Sex Therapy at IEG
Our mission at Integrative Empowerment Group is to create a space that affirms diversity, empowers individual expression, and promotes integrative health. In addition to mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual heath, sexual health is an important component of our overall well-being. Discussing sexual health, sexual functioning, and intimacy concerns can be a challenging experience, especially if you are unsure that your diverse identities and experiences will be understood and validated by your provider.
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IEG’s team of sex therapists make it their mission to address the sexual health concerns of all people. We start with our clinical experience providing affirming therapy to people of color, LGBQ, Trans*/GNC, Kink/BDSM, and Poly/Non-mono communities and integrate specialized training in sexual health concerns. We actively engage in considering how sexual health impacts diverse and intersecting identities, bodies, relationship orientations, erotic interests, and acknowledge that actively addressing these concerns is necessary to removing another layer of oppression. We make it our business to create a safe and affirming environment where our clients are free to truly be all of who they are without fear of being judged, pathologized, or “othered”.
Sexual health concerns are common and often go unacknowledged and untreated. Some concerns are life-long while others may result from a significant life event. Changes in physical health, medical diagnoses/treatment, stress levels, mental health concerns, medical/social transition, relational conflict, traumatic events, and life events can all cause changes in sexual functioning. We collaborate with our clients and other health providers to determine the source of a concern and solutions that work best for you.
Common concerns include, but are not limited to painful sex, erectile difficulties, differences in desire, difficulty with orgasm, premature ejaculation, changes in desire, changes following medical procedures/treatment/surgery, and changes during transition.
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If you are interested in working with a provider trained in sexual health concerns please let us know in your initial appointment request information. IEG providers currently trained in sexual health concerns include
S. (Fitz) Fitzgerald, LMSW, Lindsay Matthews-Naumann, LMSW, CST & Radha Bhatt, LMSW
NOTE:
There are often misconceptions about what a sex therapist does as part of their therapeutic work with clients and what training is required to practice sex therapy. All sex therapists are licensed mental health professionals with a degree in social work (LMSW), psychology (PhD, PsyD), or psychiatry (MD) who have sought additional post-graduate training in supporting people struggling with sexual health concerns/difficulties. Certified Sex Therapists (CST) have completed the required educational training, supervision, and clinical experience required by The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). IEG’s sex therapists have completed the required educational training and are currently being supervised by AASECT Certified Sex Therapists as they work towards their own certification.
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Sex therapists work with individuals and our couples to help resolve sexual health concerns. We assess all areas of a client’s life and collaborate with other medical providers to rule out or address physiological/medical concerns that can be contributing to the problem. We provide sexuality education, support with relational and emotional concerns impacting functioning, and guide clients in developing skills and techniques to address their concerns. Sex therapy does not involve sex, sexual touch, or physical examinations of any kind. Just like traditional therapy for mental health concerns, sex therapists and clients talk about the client’s concerns and assess the situation through questions, descriptions of the problem, and collaboration with other medical providers. Certain treatment approaches and interventions may involve activities or exercises for the client to try in the privacy of their home, but these exercises never take place in a therapist’s office.