Sex and intimacy therapy
Sex and intimacy therapy.
Nothing you bring to this room will shock me. This is a space where you can say the unsayable.
What This Is
Psychosexual and Intimacy Therapy for Individuals and Couples
Sex and intimacy therapy also known as psychosexual therapy is a specialist form of talking therapy that helps individuals and couples explore difficulties around sex, desire, bodies, and connection. It does not involve any physical contact. Sessions are entirely talk-based.
Many people carry shame, confusion or distress around their sex lives for years before seeking support. Some have never spoken about it to anyone. This work provides a confidential, non-judgemental space to do exactly that, with a qualified therapist who is specifically trained in this area.
I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Relationship and Psychosexual Therapy, and I have worked as a Psychosexual Therapist within the NHS. I bring clinical rigour, warmth, and the kind of directness that makes it possible to talk about things that feel very hard to say.
Who it's for
This work is for you if…
- You have low or no sexual desire and do not know why
- Sex has become painful, difficult or something you avoid
- You have never been able to have penetrative sex or experience significant pain during it
- You struggle with arousal or orgasm
- You carry shame or anxiety around sex, your body or your desires
- Past sexual trauma is affecting your present relationships or sexual experiences
- There is a significant mismatch of desire between you and your partner
- You want to explore your sexuality or relationship with your own body more freely
- Intimacy and emotional closeness feel blocked or frightening
- You are coming out of a difficult relationship or recovering from infidelity
- You are LGBTQ+ and want to work with someone who will not make assumptions about your experience
Areas I Work With
- Low or absent sexual desire (low libido)
- Vaginismus and genito-pelvic pain disorder
- Erectile difficulties and ejaculatory concerns
- Arousal and orgasm difficulties
- Sexual shame, guilt and internalised stigma
- Sexual trauma and its impact on intimacy
- Desire discrepancy between partners
- Fear of intimacy and emotional closeness
- Compulsive sexual behaviour and sexual addiction
- Sexuality exploration and identity
- Body image and its relationship to sex
- Rebuilding intimacy after infidelity or relationship rupture
Common Misconceptions
What Sex Therapy Actually Is
A lot of people put off seeking help because of what they think sex therapy involves. Here is what it actually looks like.
Myth
Sex therapy works better when we can talk clearly. I’ll use the words you use.
Reality
Sessions are entirely talk-based. There is no physical contact of any kind.
Myth
You need to be in a relationship to benefit from sex therapy.
Reality
Sessions are entirely talk-based. There is no physical contact of any kind.
Myth
Sex therapy is only for people with a diagnosable sexual dysfunction.
Reality
Many people come with shame, confusion, avoidance, or just a sense that something feels off. You do not need a label to benefit.
Myth
You need to be in a relationship to benefit from sex therapy.
Reality
Sessions are entirely talk-based. There is no physical contact of any kind.
ADHD, Autism and Intimacy
When Neurodiversity Affects Your Sex Life
If you have ADHD or are autistic, difficulties with sex and intimacy can have roots that standard sex therapy does not always address. Sensory differences, emotional regulation challenges, and the impact of years of masking can all show up in the bedroom in ways that feel confusing, isolating, or shameful. Particularly when neither you nor your partner understands why.
I have lived experience of ADHD and I work in a neurodiversity-affirming way. That means I understand these dynamics from the inside, and I can help you make sense of what is actually happening rather than assuming something is wrong with you.
- Sensory sensitivities: smell, texture, touch or sound during sex can feel overwhelming rather than pleasurable, and that response is neurological, not a reflection of your feelings for your partner
- Difficulty with arousal or orgasm: ADHD affects attention and dopamine regulation, both of which are central to arousal. Difficulty staying present or reaching climax can be directly linked to how your brain works
- Rejection sensitivity dysphoria: the fear of getting intimacy wrong, being too much, or being rejected can make closeness feel more threatening than safe
- Emotional dysregulation: when conflict or stress spills into the sexual relationship, or when you shut down emotionally in ways that affect physical intimacy
- Hyperfocus and hyposexuality: ADHD can swing between intense sexual interest and complete disinterest, which is disorienting for both partners
- Shame and self-blame: years of feeling like your body or your responses are wrong, without understanding the neurological reasons why
- This is not a separate service. It is the same psychosexual therapy work, with a therapist who understands the neurological layer underneath it.
My Approach
How I Work
“Shame thrives in silence. The moment you say it out loud to someone who doesn’t flinch, something shifts.”
Charisse
My approach draws on psychodynamic, relational, and person-centred frameworks, adapted to the specifics of psychosexual work. That means we look at the whole picture: your history, your body, your relationships, your beliefs about sex, and how all of those things interact.
Some of what we work on will be exploratory and reflective. Some of it will be more practical, including exercises you can try between sessions if that feels appropriate. The pace is always yours.
I work with individuals of all genders, and with couples. I work with heterosexual, LGBTQ+, and non-monogamous clients. I do not make assumptions about your orientation, desires, or relationship structur
Before You Book
Is This the Right Fit?
This will work well if...
- You are ready to talk, even if it feels uncomfortable
- You want to understand what is driving the difficulty, not just fix a symptom
- You are open to some work between sessions if recommended
- You want a therapist who will be direct and not dance around the subject
This may not be the right fit if...
- You are expecting a prescriptive fix without any exploratory work
- You need a medical assessment. I can help signpost you
- You are in acute crisis. Immediate support would be more appropriate
Fees
Session Costs
- Individual Sex and Intimacy Therapy: £80 per session
- Couples Sex and Intimacy Therapy: £120 per session (weekday)
- Couples Sex and Intimacy Therapy: £130 per session (weekend)
- Free 15-minute consultation to explore whether this is right for you
- Sessions are available in person in London and online across the UK and internationally. Cancellation requires 48 hours notice or the full session fee applies.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Does sex therapy involve any physical contact?
No. Sessions are entirely talk-based. There is no physical contact of any kind. Psychosexual therapy is a talking therapy, not a physical one.
Do I need to come with a partner?
No. Many clients come as individuals. Whether you are single, in a relationship, or unsure, individual sex therapy can be very effective. If you want to come as a couple, that is also an option.
What if I find it hard to talk about sex?
That is completely understandable, and you would not be the first. We can take it slowly. You do not need to have the right words. I will ask questions and we will find our way into the conversation together.
Will you judge me for what I'll share?
No. I work with a wide range of sexual concerns, desires and experiences. Nothing you bring to this room will shock or disturb me. My role is not to evaluate your choices but to help you understand and work through what is troubling you.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on what you are working on. Some concerns resolve relatively quickly. Others, particularly those connected to trauma or long-standing patterns, benefit from more sustained work. We will review progress together regularly and you are always in control of the pace.
Do you work with LGBTQ+ clients?
Yes. I work with individuals and couples of all orientations and gender identities. I do not make assumptions about your experiences or relationship structure, and I am committed to offering a genuinely affirming space.
Do you offer online sessions?
Yes. I work both in person in London and online across the UK and internationally. Online sessions are via a secure video platform and are just as effective as face-to-face work for psychosexual therapy.
Related services
You might also be interested in
- Couples Therapy
- Neurodiverse Couples Therapy
- Individual Therapy
- Single Session Therapy