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The mental load, mounting resentments, and the monotony of daily life make sex feel like a chore.
Intimacy and sex therapy can help you rebuild the trust, reconnect with your partner and reignite the spark that brought you together in the first place.
Closeness is a biological necessity. Improve your connection by lowering your defenses so you can bring out the best in each other in just a few minutes a day with simple intimacy exercises.
Reigniting the passion in your partnership doesn’t require grand gestures or dramatic changes. It’s about small, everyday HABITS that nurture connection & intimacy.
Vulnerability is the antidote to the emotional walls that naturally build up over time.
Don’t let old patterns and unresolved issues stand between you & your partner. Sex and intimacy therapy will help you learn how to be open and free without fear of rejection. Book a introductory call to start reconnect with your partner today.
My husband now wants to cuddle
and we are enjoying a lot more physical contact naturally. Because we are closer now, we are having more sex!
True intimacy and a better sex life requires letting your guard down. Book a 15-minute call to see how sex therapy can help you strengthen your bond, no matter how disconnected you may feel.
The same adorable qualities that attracted you to your partner are now pushing you apart. You wonder if you’re even compatible. The idea of losing each other is heartbreaking. You miss your partner.
Your differences are actually the KEY to reignite your spark. Embracing and valuing each other’s uniqueness can foster admiration and respect. The contrast creates a sense of excitement and wonder.
Your differences are gifts to cherish, not problems to solve. Securely attached couples know how to leverage each other’s strengths and compensate for each other’s weaknesses. Life is better together.
Whether you are struggling with desire discrepancy, an emotional affair or just feel like ships passing in the night, sex and intimacy therpy can help you grow closer.
Reconnect with your partner.
Married. Engaged. Dating. Committed. Straight. Bi. Gay. Neurodivergent. Polyamorous.
– QUEER COUPLE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
DEBBIE CHERRY, LMFT
A sex therapy specialist helps couples address emotional and physical intimacy issues that impact their relationship. This includes concerns like low desire, mismatched libidos, performance anxiety, erectile dysfunction, painful sex, pornography use, and emotional disconnection. A specialist provides a safe, nonjudgmental space to improve sexual communication, rebuild trust, and explore ways to feel more connected, both emotionally and physically. Sex therapists also help couples navigate intimacy after trauma, parenting, health changes, or long periods of avoidance, using research-backed tools tailored to each couple’s needs.
Intimacy and sex therapy helps couples improve emotional closeness, physical connection, and sexual communication. It’s a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore concerns around desire, satisfaction, mismatched libidos, emotional disconnection, or physical intimacy after life transitions, trauma, or stress.
Whether you’re fighting often, feeling distant, or just want to grow together, relationship therapy gives you the tools to become better partners.
You can see more about my background and approach here.
Yes. Intimacy challenges are incredibly common, especially in long-term relationships. Stress, parenting, aging, health changes, unresolved conflict, or feeling emotionally distant can all impact physical connection. Therapy can help you understand what’s getting in the way and rebuild closeness at your own pace.
Often, stress, anxiety, or unresolved personal issues lead to miscommunication or avoidance, making it hard to be close. Working on self-awareness and engaging in guided exercises can help uncover these patterns and pave the way for healthier interactions.
Hourly rates for sex therapists can vary based on location, the therapist’s qualifications, and their level of experience. The investment for each couples therapy session ranges from $175 to $350 per 50-minute session, depending on the level of support you choose and your benefits. Most couples experience real momentum and clarity within just a few sessions. Many clients also use their HSA/FSA benefits or receive up to 50% reimbursement through their insurance provider. If you’re not sure what’s covered, I can help guide you through the right questions to ask on a free consultation call.
Coverage for sex therapy varies by insurance provider and the specifics of your plan. Some policies may cover sessions if the therapy is considered medically necessary, especially when it addresses issues that have a broader impact on mental health or overall well-being. However, other plans might exclude this type of therapy. Coverage depends on your specific plan and the policies of your insurer. Some plans reimburse a portion or all of the cost if the therapy is delivered by a licensed professional. It’s advisable to contact your insurance provider directly and discuss the details with your therapist’s office to understand your coverage options.
