Sex, Intimacy & Relationships
Sex, Intimacy & Relationships
Psychosexual Therapy & Support for Sexual Difficulties
Sex and intimacy can be some of the most meaningful – and at times, most challenging – areas of our lives. Many people experience difficulties with sex or intimacy at some point, yet it can feel hard to talk about, even in close relationships.
You might be seeking support for low libido, erectile dysfunction, pain during sex (such as vaginismus or dyspareunia), difficulties with arousal or orgasm, or the impact of trauma on your sexual experiences. You may be navigating mismatched desire within a relationship, struggling with sexual confidence, or feeling disconnected from your body or your partner. For others, intimacy may bring up anxiety, shame, pressure, or a sense of “shutting down.”
Psychosexual therapy offers a space to explore these experiences in a way that is thoughtful, respectful, and at your pace.
How I Work
My approach is primarily psychodynamic and relational, which means we look beyond symptoms to understand the deeper emotional and relational patterns that may be shaping your experience.
Our early relationships, past experiences, and unconscious beliefs can all influence how we experience sex, desire, closeness, and vulnerability. Sometimes difficulties in the present can be linked to earlier experiences of shame, neglect, boundary violations, or unmet emotional needs. At other times, patterns may show up in more subtle ways—such as pressure to perform, fear of rejection, or difficulty staying present in intimate moments.
Together, we begin to make sense of these patterns, bringing awareness to what may previously have felt confusing or overwhelming.
Alongside this, I may integrate CBT-informed approaches where helpful – particularly in working with anxious thoughts, performance anxiety, or unhelpful beliefs about sex, bodies, or relationships. I may also use body-based mindfulness approaches to help with relaxation and gently rebuilding your relationship with your body. This can support you in developing a different relationship with thoughts and emotions that may be contributing to distress or disconnection.
What Therapy Might Involve
Psychosexual therapy is not about “fixing” you, but about creating the conditions for greater understanding, safety, and choice.
Our work may include:
- Exploring your relationship with your body, desire, and sexuality
- Understanding patterns in relationships and intimacy
- Working with shame, anxiety, or self-criticism around sex
- Processing past experiences, including relational or sexual trauma
- Gently noticing what happens for you in moments of closeness or vulnerability
- Developing ways to reduce pressure and increase a sense of safety in intimate experiences
- Where appropriate, offering practical strategies or exercises to support change outside of sessions
We move at a pace that feels manageable for you. There is no expectation to share anything before you feel ready.
A Safe, Non-Judgemental Space
Talking about sex can feel exposing, especially if your experiences have been shaped by shame, confusion, or difficult past experiences. In therapy, you are met with warmth, curiosity, and respect.
I offer a space that is inclusive, trauma-informed, and sex-positive, where all aspects of your identity and experience are welcome. This includes working with individuals and couples from diverse backgrounds, relationship styles, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
Who This Might Be For
You might benefit from psychosexual therapy if you are experiencing:
- Low or fluctuating libido
- Erectile or performance difficulties
- Pain during sex
- Difficulties with arousal or orgasm
- The impact of trauma on intimacy or sexuality
- Mismatched desire in a relationship
- Anxiety, shame, or avoidance around sex
- A sense of disconnection from your body or partner
You don’t need to have a clear “problem” to begin therapy – sometimes a sense that something doesn’t feel quite right is enough.
Wherever you are in your journey, counselling and psychotherapy can certainly prove beneficial. If you’d like to find out more about the therapy services I provide and how they could be of use, get in touch with me today to see how I can help.
