Sex Therapy Seattle
Anchor Light Therapy offers sex and intimacy therapy as a primary focus or in addition to couple or individual therapy to support clients with improving their overall well being, romantic relationships, and sex life. Our therapists offer private sessions in-person and via telehealth at our Uptown / Lower Queen Anne office. Your initial consultation is free.
Intimacy & Sex Therapy for Couples
Sex Therapists integrate aspects of couples therapy and sex therapy to increase awareness of relationship dynamics that impact desire and arousal and support clients in creating chance that promotes satisfaction individually and as partners. Therapists may discuss a persons knowledge of sexuality, relationship history, sexual health, and personal factors such as self-esteem, identity, and connection.
Therapy can support partners who tend to both sexual dysfunctions and the quality of the relationship to better understand the influences that contribute to sexual self-esteem and beliefs about sex. The couple therapy modality is recommended for partnered folks, as partners can sometimes contribute to sexual difficulties in unconscious ways.
What is Sex Therapy?
Sex therapy is a form of talk therapy focused on specific concerns related to sex & intimacy. There are many reasons couples and individuals seek sex therapy. Among these are feelings of anxiety that may result from dissatisfaction in physical intimacy or relationship problems that limit desire, pleasure, and passionate exchanges with their partners. Individual reasons such as exploring sex and gender identity, coping with medical diagnoses that impact sexual health, and working through shame or sexual trauma.
Sex therapy can be conducted by a trained mental health professional like an AASECT certified sex therapist, mental health counselor, and couple and family therapist. These clinicians may be trained in couples work, individual therapy, and sexual functioning and intimacy issues. Therapy sessions can be conducted in person or through online therapy within our practice. Our therapists are trained to work with various sexual orientations and sexual issues.
Issues & Sexual Concerns We Can Discuss
Health and Sex:
- Aging & Sexuality
- Chronic Illness, Disability, & Sex
- Sex Education
- Sexual Pain
- Vaginismus
- Orgasm Difficulties
- Premature Ejaculation
Sexual Healing:
- Sexual Trauma
- Sexual Shame
- Body Image & Sex
- Religious Sexual Shame
- Sexual Addiction
Relationship Healing:
- Problematic Sexual Behaviors
- Infidelity
- Couples Therapy
- Infertility Related Relationship Issues
- Desire & Libido Discrepancy
- Erotic Conflicts
Relationship Preferences:
- Monogamy
- Consensual Non-Monogamy
- Open Relationships
- BDSM
LGBTQQIA+ :
- Sexual Identity
- Gender Identity
- Gender Care
Seattle Sex Therapists
What to Expect in Sessions
The sex therapy process is similar to other psychotherapy practices. The initial therapy session will involve taking an extensive history of the concerns that brought you in. The sex therapist will evaluate both the psychological and physical components to form a diagnosis. At this stage, collaboration with the client(s) is key in developing a treatment plan. In some cases, the sex therapist may work closely with the client’s physician, nurse, or other therapist or counselor to establish the best quality of care.
When needed, the sex therapist may suggest a regular schedule of appointments. More specific or intensive therapy may involve homework exercises to be practiced in the privacy of the clients home. This can range from general communication exercises or specific sexual suggestions, depending on the progress of therapy and the client’s level of comfort.
In no instances and under no circumstances will the sex therapist observe a therapy client having sex nor engage in any kind of sexual activity with the client inside or outside the office.
PLISSIT Model
Sex therapy integrates the PLISSIT model with the therapist’s therapeutic approach to support the best treatment possible. The PLISSIT model stands for Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestion, and Intensive Therapy. Depending on the diagnosis, the sex therapist will educate about the issue and discuss possible options for change. This is typically supported by suggested reading material, educational audio-visuals, discussion with the therapist, attending workshops, or all of these processes. Sometimes having more information will allow the problem to resolve. Sometimes more specific or intensive therapy is needed.
Improve Your Sexual Desire
Partner and individuals struggling with low sexual desire can seek sex therapy to explore barriers to sexual intimacy. Research indicates desire can be dependent on the emotional connection to one’s partner or self, levels of stress in the environment, and physiological factors.
Therapeutic work considers these factors to educate new clients, normalize their experiences, and help define and create what a healthy sex life looks like for them. It is normal for desire to change throughout the lifespan, throughout the history of the relationship, and differ from person to person.
In session and out of session work may involve mindfulness practices, communication skills, self-esteem work, and exploring beliefs about sex or sexuality that may restrict ones ability to experience greater desire.
How much does a sex therapist cost?
Therapy creates a space for you to experience healing and progress in a way that can change your life. But of course, it’s also an investment of both time and finances. When you’re ready to commit to healing and transformation, here is what you can expect.
Standard individual session
(50 minutes) $175
Insurance
We do not participate with any insurance panels. Anchor Light Therapy Collective is considered an out-of-network provider.
As a courtesy to any individual clients who wish to utilize their insurance benefits, We are happy to verify your out-of-network plan benefits to tell you what portion, if any, may be covered by your health insurance provider.