Therapy for Sex & Intimacy

Are you experiencing concerns related to sex and intimacy? Are these concerns creating relationship challenges? Are they related to concerns about your gender and sexuality? Are they related to parenting or family dynamics? Are they impacted by trauma, anxiety, addiction, or depression? If so, therapy for sex and intimacy at The Holding Space may be a fit for your needs. Read below to learn more!

What does therapy for sex and intimacy look like?

It is important to note that therapy for sex and intimacy is not the same as sex therapy, and not all clinicians who offer therapy for sex and intimacy are sex therapists. Processes and interventions within therapy for sex and intimacy may include:

~recognition of intersecting identities and their impacts on sex and intimacy

~identification of past and present external influences (family of origin, culture, religion, media, policy, etc.) related to sex and intimacy

~education on manifestations and impacts of negative biases (monogamism, transphobia, homophobia, heterosexism, etc.)

~exploration of internalized biases, shame, and self-esteem and their impacts on sex and intimacy

~acknowledgement of sex- and intimacy-related traumas and their impacts

~acknowledgement of life transitions (parenting, marriage, aging, etc.) on sex and intimacy

~acknowledgement of comorbid mental health issues (addiction, anxiety, depression, etc.) on sex and intimacy

What is therapy for sex and intimacy?

Therapy for sex and intimacy can be quite varied, depending on the treating therapist’s education, training, and credentials. However, it typically involves the therapist’s recognition that there is no “right” way to approach sex or intimacy, and that these things are natural, healthy parts of being human. Accordingly, therapists working with sex and intimacy often take an open and accepting approach to client’s unique sexual identities, expressions, and practices, and, if appropriate, address the impacts of negative biases such as monogamism, heterosexism, transphobia, etc. on client’s lives. A major priority in therapy for sex and intimacy is to help clients illuminate and address past and present issues, traumas, and dynamics specific to sex and intimacy (this includes sex and/or other sexual behaviors and physical and/or emotional intimacy) in their lives. At the same time, it is widely

understood that sex and intimacy can be impacted by broader life experiences and mental health stressors, such as depression, addiction, major life changes, etc., so these are often also explored with the therapist’s facilitation.

Here at The Holding Space, we help you identify the issues that are specific to you, and we offer an individualized, holistic approach to address them. This starts with welcoming our clients into a warm and accepting environment, which we believe is necessary for creating the trust and safety needed for any therapeutic work. Once these minimum requirements for the therapeutic relationship have been established, your therapist will work with you to clarify your sex- and

intimacy-related issues and explore how they are related to your past and present stressors, traumas, and/or other mental health concerns, as well as to your intersecting identities, your

relationship with yourself, and your developmental experiences. Your therapist may integrate different treatment modalities into this exploration, including, if appropriate, LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy.

Who does therapy for sex and intimacy work for?

Therapy for sex and intimacy can occur with an individual or a couple. Whether you are noticing changes, difficulties, or questions specific to sex and intimacy in yourself or your relationship(s), or you are simply interested in exploring these subjects more deeply, here at The Holding Space, we believe there is always a place for sex and intimacy in mental health and wellbeing. Accordingly, a wide range of topics may be covered within the therapy for sex and intimacy that we provide.

Common topics we discuss throughout therapy for sex and intimacy include:

~Gender and Sexuality

~Anxiety

~Depression

~Trauma

~Relationship Challenges

~Family Dynamics

~Parenting

~Addiction

~Codependency

~Illness

~Career

To find out if The Holding Space might be a fit for you and your unique needs, contact us for a consultation today!