Problems I treat in my practice:

Ways That Psychotherapy Can Improve Your Relationship

In therapy, my psycho-educational approach will help teach both you and your partner the tools to have, and manage a successful relationship. A positive working relationship can be defined in many ways, starting with good communication. Talking more and arguing less is a good start. Although, it is equally important to discover how to achieve true intimacy in order to have a better and more passionate love life. A good relationship starts when you learn about what you desire in your relationship and how to get it through mutual agreement. By seeking psychotherapy you and your partner will have a mentor to guide communication, discuss unspoken issues, and begin to rebuild the mutual trust that a relationship depends on.

What is Sex Therapy?

Sex therapy is a field of specialization within the psychological community that focuses on problems related to sex and relational issues. Many people are not fully educated about sex or their sexuality or what is normal verses abnormal. Often, sociocultural factors such as upbringing, religion or family morals have affect on our sexual experiences and expression. Sex therapy will help you identify factors that may be inhibiting your marriage or relaionship with a partner.

Patterns of sexual behaviors are examined in order to provide clues regarding functioning. In relationships, discussion of gender roles and expectations often help to clarify how sex is a powerful vehicle that can bring people closer together or be used as a withholding device to gain back loss of control.

Why Sex Therapy? What about medications like Viagra, Cialis or Avlimil?

The truth is while some individuals experience success with medications alone, most do not. For example, in order for Viagra to give a man an erection, he must experience desire. If one is suffering from a sexual desire disorder, an erection is unlikely even with medication and sex therapy may be the only solution. While some sexual dysfunctions are purely physical, a large component is psychological and that takes education and support to understand the root of the problem in order to diminish the effect. Medications can mask the issues but overcoming the true cause can unlock true satisfaction and allow one to feel free to perform without the anxiety of sexual inadequacy.

What training does a certified Sex Therapist receive?

A therapist that is certified as an expert in clinical sex therapy has been specifically trained in sexual and reproductive anatomy and physiology, developmental sexuality, gender related issues such as gender identity disorders and varieties of sexual orientation and gender identities. Medical factors influencing sexuality including illness, disability, drugs, pregnancy and pregnancy termination, contraception and fertility, sexually transmitted diseases and safer sex practices. Sexual abuse and its effect on relationships and families. Abnormal sexual behaviors, hyper-sexuality, and sexual dysfunctions. Substance abuse and its effect on sexuality.

What are the advantages of combining sex therapy with relationship and marriage counseling?

By utilizing the combined expertise of a therapist with a focus on sex therapy and marriage and family therapy, patients are provided with an unbiased and modern view of common problems and a wider range of experience in which to draw from for solutions to relationship and sexual problems that are often closely associated.

Working with a marriage counselor, couples counselor, or divorce mediator independently may limit the scope and solution to the problems within the relationship. A therapist with combined expertise and experience provides clients with unabridged options for solutions to common relationsip issues without bias.

Is my privacy protected?

Yes, your privacy is protected at all times. All licensed therapists have a duty to protect the privacy of their clients. Certain exceptions are required under threats of suicide or homicide. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 it is required that personally identifiable health information be protected during collection, storage and transmission of such information. In addition, the patient must authorize the dissemination of such information to authorized third parties. While no personally identifiable health information is collected through this web site other than what you may provide in email, our email system is protected through encryption and there is a posted statement of privacy applicable to online services and in-office therapy.