Sex Therapy in Los Angeles

The journey of seeking guidance from a sex therapist in Los Angeles is a significant step towards prioritizing your sexual health and overall well-being. Acknowledging the need for support in addressing intimate concerns can feel overwhelming, but it's a testament to your commitment to self-love and growth. As you navigate this process, finding a compassionate and skilled therapist who aligns with your needs is essential for beginning this healing journey.

What is sex therapy?

Sexual health encompasses a myriad of complex experiences deeply intertwined with our sense of self and our relationships with others. Societal pressures, past traumas, and daily stress can challenge your positive emotional and sexual well-being. Sex therapy offers a safe and supportive space to explore these concerns, addressing the biological, mental and emotional aspects of sexuality, intimacy, and identity. Whether it's navigating body image issues, enhancing self-esteem, or addressing related mental health concerns, this specialized therapy provides a holistic approach to creating positive sexual health.

As a sex therapist in Los Angeles, I have the privilege of working with individuals or partners, and I respect the challenges accompanying such a private matter. I utilize techniques like traditional talk therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and mindfulness activities to steer you toward healing and self-discovery. Additionally, I draw upon scientifically backed approaches such as somatic therapy, brainspotting therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) methods, each tailored to address your unique needs and experiences with care and empathy. Working together, we will find the most comforting approaches to your concerns.

Who is a sex therapist?

Sex therapy is counseling and guidance provided by licensed mental health professionals. I am a AASECT (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists) Certified Sex Therapist (CST) in Los Angeles who specializes in guiding safe and healing sexual experiences that align with your values and passions. I am also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). My experiences, both personally and professionally, allow me to evaluate, diagnose, and treat any sexual concerns you have in a manner that keeps you safe and comfortable. This process frees you to fully express your true self and realize the potential for loving, trusting, and intimate relationships. 

The foundation of sex therapy lies in creating a non-judgmental and empowering therapeutic environment where open communication and trust form the bedrock of healing. For some, working on sex therapy in Los Angeles in my office is preferred. However, the option to engage in virtual sessions in California, New Mexico, or Florida is available and may better suit your comfort and availability.  

The environment of sex therapy

Today's sexual culture can often confuse the natural and nourishing sexual experience, adding embarrassment and judgment to our perceptions. Former experiences and traumas further complicate healthy encounters.  

Beginning sex therapy involves becoming vulnerable, a feeling that most dislike. Navigating the realm of sex therapy requires a delicate approach rooted in empathy, compassion, and a deep understanding of the sensitivity surrounding these issues. 

Effective and non-judgmental communication is the heart of successful therapy and the basis for healthy sexual relationships. Part of the journey with a sex therapist is improving communication skills with yourself and your partner.   

I provide a confidential, safe, and nurturing environment in which to develop a sexuality plan individualized to your desires and needs and will work within your pace and preferences.  

What types of sexual challenges can therapy address?

Sex therapy addresses a diverse range of concerns, empowering individuals and couples to navigate their sexual experiences with confidence and resilience. 

For those who are uncertain or inexperienced, sexual education from a professional discusses anatomy and physiology while guiding a client to a better understanding of desires, boundaries, and sexual practices. Alongside building confidence, you will be encouraged to embrace healthy sexual exploration and learn about communication, experimentation, and the use of home play exercises while addressing concerns and anxiety.

Relationship and communication issues within partnerships may extend into all facets of the relationship with our loved ones. Creating new understandings between each other eliminates pretenses and frames the relationship with compassion, patience, and respect moving forward. You can grow and transform the connection to your partner and yourself using open hearts and minds. 

The scars of past experiences and trauma can echo through our sexual relationships. Sex therapy aids in processing those emotions and experiences to reclaim a healthy relationship with themselves in a safe and validating environment. My trauma-informed approach involves empathy and support while processing traumatic memories to move beyond the past and into a fulfilling future. 

Sexual compulsivity is often the result of underlying factors and habit patterns that have been formed to create this behavior. Sex therapists and their clients work together to identify hidden triggers and patterns that prompt this behavior, and in doing so, alternative healthy coping strategies can develop.

