What is Psychosexual Therapy (PST)?

Psychosexual Therapy (PST) or Sex therapy is a type of talking therapy that’s designed to help couples and individuals address medical, psychological or personal factors influencing couple’s or an individual’s sex life.

Who are Sex Therapists?

Sex therapists are qualified counsellors, doctors or healthcare professionals who have done extra training in helping people with problems relating to sex. London Couples Clinic’s Psychosexual Therapist is Christine Hanaie.    She is an accredited member of the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT) as well as BACP and UKCP. 

Why do people have PST or sex therapy?

Psychosexual Therapy (PST) or Sex Therapy can help to identify the root of sexual problems and develop a treatment strategy to overcome them.

If you have a sexual partner, it is often helpful to attend together. However you can be seen on your own or your partner can attend later sessions. (You can usually have a maximum of three individual appointments if you would like to convert to couples PST or couples counselling with the same counsellor at a later stage).

The origins of sexual difficulties might be physical, psychological, emotional, contextual – or a combination of these. If the problem is physical, you will be asked to see  your GP for medical tests before pursuing therapy, if you haven’t already done this.

Common sexual difficulties include:

Affection

Anorgasmia

Arousal difficulties

Concerns with body image

Difficulty ejaculating

Emotional needs

Erectile dysfunction (ED)

Fear of rejection

Infertility

Living with chronic illness

Impact of Menopause on Intimacy

Low self esteem

Low sexual desire, lack or loss of libido

Medical conditions

A new baby

Pain during sex or inability to have penetrative sex

Physical intimacy (psychological, emotional, operational)

Performance Anxiety

Premature Ejaculation (PE)

No sex marriage

Non-consummation of marriage

Sexual gratification

Sexual relationship

Sexuality (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Gender Queer, LGBTQ+)

Sexual orientation

Vaginismus (painful sexual intercourse)

Vulval/Vaginal pain