What is Sex Therapy?
What We Address in Sex Therapy
Whether you are single, dating, or in a long-term partnership, sex therapy can facilitate profound breakthroughs. Common areas we navigate include:
Desire Discrepancies: Bridging the gap when partners have mismatched libidos.
Cultural & Interracial Dynamics: Navigating differing cultural expectations, familial pressures, and how they impact intimacy.
Healing from Trauma: Utilizing trauma-informed, evidence-based care to process sexual trauma and release lingering shame or anxiety.
Communication & Exploration: Safely discussing kinks, fantasies, boundaries, and preferences to cultivate a more fulfilling sexual connection.
Performance & Anxiety: Reframing hangups around sex, porn consumption, or sexual performance to improve self-esteem and confidence.
A Sophisticated, Action-Oriented Approach to Intimacy and Connection.
Sex therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy designed to help individuals and couples address concerns related to sexual function, intimacy, and relationship dynamics. As an AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist serving Pasadena, the San Gabriel Valley, and the greater Los Angeles area, I provide a highly discreet, non-judgmental space to explore your desires, beliefs, and the cultural or relational barriers impacting your sex life.
A Collaborative and Holistic Approach
Our work begins with a comprehensive understanding of your unique background, relationship history, and goals. Because sexual wellness is deeply connected to overall health, I often collaborate with a trusted, curated network of specialists—including pelvic floor physical therapists, psychiatrists, and medical doctors—to ensure you receive truly holistic care.
Important Clarifications: What Sex Therapy is Not
To maintain the highest ethical and professional standards, it is important to clarify that sex therapy is strictly talk therapy. It does not involve any physical touch, sexological bodywork, or sexual surrogate work between the therapist and the client in the office. It is a secure, clinical environment dedicated exclusively to your emotional and psychological well-being.
If you are looking for a somatic-based, educational treatment, you learn more about sexological body work here: https://sexologicalbodyworkers.org/whatis
Examples of Homework / Interventions Used
Family History, Family Dynamics, and Sibling Relationships
Sexual History Timeline / Relationship History Timeline
Journaling Prompts
Communication Skills
Social Circle Exercise
Cognitive Behavioral & Processing Therapy Worksheets
Gottman’s Speaker Listener Technique (Communication Technique)
Role-playing conflict in Session
Conflict Resolution Tactics
Yes / No / Maybe Lists
Discussing kinks, fantasies, and preferences
Transformational Benefits of Sex Therapy
Sex therapy is a highly tailored experience for both individuals and couples. Whether you are currently partnered, single, or navigating the dating world, therapy provides the dedicated space to explore your desires and achieve tangible relational growth.
Common topics/issues that come up in sex therapy include:
Defining what sex means to you
Understanding your relationship to sex and your partner’s relationship to sex
Masturbation and porn consumption habits
Sexual and relationship history
Communication barriers as it relates to sex and intimacy
Anxiety and hangups around sex
Sex therapy can help by:
Resolving and processing sexual trauma
Helping you better understand and communicate feelings with your partner
Reduce shame, anxiety, and guilt around sex and porn use
Improving your relationship to your sexual self
Understanding how past trauma may be playing a role in beliefs about yourself
Bridging communication in interpersonal relationships
Reframing hangups and anxieties around sex
Improve self-esteem and beliefs about self
Finding compatible partners and how to attract potential partners
Being your most authentic self and showing up as the best partner that you can be
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Not necessarily. I am a mental health therapist with a specialty in sex and relationships. I treat general issues as well including anxiety, depression, life transitions, and family issues. You can start therapy for the first time with me and we’ll cater our sessions to what you need. Sometimes, there is more work to be done prior to starting sex therapy. This depends on a case by case basis and I can give you my clinical recommendations as we work together.
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Absolutely, sex therapy is for both individuals and couples. You can learn a lot about your own sexuality, preferences, and work through past trauma to attract the best fit for you.
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This will depend on your case. Sometimes I would recommend couples therapy first and then determine in individual therapy for each partner is necessary. Other times, I will recommend couples to pause relationship therapy and do individual therapy first, before returning to couples therapy. If you are uncertain, you can start with couples therapy and see what your therapist recommends. This may take 1-2 months before coming to an answer.
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Couples therapy can be beneficial for any couple at any stage. I see couples who are on the verge of breaking up and couples who would just like to learn communication tools. If you are finding yourselves having the same type of conflict to no resolve, therapy can help get out of that loop and redirect the conversation to a more productive one.
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Yes, I’ve seen couples who have not had sex with each other yet, despite being together for many years. As long as both parties are willing to introspect, do the work, and be kind to one another, I believe we can look for solutions and figure out what works. This is not a guarantee, but I think it’s worth trying. We may also need to redefine what sex means to each of you and understand the root reasons.
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Therapy requires a safe container for the most personal, vulnerable and private facets of your life. I am able to co-create this with you in both in-person and via telehealth.