel confident and reconnect with your body.

Sex therapists pursue specialized sexual health education, have had supervision under an AASECT-certified sex therapist, pursue continuing education, and have undergone a Sexual Attitudes Reassessment (SAR). I worked with the Sexual Health Alliance to pursue my education and get my SAR. I also pursued ongoing training and certification with Therapeutic BDSM.

How to Know if Sex Therapy Is Right for You

Intimacy is complicated, and often the narrative surrounding it is built by a broken system of shame, guilt, and trauma. For many, our first conversations about sex start in school with sex ed classes, which promote abstinence and use fear tactics regarding STDs and pregnancy. Problems can also stem from relationship stress, past trauma, body image issues, mental health, chronic illness, or even medication side effects.

If any of the following sound familiar, sex therapy might be a great fit for you:

• Low or non-existent sex drive

• Mismatched sex drives in your relationship

• Pain during sex (dyspareunia)

• Difficulties orgasming (anorgasmia)

• Erectile dysfunction (ED)

• Premature ejaculation (PE)

• Feelings of embarrassment, shame, or guilt

• Confusion around identity and orientations

• Sexual trauma from childhood or adulthood

If you relate to any of these, know you are not alone. In fact, it is far more common than you might think. Studies show that roughly 31% of men and 43% of women report some form of sexual concern, citing concerns such as low sexual desire, physical discomfort, and performance issues.

Do You Touch Clients During Sex Therapy or Do Any Kind of Sex Work?

No, absolutely not. As an AASECT-certified sex therapist, I adhere to a strict ethical code. Sex therapy is strictly mental health therapy, with no sexual contact, touch, or interactions between therapist and client.

Sex therapy is no different from traditional psychotherapy in terms of boundaries and privacy. Our work can only occur through open, supportive, judgment-free sessions.

My role is to help you explore the mental, emotional, and physical aspects of your sex life and intimacy through dialogue, educational resources, therapeutic exercises, and clinical guidance. While I may provide you with practical exercises and techniques related to sexuality, these should be done on your own time, on your own or with a consenting partner.

I believe in the importance of working with the body for all survivors of trauma, especially sexual, and how powerfully healing touch can be within a therapeutic context. So I am happy to refer people to professionals who can provide healing touch and collaborate with any professionals you are already working with. Please ask me about Therapeutic BDSM - a technique where therapists collaborate with professional body workers - if this is something you’d like to know more about.

What to Expect During a Sex Therapy Session

Your first sex therapy session can be daunting, but it does not need to be. My goal is to start at a pace that feels comfortable for you, establishing trust in our therapist-client relationship first. We will begin by talking through your background, your goals, and your concerns before jumping into the big issues.

From there, sessions will look very much like traditional mental health therapy, but with a focus on intimacy, supported by my unique sexual health education and experience. We may explore emotional or mental blocks you are experiencing, learn new ways to communicate with your partner, or unpack unhelpful beliefs about sex. Between sessions, I may offer light homework, like reading, practical exercises, or communication prompts for you to try in the comfort of your own home, at your own pace.

I also provide groups that work with sexuality (insert hyperlink here to pleasure and play). In this small, private, online group, participants will establish community values and guidelines to create safety and groundedness, then embark on 90-minute sessions where psychoeducation will be shared before practicing a group therapy exercise focused on shared experiences (again, no sexual contact or exposure will be made).

Additionally, I provide workshops ( massage with a twist hyperlink) where partners can practice communication, exercises, and techniques while guided by myself and a co-host who is a licensed massage therapist. These 4-hour workshops will never involve touch from me and do not include nudity or engagement with private parts.

Who I Work With

Sex therapy is not a one-size-fits-all experience. I work with clients at any stage of their journey or relationship status. Whether you are single, monogamous, in an open relationship, or polyamorous, sex therapy can help you better understand your body and desires, reconnect to, be present, and receive pleasure, heal from past experiences, and communicate your needs to others.

I work with clients individually and with couples or partners who want to bridge the gap in their sex drives, rebuild intimacy after a breach in trust, explore their sexual identities and orientations, or learn how to communicate effectively without feeling awkward or defensive. Whether you come on your own or with a partner, my goal is to create an affirming space where everyone feels heard.

As an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist, I offer a safe, knowledgeable space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and gender-nonconforming individuals and relationships. If you are navigating coming out, undergoing a gender transition, exploring your asexual or aromantic identity, or simply looking for a non-judgmental therapist, you are welcome here.

Call Grow with Flo Counseling Today

You deserve to feel comfortable, confident, and satisfied in your body and intimate relationships. Do not feel like you have to figure it out all by yourself. I am here to help.

If you are interested in learning more about sex therapy, contact me for a free 20-minute Discovery Phone Call. We can discuss your questions and explore options for working together.