Sex Therapy in Sawtelle, Los Angeles, CA

Selecting the "right" therapist can be a challenging process. I believe that the relationship between client and therapist begins with the establishment of trust and a desire to grow. I value authenticity, empathy, humor, respect for self and other, and put these values to work in session. My areas of specialty include issues surrounding sexuality and gender, sexual dysfunction, childhood, religious & sexual trauma, the LGBTQIA+ population and those seeking purpose or deeper meaning in life. I aim to meet my clients where they are, holding space for exploration of self, empowerment for growth, and reclamation of their joy for life.

The disability community, women, minorities, and LGBTQIA2+ community crave sex and relationships too and it's time to offer services where it’s needed most! To my knowledge, Togetherness Therapy is the first and only private practice in West LA to offer sex therapy services catered to individuals with disabilities and that’s saying something. General society taught us sex and pleasure were reserved for able-bodied, heterosexual individuals, but we believe the contrary. Sex and pleasure is not limited, as it's part of being human. It's time to empower yourself and take full control of your sexuality . Rewrite your story with pleasure!

You're completely overwhelmed managing parenting, working, and endless other obligations. You've always been someone who takes pride in how well you're able to excel despite challenging circumstances. However, it has reached a point where it feels like it is all too much. Perhaps you just had a recent shift or are having difficulties in your relationship that reached a breaking point and led you to finally reach out for help. It may feel especially uncomfortable since you have always been the "responsible one" who looks after others but doesn't normally accept help or talk about your feelings and needs.

Are relationships supposed to be this hard? When sexual issues keep you from maintaining or obtaining a happy relationship it's time to see a sex therapist. As a sex & relationship specialist, I successfully treat people with issues surrounding sexual desire & performance, sexual trauma, problems with arousal or orgasm, differences in the amount of sex they'd like to have, & sexual pain disorders such as vaginismus. I assist clients in building intimacy by deepening their mutual understanding & compassion (for their often very opposite mate!) and help them stay accountable for taking positive action to improve relationships.

"Life is not what it's supposed to be. It's what it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference." I am a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist specializing in relationship and intimacy issues, sex therapy , infidelity, betrayal trauma and sex and porn addiction . I work collaboratively with my clients to facilitate recognition of their strengths so they can actualize self-growth, meet therapy goals, find peace and develop healthy relationships.

Dr. John Silver says, “If you'd like to know why you do what you do, Modern Psychoanalysis may be for you”. Do you want to deal with the causes of your obstacles to happiness and fulfilment or the effects (symptoms)? Do you have the courage, curiosity and intelligence to look into the corners of your mind? It is where we store our baggage, in our Unconscious. Using Certified Modern Psychoanalysis together we explore your unhealthy behaviors and patterns. Using Existential Analysis we embolden your special unique talents, desires and abilities to find purpose and meaning in your life. Take the journey. Together.

I'm passionate about helping people who are curious and thoughtful, who struggle with anxiety and want a better understanding of themselves and their impact on those around them. I have a specialty in working with people who are overthinkers, who long for deeper relationships but get caught in circular patterns of repetitive and persistent thoughts that prevent them from being fully present and connected. I work with individuals and couples to develop new insights, reduce anxiety, establish balance in their lives, and develop meaningful & satisfying relationships, both emotionally and sexually.

In need of sex therapy ? Lack of desire? A sex -starved marriage? Sex /porn addiction? Just not on the same page as your partner? As a Sexuality Specialist and CSAT, I have successfully treated clients struggling with many different sexual problems (Men: erectile dysfunction, rapid/premature/delayed ejaculation. Women: low desire, painful intercourse, vaginismus/vulvadynia. Either: sexual inexperience, sexual anorexia, childhood sexual traumas including incest). I often use EMDR to resolve underlying traumas. I have researched and taught at UCLA, SMC, The University of Chicago, DePaul and have been a sexuality expert on NBC, ABC and KCAL 9 news.

