Sex Therapy

Sex therapy supports individuals and couples with sexual difficulties and intimacy concerns.

It is confidential, non-judgemental and focused on practical change.

Lets find you a Sex Therapist...

Sex therapy addresses psychological, relational and emotional factors affecting sexual wellbeing. Therapists may also recommend medical assessment when appropriate.

What happens in sex therapy?

Sessions involve discussion, education and practical exercises to try at home. There is no sexual activity during sessions.

What can sex therapy help with?

Low desire or libido concerns
Erectile or arousal difficulties
Pain during sex

Confidentiality and safety

Choose a properly trained psychosexual therapist. Seek medical advice for pain, bleeding or sudden changes.

History of Sex Therapy

Sex therapy developed from psychology, counselling and sexual health disciplines. In the UK it is delivered by practitioners with specialist training and ethical standards.

Typical conditions that use Sex Therapy

Condition	Evidence	Notes
Attachment issues	strong	Sex therapy can address how attachment fears affect intimacy and trust, supporting closer connection with a partner.
Body image concerns	strong	Sex therapy helps when body image concerns interfere with intimacy, easing self-consciousness and rebuilding comfort and confidence in your body.
Erectile dysfunction	strong	Uses structured exercises like sensate focus to ease performance pressure and rebuild confidence and arousal during intimacy.
Intimacy concerns	strong	Directly addresses sexual and intimacy difficulties through tailored techniques, education and exercises for individuals or couples.
Intimacy difficulties	strong	Directly addresses sexual and intimate concerns, offering practical guidance and exercises to rebuild comfort and connection.
Libido concerns (supportive)	strong	Sex therapy directly addresses low desire by exploring arousal, communication and the physical and emotional factors dampening libido.
Low libido	strong	Targets the sexual difficulty directly, using structured exercises and education to rebuild desire, arousal and intimacy.
Low mood in men	strong	Supports men whose low mood is tangled with sexual difficulties or intimacy worries, easing shame and restoring confidence.
Menopause symptoms	strong	Supports changes in libido, intimacy and comfort during and after menopause.
Premature ejaculation	strong	Sex therapy uses structured exercises like the stop-start and squeeze techniques to build awareness of arousal and improve control over ejaculation.
Relationship conflict	strong	Where conflict centres on intimacy, it addresses sexual difficulties and mismatched desire that often spill into wider arguments.
Relationship stress (men)	strong	Sex therapy addresses intimacy and sexual concerns that can drive relationship strain in men, supporting open conversation and reconnection with a partner.
Sexual difficulties	strong	Sex therapy uses tailored exercises and education to directly address arousal, desire and performance concerns.
Sexual performance anxiety (supportive)	strong	Directly addresses the worries and unhelpful patterns around sexual function, using structured techniques to restore confidence and natural arousal.
Sexual wellbeing concerns (supportive)	strong	Specialist approach addressing concerns like low desire, arousal or pain directly, combining education and practical exercises to restore satisfying intimacy.
Difficulty reaching orgasm	moderate	Provides structured education and exercises addressing arousal, technique and the psychological barriers to reaching orgasm.
Family conflict	moderate	Where conflict centres on intimacy within a couple's family life, sex therapy can ease related tensions, though it is one part of wider support.
Low self-esteem	moderate	Supports self-esteem where it affects intimacy and body confidence.
Painful sex (dyspareunia)	moderate	Combines education, gradual exposure and exercises to address the physical and psychological drivers of pain during sex.
Parkinson’s support (adjunct)	moderate	Sex therapy can address the changes in desire and function that Parkinson's and its treatments may bring; it is an adjunct to medical care.
PCOS support (adjunct)	moderate	Sex therapy can support intimacy and confidence affected by PCOS symptoms, complementing rather than replacing medical care.
Perimenopause symptoms	moderate	Sex therapy addresses the lower desire, discomfort and intimacy concerns many women face as hormones change during perimenopause.
Peripheral neuropathy support (adjunct)	moderate	Where neuropathy affects sexual sensation or function, it offers a supportive space to address intimacy concerns; not a substitute for medical care.
PMDD support (adjunct)	moderate	Sex therapy can help couples navigate the changes in intimacy and desire that PMDD's cyclical symptoms often bring.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)	moderate	Sex therapy can help couples address the reduced desire and relationship strain that PMS sometimes brings in the days before a period.
Rheumatoid arthritis support (adjunct)	moderate	Sex therapy can help address intimacy difficulties linked to RA pain, fatigue and body image, supporting relationships alongside your medical treatment.
Vaginismus	moderate	Combines education, anxiety reduction and graded dilation to address the fear and muscle response, often involving the partner.
Post-surgery swelling support	limited	Sex therapy is only loosely related here, offering supportive guidance where post-surgical swelling affects intimacy; evidence is limited and it does not replace proper medical care.

Frequently asked questions

Do I attend alone or with a partner?

Both options exist. Decide with your practitioner based on goals and comfort.

Will I be given exercises?

Often communication tasks or practical strategies are suggested between sessions.

Is medical input involved?

It can be. Liaison with your GP or specialist is encouraged where relevant.