What Is Sex Therapy…
And How Is It Different From Other Types of Therapy?
Many people have heard of sex therapy, but few really know what it is—other than something that might feel a little intimidating or taboo. If you're wondering whether sex therapy is right for you, or how it's different from couples therapy or general mental health therapy, you're in the right place.
Let’s demystify it.
So, What Is Sex Therapy?
Sex therapy is a specialized form of talk therapy that helps individuals and couples address concerns related to sex, intimacy, desire, and connection. It focuses on your sexual and relational well-being—without judgment, pressure, or shame.
That might include:
Low desire or mismatched libidos
Pain or discomfort during sex
Communication challenges about intimacy
Navigating sexual identity or orientation
Rebuilding intimacy after trauma or life transitions (like menopause, parenthood, or aging)
Exploring kink, non-monogamy, or alternative dynamics in a safe and intentional way
Sex therapy is not about having sex in the therapy room (that’s a common myth!). It’s about having open, supported conversations that help you move through shame, better understand your body, and feel more confident and connected in your intimate life.
How Is Sex Therapy Different From Couples Therapy?
While there’s often overlap, here’s how they differ:
🧠 Focus of Treatment
Sex Therapy: Centers on sexual concerns—solo or partnered—and often includes education, exploration of values, and emotional or physical barriers to intimacy.
Couples Therapy: Focuses on the overall health of the relationship—communication, conflict, trust, boundaries. Sex might come up, but it’s not always central.
🛠️ Tools and Techniques
Sex therapists are trained to talk about anatomy, desire, arousal, orgasm, and other explicit topics with professionalism and care. They may suggest at-home exercises, body awareness practices, or psychoeducation that’s more specific to sexuality.
Couples therapists may work on emotional closeness, attachment patterns, or conflict resolution as a path to overall relational healing.
👥 Who It’s For
You can see a sex therapist as an individual or as a couple (or polycule!). You don’t need to be in a relationship to work on your sexual well-being.
Couples therapy usually involves two people in a relationship, working on the dynamics between them.
What Happens in a Sex Therapy Session?
Sessions are just talk—safe, shame-free, and led by you.
You might:
Reflect on your relationship to desire, pleasure, and identity
Explore past messages you received about sex, and how they affect you now
Talk through challenges like low libido, orgasm difficulty, or body confidence
Learn how to communicate about needs, fantasies, or boundaries
Get tools and exercises to try between sessions
You won’t be pressured to perform, overshare, or move faster than you're comfortable.
The goal is to help you feel more at home in your body, more connected to yourself, and more empowered in your relationships.
When Should You Consider Sex Therapy?
Sex therapy can be helpful if you’re:
Feeling disconnected from your body or pleasure
Avoiding sex, or feeling pressure around it
Having sex, but it doesn’t feel great
Curious about new ways of relating or exploring, and want guidance
Struggling to communicate about sex with your partner(s)
Sexual wellness is part of your mental and emotional health. You deserve support that includes the whole of who you are.
Ready to Start?
As a sex therapist, I specialize in working with people navigating big life transitions—like menopause, aging, relationship shifts, or exploring kink dynamics in midlife. My practice is compassionate, affirming, and tailored to you.
If you're curious about what sex therapy could offer, reach out here or book a free consultation.
Let’s talk about what pleasure, confidence, and intimacy can look like for you.
—
Dr. Catie Buttner
Sex Therapy for Midlife & Beyond
📍 www.drcatiebuttnertherapy.com
✨ Helping women, couples, and kink-affirming communities reconnect with their desire