If you’d like to explore your options, I can help you understand what questions to ask your provider on a free consultation.
An intimacy therapist helps individuals and couples explore and enhance their emotional and physical connections. They work on improving communication, resolving underlying relational conflicts, and addressing personal barriers that may impede closeness. The therapist provides a supportive environment to explore vulnerability, rebuild trust, and develop skills for sustaining a healthy intimate relationship. Book a free consultation to discuss your options.
Not at all. While sex is often a part of the conversation, intimacy therapy also focuses on emotional vulnerability, trust, affection, communication, and touch. Many couples benefit from learning how to feel safe, seen, and desired again, inside and outside the bedroom.
Therapy equips you with actionable tools to handle real-life challenges. Whether it’s managing conflict, deepening emotional intimacy, or communicating needs more clearly, you’ll leave each session with something you can try right away. Over time, these small shifts add up to lasting change. To see what’s possible with couples therapy, check out the couples’ success stories here.
You might consider seeing a sex therapist if you are experiencing persistent difficulties with sexual function, arousal, or satisfaction. Other reasons include:
A sex therapist specializes in understanding both the physiological and psychological aspects of sexuality, making them a valuable resource for addressing these concerns. I specialize in intimacy breakdowns, emotional disconnection, parenting stress, high-conflict cycles, betrayal recovery, and navigating transitions like new parenthood or career changes. Common struggles include recurring arguments, feeling unseen or unsupported, loss of desire, or one person feeling like they’re carrying the emotional load alone. My approach helps couples stop repeating the same patterns and start creating real connection, so they can talk without fighting, listen without shutting down, and feel close again. If you would like to see some specific examples of how I help clients, grab the Connected Communication Toolkit here.
Couples therapy exercises are simple, practical tools to help you connect, communicate better, and shift old patterns. Some help you practice active listening, and some help build on success with physical intimacy. Others focus on emotional connection, like daily activities to better understand each other’s needs, or frameworks to build new habits that will bring you closer. Here’s a quick peek at what you’ll get:
These tools are designed to help you move from stuck and stressed to seen, supported, and secure. If you would like to see some sample couples therapy exercises, grab the Connected Communication Toolkit here.
True intimacy goes beyond physical closeness. It involves vulnerability, trust, and deep emotional sharing. This means being open about your feelings, fears, and desires, and having a partner who listens and supports you without judgment. True intimacy is built on mutual respect, consistent communication, shared experiences, and a commitment to understanding one another on both an emotional and physical level.
Improving vulnerability and communication skills can help couples increase emotional and physical intimacy. See more about effective couples communication here.
Rebuilding intimacy requires intentional effort and often a combination of personal reflection and couple-based activities. Key steps include:
Open Communication: Discuss feelings and needs honestly.
Quality Time: Dedicate uninterrupted time together to reconnect.
Shared Activities: Engage in activities or rituals that foster closeness.
Professional Guidance: Consider therapy or counseling to work through deeper issues.
Small Gestures: Reintroduce physical touch and small acts of affection to rebuild trust and closeness over time.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, as the ideal therapy depends on the individuals involved and the specific issues they face. Some commonly effective approaches include:
A thorough assessment by a qualified professional can help determine the most suitable approach for your situation. Therapists use structured sessions, homework assignments, and interactive exercises to engage both partners. The success of any approach also depends on the therapist’s skill and the couple’s willingness to actively participate in the therapeutic process.
While both professionals support sexual well-being, their approaches differ:
Sex Coach: Often focuses on practical advice and techniques to improve sexual performance, boost confidence, and explore new experiences. Their work is usually more skills-based and less about addressing deep-rooted emotional issues.
Sex Therapist: Is typically a licensed mental health professional who integrates psychological counseling with an understanding of sexual issues. They address emotional, relational, and sometimes physical aspects of sexual challenges, working through underlying issues that affect intimacy and sexual health. Choosing between them depends on whether you’re looking for skill enhancement or deeper therapeutic intervention.
Not sure which one is right for you? Start with a free 15-minute consultation to get clarity and support tailored to your relationship goals.
Yes. Nothing is off limits. Therapy is a judgment-free space to explore concerns like performance anxiety, pornography use, erectile dysfunction, painful sex, lack of desire, or cultural/religious shame around sex.
