What Is Sex Therapy? A Guide to Reconnecting With Sexual Wellbeing
Sex is a fundamental part of human life. It can be a source of connection, pleasure, identity, and healing—but for many people, it can also be a source of confusion, distress, or disconnection. That’s where sex therapy comes in.
Whether you're navigating changes in desire, recovering from trauma, feeling anxious about intimacy, or simply curious about how to feel more connected with your body and partner(s), sex therapy offers a safe and respectful space to explore what sex and intimacy mean to you.
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What Exactly Is Sex Therapy?
Sex therapy is a specialised form of talk therapy that helps people address concerns related to sexuality, sexual function, and intimacy. It recognises that sexual health is deeply connected to mental health, relationships, identity, and culture.
You don’t need a diagnosis or even a partner to benefit from sex therapy. It’s a space to unpack what’s going on underneath the surface—whether that’s shame, trauma, stress, relationship dynamics, medical issues, or just not feeling like yourself.
Who Is Sex Therapy For?
Sex therapy can support people of all genders, orientations, bodies, and relationship styles. Common reasons people seek sex therapy include:
Low or mismatched desire
Pain during sex
Performance anxiety
Difficulty with orgasm or arousal
Changes after childbirth, illness, or menopause
Healing after sexual trauma
Exploring identity, orientation, or kink
Feeling disconnected or unfulfilled in sexual relationships
What Happens in a Session?
Sex therapy sessions are similar to other kinds of psychological support: it’s a conversation, not an exam. There are no physical procedures or tests. A psychologist or therapist trained in sexual health will help you explore your concerns with warmth, curiosity, and respect.
We might explore:
Your personal history and experiences
Your beliefs, values, and cultural messages around sex
Emotional and relational patterns
Medical or physiological factors that could be playing a role
Tools for communication, mindfulness, and body awareness
Evidence-based approaches like CBT, ACT, psychodynamic therapy, and somatic work can all be adapted to support sexual wellbeing.
Why Pleasure and Connection Matter
Good sex isn’t just about function or technique—it’s about pleasure, safety, and being present in your body. Research shows that sexual wellbeing contributes to mental health, relational closeness, and even physical health (hello, oxytocin!).
But life stress, trauma, shame, and body image struggles can all get in the way. That doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you deserve support.
Sex therapy isn’t about fixing you—it’s about helping you feel more connected to yourself, your values, and your unique experience of sexuality.
Next Steps If you’re ready to explore your sexual wellbeing with compassion and curiosity, a psychologist trained in sex therapy can walk alongside you. At Salt & Earth Psychology, we offer inclusive, thoughtful support—free from shame, pressure, or assumptions.