Moreover, partners of people with sexually compulsive behavior can benefit from support. Rebuilding a relationship marred by compulsive acts/ingrained habits includes sexual education, new attitudes about sex, and improved intimacy to heal and connect within and with your loved ones.

Differences in libido between partners can surface, creating unique challenges. When exploring underlying stressors like hormones, medical conditions, and lifestyle dynamics, one can further understand and appreciate the needs and experiences of your partner, thus deepening connection, respect, and intimacy.  

Pelvic pain from vaginismus, vulvodynia, endometriosis, and other physical sexual dysfunctions carries psychological and emotional challenges in addition to physical pain. As a sex therapist, my top concern is helping you cope with these challenges and alleviate both the emotional and physical aspects of discomfort. Providing holistic care, often in partnership with other medical professionals, can include suggestions for lubrication, stimulants, toys, and sex techniques to boost enjoyment and satisfaction. 

Sex therapy also extends to help erectile dysfunction and premature and delayed ejaculation. By providing education about the physical aspects of these conditions in conjunction with uncovering underlying factors and trauma, sex therapy can address both the physical and emotional aspects. Through supportive cognitive behavior therapy, sensation exercises, and strengthening communication skills, you find satisfying sexual experiences. 

What therapeutic techniques does sex therapy involve? 

In addition to talk therapy, certified sex therapists employ several evidence-based techniques to support positive sexual health. 

Somatic therapy - "Somatic" acknowledges the deep connection between our physical and emotional selves. When you feel like your mind and body are separate entities and something is holding you back, somatic therapy brings underlying beliefs into greater awareness by mindfully exploring the connections between physical sensations and feelings. The mind-body connection can create new behaviors and self-regulation practices.

Brainspotting - This process guides clients to discover specific brainspots, which are eye positions that link to emotions or unresolved issues. When past traumas affect your daily life, consciously or not, we often limit our current life without awareness of this connection. Brainspotting allows safe release and resolution of prior events without creating more damage.  

EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing treats traumas like abuse, as well as depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. Using gentle tapping, eye movements, or soothing sounds will stimulate both sides of the brain while focusing on memories, thoughts, or beliefs that cause distress. Your body can find freedom from the past as the rhythms of EMDR facilitate healing. 

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) - The use of ketamine, originally for pain management and anesthesia, now treats mental health. While partnering with a medical team to administer this medication, I guide the psychotherapy portion of this treatment. During a session, as the ketamine stimulates your brain to form new connections that influence stress and mood, I will support you as needed and later meet you for several sessions to review your experience and the understanding you gained. 

How do you know if a sex therapist in Los Angeles is right for you?  

Finding the right sex therapist is a profoundly personal journey rooted in trust, compassion, and compatibility. It begins with an open dialogue about your background, needs, and goals, ensuring that my sex-positive approach aligns with your individual experiences and preferences. 

Geographic location no longer limits access to sex therapy in Los Angeles, with telehealth options offering flexibility and convenience for clients across different states. Whether through in-person or virtual sessions, our therapeutic relationship serves as the cornerstone of effective sex therapy, fostering a sense of safety and empowerment for you with a program tailored to meet your unique needs and comfort.  

I welcome you to benefit from a complimentary 15-minute consultation to explore our compatibility in working together.  

How is sex therapy different from sex coaching?

Sex therapy focuses on addressing past experiences and traumas to support sexual healing and aims to diagnose and treat sexual challenges. Sex coaching emphasizes personal growth, empowerment, and skill enhancement related to sexual experiences. As a sex coach, I focus on the safe exploration of your own body to enrich your sexual experiences.  

I can guide you on your courageous journey toward reclaiming agency over your sexual health and well-being. I offer a safe space where healing begins, and your future is full of pleasure and fulfilling intimacy.

Whether you're seeking therapy or coaching, I offer services tailored to meet your needs, providing in-person and virtual sessions for clients in California, New Mexico, and Florida.