I offer a free 15-minute consultation if you want to talk more about working together.
It’s incredibly common for one partner to feel ready before the other, especially if they feel shamed, have significant trauma or have previously had a negative experience in therapy. While couples therapy works best when both people are involved, change can still begin with just one of you. If you start learning how to communicate more clearly, respond instead of react, and break old patterns, your partner will likely start responding differently too.
You’re welcome to start with a free 15-minute consultation, and I’ll help you figure out a path forward that feels supportive and doable for both of you.
Yes, therapy can be beneficial for a sexless marriage. A qualified therapist can help identify underlying issues, such as communication breakdowns, unresolved conflicts, or emotional disconnect—that may be contributing to the lack of sexual intimacy. By addressing these root causes, therapy can guide couples in reconnecting emotionally and exploring ways to reinvigorate their physical relationship. Techniques may include couple exercises, communication strategies, and individualized counseling to support both partners.
While a sexless marriage can have a significantly strain on a relationship, change is possible if both partners are committed to change. Key factors include:
If you are sick of feeling miles apart, book a free 15-minute consultation to get clarity and support tailored to your relationship goals.
Many couples start feeling more closer after the very first session. Noticeable changes often happen within 3 to 5 sessions when both partners are engaged and practicing the tools between sessions.
The duration of sex therapy varies widely depending on individual circumstances, the complexity of the issues, and the goals set by the client or couple. Some people may notice improvements in a few sessions, while others might require several months of regular therapy. It’s important to remember that progress in therapy is often gradual, and sustained change typically involves ongoing work both in and out of sessions.
Every couple is different, but many start to feel relief and make real progress within the first few sessions. I focus on practical tools you can apply right away so you don’t stay in therapy forever, just long enough to change your patterns for good. On average, couples attend therapy twice a month for 6 months, depending on how deep the patterns run and how consistently you’re able to practice the tools we cover. Some come in for a focused tune-up, while others choose to stay longer for ongoing support as they grow. My approach is designed to be efficient and actionable. You’ll leave every session with real insights and tools you can apply immediately. You can see client success stories, reviews and results here.
Yes. Many couples go through dry spells due to life stress, resentment, or changes in health or hormones. Therapy can help you reconnect emotionally, address unspoken issues, and explore intimacy in new ways.
I can help guide an empowering process to evaluate your strengths and challenges as a couple and come up with the best plan of action to support your goals. You can book a quick consultation here, and take the 1st step toward a deeper understanding & an action plan.
99% of the couples that I work with report that they have seen significant improvement in their relationship communication and connection. Couples therapy in general has a success rate of around 70%, according to data from the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).
Success often depends on a few key factors:
See what’s possible with couples therapy, and read about the couples’ success stories here.
It’s totally understandable to feel wary if therapy didn’t go well in the past. But not all therapy is the same. My approach is collaborative, actionable, and grounded in 20+ years of experience helping high-achieving couples reconnect without blame or overwhelm. We’ll set clear goals together, use proven strategies, and create a space that actually feels safe and productive. If you want to learn more about my approach, start with a free 15-minute consultation to get a feel for the process. Sometimes, a fresh approach makes all the difference.
That’s very common, and treatable. A good therapist will meet you where you are, respect your boundaries, and create a supportive environment. We’ll move at a pace that feels safe, and integrate tools for healing, trust-building, and connection as needed.
To get the most out of couples therapy, be honest and stay actively engaged both in and out of sessions. Set clear goals with your partner, reflect on progress, and show up ready to communicate openly about your feelings and experiences. Therapy is especially effective for challenges like communication breakdowns, conflict resolution, intimacy issues, parenting stress, and more. Follow through on any homework, check in with your therapist about what’s working, and celebrate small wins along the way. See what’s possible with couples therapy, and read about the couples’ success stories here.
Absolutely. Mismatched libidos are one of the most common reasons couples seek intimacy support. A trained therapist can help you uncover the emotional and physical factors contributing to this gap, and guide you in building a shared connection that works for both of you.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, Texas & Florida.
Relationship Coaching available worldwide.
Get actionable steps to communicate
effectively and bring out the best in each other.
