Psychosexual Therapy in Essex and Online

Sexual difficulties are common, but they can still feel very personal, confusing or difficult to talk about.
Psychosexual therapy offers a confidential and non-judgemental space to explore concerns about sex, intimacy, sexual functioning and desire.
I work with individuals, couples and people in other relationship structures, both online and in Essex.
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What can psychosexual therapy help with?​
People come to psychosexual therapy for many different reasons. You may have experienced a difficulty for a long time, or something may have changed recently.
I work with concerns including:

• Low or reduced sexual desire

• Differences in desire between partners

• Pain during penetration

• Vaginismus and difficulties with penetration

• Erectile difficulties

• Premature or delayed ejaculation

• Difficulties reaching orgasm

• Changes in arousal or sexual response

• Sexual anxiety and performance concerns

• Loss of sexual confidence

• Avoidance of sex or intimacy

• Difficulties reconnecting sexually after illness, pregnancy, menopause or other life changes

• Shame, embarrassment or worries about sexual interests

• Body image and its impact on sex

• Sexual communication within relationships​

You do not need to know exactly what is causing the difficulty before coming to therapy.
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Understanding what is happening​
Sexual difficulties rarely have only one cause.
Physical health, medication, hormones, stress, relationships, previous experiences, beliefs about sex, body image, anxiety and life circumstances can all affect sexual wellbeing.
Psychosexual therapy therefore looks at the whole picture rather than treating a sexual difficulty as simply a problem with the body or a problem within a relationship.
Where appropriate, I may also encourage you to speak with your GP or another healthcare professional so that physical or medical factors can be considered alongside the therapeutic work.
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What happens in therapy?​
We begin with an Initial Consultation. This gives us an opportunity to talk about what has been happening, what you would like help with and whether I may be the right therapist for you.
The Initial Consultation lasts 60 minutes and costs £80 per person.
If we decide to continue working together, we can explore your history and the factors that may be contributing to the difficulty, and develop a therapeutic plan together.
Psychosexual therapy is not simply about talking. Depending on what you are experiencing, therapy may include education, exercises, behavioural approaches, communication work and activities to complete between sessions.
You will never be asked to perform sexual activity during a therapy session.
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Therapy that reflects you
There is no single definition of a healthy or satisfying sex life.
I work affirmatively with people across different sexualities, gender identities, relationship structures, bodies, sexual interests and ways of expressing intimacy.
Therapy is not about making you conform to somebody else's idea of what sex or relationships should look like. The aim is to understand what matters to you and help you move towards a sexual and intimate life that feels comfortable, consensual and fulfilling.
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Individuals and relationships
You can attend psychosexual therapy individually or with a partner or partners.
Sometimes a sexual difficulty primarily affects one person but has an impact on the wider relationship. At other times, differences in desire, expectations or communication have developed between people.
We can consider both the individual and relational aspects of what is happening.
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Problematic pornography or sex use​
If your main concern relates to pornography or sexual behaviour that feels difficult to control, distressing or inconsistent with your values, I offer specialist therapy for this separately.
Find out more about Problematic Pornography and Sex Use Therapy
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Taking the first step​
Talking about sex can feel daunting, particularly if you have never discussed the difficulty with anyone before. You do not have to explain everything at once.
The first appointment is an opportunity for us to begin understanding what is happening and what you would like to change.
Get in touch to arrange an Initial Consultation