Relationship issues exist both in and outside the bedroom. Sex is a topic that is often met with secrecy, embarrassment, or shame. Throughout the course of our lives, we are influenced by cultural and societal messaging about what is and is not acceptable. When something is wrong in our relationships, the weight of judgement leads us to live in quiet desperation rather than seek help. I am dedicated to cultivating a safe and accepting environment for my clients to discover more about their sexuality , transform it into what they want, and affirm who they are.

I specialize in sex therapy and have 25+ years experience in both private practice settings and public health issues regarding human sexuality . I am experienced in treating all the dynamics of individuals and couples issues ranging from finding satisfaction with sexuality in relationships and in identity to sexual dysfunction. I am a nationally-recognized expert in Surrogate Partner Therapy and currently serve as the national Referrals Director for the International Professional Surrogates Association.

As a therapist specializing in sex therapy , I support clients in working through betrayal and lack of trust due to infidelity, sex and porn addiction, sexual trauma, discrepancy in desire in couples, sexual inexperience, lack of desire, healthy relationships, and sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction and vaginismus. I use a warm and nonjudgmental approach to support clients in releasing shame to get to the root of healing. I believe that all clients have the inner resources and tools with which to navigate life’s challenges and that it is my job to support clients in identifying and strengthening these tools.

Do you experience painful sex , anxiety, struggle with starting or keeping an erection, and ejaculating sooner than you want? Perhaps you have a partner and you are anxious about how to communicate your true feelings or concerns about sex and intimacy. Being authentically you and communicating how you feel can be a real struggle. If this resonates with you, then know that you are not alone. Also, know that your fears are valid; it can feel painful to be rejected, not heard, not seen, and not fulfilled. These struggles are not a reflection of you as a person. They are a sign that there is an area that needs attention and support.

I have been a psychotherapist in Santa Barbara, CA since 1974. My style is varied, incorporating Gestalt therapy, active listening, inner child work, assertiveness training, and guided imagery. Licensed since 1980 as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I enjoy working with couples, regarding issues of healthy sexuality , intimacy, and communication. Individual women and men,working on their sexual self esteem, are some of my favorite clients. For over fifteen years, I have also been leading groups for Adults Molested as Children, as well as their partners. Focus on breath and body is integral to my way of working in session.

I am a licensed psychotherapist specializing in sex therapy & sexual health. I help my clients work through sexual shame, trauma, anxiety, painful sex , issues around arousal, orgasm & desire, compulsive behavior/”porn or sex ” addiction, & sexual inexperience or anorexia. I believe my first job is to create a sense of safety by attuning to you and ensuring you a shame-free/judgment-free space. My second job is to help you identify the obstacles that are blocking you from sexual well-being and use my expertise, training and education so that you can get unstuck, reach your goals & find deep healing with sustained change.

"In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety." - Abraham Maslow. Deciding to make changes in one's life takes courage, and you have taken the first step! My goal is to empower you to find relief from distress and to help you grow in concert with your goals. I specialize in treating a variety of concerns, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, addiction (substance and behavioral), eating disorders, body image issues, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety, as well as difficulties with anger management, relationships, interpersonal communication, recovery and relapse prevention.

Families are greatly impacted by betrayal, infidelity and sex addiction. As parents struggle to orient themselves to a new reality in the face of betrayal, it can be overwhelming and painful for a parent to recognize the immediate and future impact on their children. Well meaning parents can unintentionally make serious mistakes in managing the family during this painful and confusing time. You may have questions at this time such as “How is the tension in the household affecting our child?" and “Is our child internalizing emotional pain that we can't see?”

I hold a foundational belief that each person seeking therapy has the potential to improve their lives and possesses the resilience to overcome their challenges. My job as your therapist is to allow space to explore these feelings while also providing you with tools to diminish the distress around the experience. If you are feeling loneliness we will create more connection to others, the world and most importantly yourself. I work with complex trauma, grief, anxiety and anxiety disorder, OCD, life transitions and relationship issues.