Sex Esteem

Trauma

Psychoeducation and Somatic Interventions for Sexual Trauma

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on April 18, 2025

Survivors of non-consensual sexual experiences need curated sex therapy for trauma responses and to create a new foundation for consensual sexual relationships.

Survivors of non-consensual sexual experiences need curated sex therapy for trauma responses and to create a new foundation for consensual sexual relationships.

Trauma

How to Thrive in Relationships After Sexual Trauma

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on April 6, 2025

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. How can we make sure that survivors can lead happy, healthy, and satisfying sex lives after sexual trauma?

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. How can we make sure that survivors can lead happy, healthy, and satisfying sex lives after sexual trauma?

Sex

Endometriosis Awareness Month: Navigating Pain and Pleasure

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on March 17, 2025

Endometriosis impacts physical, mental, and sexual health. This Endometriosis Awareness Month, let's bring to light what is so often forgotten: the importance of pleasure.

Endometriosis impacts physical, mental, and sexual health. This Endometriosis Awareness Month, let's bring to light what is so often forgotten: the importance of pleasure.

Mating

Swiping With Agency: Beating Dating App Fatigue

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on February 4, 2025

Dating apps have made dating easier and more accessible for people. However, they leave many feeling burnt out.

Dating apps have made dating easier and more accessible for people. However, they leave many feeling burnt out.

Adolescence

Helping Teens Navigate the Uncertainties of Modern Love

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on January 11, 2025

Social media, evolving attitudes, and mental health challenges are having profound effects on teens' romantic relationships. A new book explores teen love and how parents can help.

Social media, evolving attitudes, and mental health challenges are having profound effects on teens' romantic relationships. A new book explores teen love and how parents can help.

Relationships

How to Prepare Parents and Teens for First Loves

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on December 26, 2024

Author Lisa Phillips discusses what parents can do to prepare themselves and their children for first love.

Author Lisa Phillips discusses what parents can do to prepare themselves and their children for first love.

Sex

Redefining Masculinity: A Path to Better Health

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on December 9, 2024

Due to pressures on men to adhere to “masculine” ideals, their health suffers. It is crucial for therapists to open up conversations about health with men who are in psychotherapy.

Due to pressures on men to adhere to “masculine” ideals, their health suffers. It is crucial for therapists to open up conversations about health with men who are in psychotherapy.

Health

Taboos in Treating Men's Sexual, Erectile, and Mental Health

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on November 19, 2024

Societal expectations can create barriers that prevent men from seeking out the mental, physical, and sexual help they need. Clinicians can help break these down.

Societal expectations can create barriers that prevent men from seeking out the mental, physical, and sexual help they need. Clinicians can help break these down.

Relationships

Infidelity, Monogamy, and Consensual Non-Monogamy: Key Findings

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on October 14, 2024

Clinicians should be aware of different relationship structures that their clients are involved with to create a welcoming, supportive, and open environment for all.

Clinicians should be aware of different relationship structures that their clients are involved with to create a welcoming, supportive, and open environment for all.

Sex

Recent Research Encourages Therapists to Talk About Consent

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on August 19, 2024

With choking on the rise as a sexual trend with young people, how can therapists teach clients how to verbalize what they desire and remain safe in their intimate relationships?

With choking on the rise as a sexual trend with young people, how can therapists teach clients how to verbalize what they desire and remain safe in their intimate relationships?

Sex

What All Partners Can Learn About Orgasms From Queer Couples

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on May 29, 2024

A 2024 study highlights a significant orgasm gap between heterosexual women and men. Addressing this gap is crucial for promoting wider access to orgasm for women.

A 2024 study highlights a significant orgasm gap between heterosexual women and men. Addressing this gap is crucial for promoting wider access to orgasm for women.

Flirting

Confusion Reading Signals Around Flirting and Dating for Singles

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on April 1, 2024

The importance of understanding consensual flirting is essential to dating and mating at all stages of a relationship.

The importance of understanding consensual flirting is essential to dating and mating at all stages of a relationship.

BDSM

Top 5 BDSM and Kink Myths to Debunk

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on March 4, 2024

The intricate sexual behaviors of people who practice consensual power exchange and less common sexual interests are critical to understand by mental health professionals.

The intricate sexual behaviors of people who practice consensual power exchange and less common sexual interests are critical to understand by mental health professionals.

Mating

5 Ways to Turn Online Dating Into Mindful Mating

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on February 4, 2024

How can single dating folks increase their enjoyment and mental health when using dating apps to meet a longtime partner or future spouse?

How can single dating folks increase their enjoyment and mental health when using dating apps to meet a longtime partner or future spouse?

Sex

Navigating Lower Sexual Desire During the Holiday Season

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on November 8, 2023

Sexuality studies don’t always give a full picture of folks' erotic lives over the holidays. Learn how to cultivate your own sexual desire this holiday season.

Sexuality studies don’t always give a full picture of folks' erotic lives over the holidays. Learn how to cultivate your own sexual desire this holiday season.

Relationships

How the Term "Boundaries" Can Be Misused in Conflicts

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on July 20, 2023

Weaponizing or misusing therapeutic words can break down trust within relationships.

Weaponizing or misusing therapeutic words can break down trust within relationships.

Marriage

Should Wedding Planning Include Discussions of a Prenup?

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on May 24, 2023

With wedding season quickly approaching, it is important to have tough discussions with your spouse, specifically about financial decisions.

With wedding season quickly approaching, it is important to have tough discussions with your spouse, specifically about financial decisions.

Sex

4 Things That Drain Women's Sexual Desire

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on April 8, 2023

Low Sexual desire is a common, not often talked about, sexual struggle for women. This could be the result of societal norms related to heterosexual couples.

Low Sexual desire is a common, not often talked about, sexual struggle for women. This could be the result of societal norms related to heterosexual couples.

Sex

How the Psychology of Gifting Can Help a Sexual Relationship

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on February 8, 2023

Giving and receiving gifts might not be too dissimilar to giving and receiving in the bedroom.

Giving and receiving gifts might not be too dissimilar to giving and receiving in the bedroom.

Sex

Don't Bother With Resolutions, Create New Habits in January

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on January 26, 2023

Choose a goal with emotional roots and you will feel more inspired to work toward it.

Choose a goal with emotional roots and you will feel more inspired to work toward it.