Sex Therapy in London

• Been avoiding dealing with sex and intimacy issues? 
• And it’s eroding not just relationships, but your self-esteem?
•  Or even your identity and ability to cope?

Sex and intimacy problems

Sexual issues can be extremely lonely. We can feel too ashamed to talk to loved ones, or to even admit the size of the problem to ourselves. Instead, we can turn to unhelpful behaviours to avoid things, or end up depressed. Psychosexual therapy can help. 

What is psychosexual therapy?

Often just called 'sex therapy', it's psychotherapy for individuals and couples to explore sex related issues. 

Nothing you tell your psychosexual therapist will be shocking or shameful to them. Sex therapy offers the liberating experience of finally talking to someone who understands.

What issues can sex therapy help with?

A psychosexual therapist creates a safe, confidential space to work on issues like:

• performance problems
• inability to climax
• intimacy issues
• loss of desire
• sexual anxiety and phobias
• sexual identity issues
• navigating intimacy postpartum
• sex and love compulsion
• trauma-based issues
• sex drive differences in relationships
• sex after illness or disability

But how can talking about my sexual problems help? 

Most sex problems have a psychological link. In some cases it's just that our struggles with intimacy are affecting our moods. In others, the root of the issue can be mental and emotional.  

We also have to admit to a problem in its entirety if we want to find real solutions. Talking to a counsellor helps you get clear on just how much a physical issue with sex is also affecting other areas of your life.

And sex therapy can also be practical, helping you set and achieve goals for things like physical checkups and self-care, as well as deal with co-occuring psychological issues like addictions or anxiety. 

What is a session with a sex therapist like? 

A proper sex therapist does not sit in on your bedroom sessions. Psychosexual therapy instead functions like other forms of talk therapy. Your therapist is there to listen, reflect back, and ask insightful questions. They help you see things in a new light, and to process experiences you couldn't navigate alone. 

If you are attending sex therapy as a couple, your therapist also helps you to communicate, and decide on new ways forward together. You might be given sex therapy exercises to do betwen appointments. 

The benefits of sex counselling

• be more in tune with yourself, your body, and your sexual desire
• stop the endless feelings of shame and guilt
• learn better ways of communicating  about sex and intimacy
• find ways forward in life and in the bedroom
• take away practical tools to cope with your thoughts and emotions.

Help with your sex life – the Harley Therapy™ approach 

All psychosexual therapists at Harley Therapy have extensive training and experience in helping clients with sexual problems. They are happy to work with your unique issues at a pace you feel comfortable with, and work sensitively with your sexual preferences, gender identity, and/or religious and cultural background.

Sex therapy at Harley Therapy London

All three of our central London clinics offer sex therapy for individuals or couples. Choose from our main therapy clinic on Harley Street in W1, our rooms at London Bridge (SE1) or accessible therapy rooms near Liverpool Street (EC2).

If you’re unable, or prefer not to come for therapy in person, online therapy is another way to seek support from an accredited therapist with Harley Therapy. All therapists offer online sessions using platforms such as Skype, Facetime, Zoom, etc. Therapy sessions last 50 minutes and our fee structure is very simple.

Whether looking for a face to face or online appointment the booking process options are the same. Call our experienced support team to discuss your options or use our online booking form to try your first therapy session.

Prefer a full psychological assessment first? Book a session with a private consultant psychiatrist who can provide a comprehensive overview of your mental health. 

Further reading for sex and psychosexual problems

• Do I have a Normal Sex Life?
• Sex Partners - How Many is too Many?
• Sex Compulsion and Counselling: Are you Hooked?
• Pornography overuse -  How Counselling Can Help
• Vicki Ford, 'Overcoming Sexual Problems - A Self-Help Guide' (2005). 

View the Experts

Issues for Sex Therapy

• Loss of desire
• ED
• Premature issues
• Arousal problems
• Painful intercourse
• Lack of pleasure
• Avoidance
• Compulsions
• Overuse of explicit material