Sex Therapists in Washington, DC

Modern relationships are HARD. It’s a struggle to find the right person OR to wonder if your current partner is possibly the wrong person. It’s tough when you feel burned by or totally confused about your path. Maybe you’ve even made choices or overlooked things you now regret. Or, maybe it’s a relationship with a boss or coworkers who undervalue you or play favorites with others. Your work ethic and good ideas have long taken a backseat to putting out fires or just avoiding things way more than you should. You’re past thinking that life’s fair. But, you never thought that things could go THIS wrong or get under your skin THIS much.

Whether you're grappling with issues related to intimacy, communication, sexual identity, or desire, I am here to provide a safe and non-judgmental space for your exploration and growth. From couples grappling with communication breakdowns to individuals struggling with sexual performance anxiety or concerns about their sexual orientation or gender identity, every situation is unique. The goals of my clients are as diverse as their backgrounds. Still, they all share a common thread: the desire for a more fulfilling, authentic, and healthy relationship with themselves and their partners.

My ideal clients are those who are experiencing difficulties with their relationships and are looking for a compassionate person to validate that what they are experiencing is real and legitimate. I enjoy working with clients who have decided that wherever they are is not where they want to be and today is the day to make change. Therapy is not always easy or fast, but it has the power to shift one from hopeless to joyful for those who are willing to do the hard work.

I have worked for over a decade with clients across the lifespan. Currently I work with adults and couples. My main goal is to first and foremost get an understanding of what someone is struggling with so I can determine how I can best assist them in their therapy process. I pride myself on my ability to meet people where they are at, build a supportive relationship, and help them work towards achieving their goals. I am currently working towards AASECT certification and obtaining my PhD in Clinical Sexology, so I have a particular interest working with couples and individuals in the areas of sex therapy.

We come to therapy to change our lives which can only be done by changing ourselves. I believe the most effective changes occur when we can experience and examine our behavior in relation to others. In individual therapy you and I will not only identify and try to understnad how your life experiences have shaped your behavior, but how you and I experience that behavior in our relationship. When I work with couples, I focus on your dynamics of intimacy, power imbalances, money, sexuality, and the impact of family and friends on your couple.

I have 20 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and polycules. My book, Great Sex: Mapping Your Desire, is based on a sexual liberation workshop I've offered on campuses and at LGBTQ+ rights conferences in the US and around the world. My clients are usually in therapy but need specialized work on gender, sexuality, identity, and intimacy. Most of us believe there is something 'wrong' with our sexuality -- what we want/don't want, how we connect or fail to connect, what we know or don't know about our desire. In our work together, we discover the power of our sex his/her/theystories and plot a path to pleasure.

Get qualified help for your relationship from a couple's therapy specialist and AASECT certified sex therapist. You'll receive hands-on support to work through your conflicts about identity, money, intimacy, children, family, career, emotions, or major life decisions. No matter where you are in your relationship, therapy can help you connect, repair and grow. Using a combination of effective therapy models and the latest research, we will work together to achieve your relationship goals by practicing new skills in session. We can also address any concerns you have about sex and intimacy.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and work with adults in individual therapy, group therapy, couples therapy, and sex therapy for 30 plus years. My patients are single, married, divorced, remarried, straight, gay, queer and range from young adult to older adults.

Using a client-centered approach, our Clinicians help Clients understand and work through problems of everyday living, including relationship issues, work-life balance and self care issues, the impact of traumatic experiences past and present, and issues which affect day-to-day living. Connecting the dots of your inner experience and your outward struggles can be a powerful motivator for change. Together, we keep close track of your goals for therapy and your satisfaction with the results.

In a world full of judgment, you need to trust that your therapist is affirming and ready to hear your "deep, dark secrets." With that, you can then talk about what's really going on and address your true concerns. I have experience helping people with all kinds of issues, including relationships, sex and sexuality, addictions, gender identity, physical/emotional/sexual abuse, as well as general questions of self-worth. Together, we will explore any issue that is important to you. We will discuss your past when relevant, and what you're currently thinking and feeling.

I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with over 14 years experience working with adults and couples. With a warm but direct approach I encourage a client in their personal growth and development. I utilize a mix of therapies, with a strong basis in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and strengths based theories. I earned my B.A. in psychology and my Master of Social Work at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale. In previous internship and work experiences, I have worked in a variety of different settings including intensive community based programs, inpatient hospitals and outpatient services.

I have been providing individual and couples therapy for 30 years. I have been told that my style is direct, compassionate and non-judgemental.

'We used to have such fun together; how can we get that back?" is a question many people have who come to see me. We all need help at one point or another in our lives. Seeking help for relationship struggles, sexual problems, anxiety, panic attacks, feeling depressed or 'stuck', is a great step forward towards feeling better. I've been practicing for 30 years, with expertise in helping people enjoy their relationships and lives again. I see people individually, in couples and in groups.

HeartWerq Lori Shapiro, LICSW Senior Clinician Clinical Social Worker, Certified Sex Therapist, Marriage and Couples Therapist (She/Her) Lori Shapiro is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Supervisor with more than 20 years of experience. Her practice focuses on working with individuals, couples, and families on a variety of issues, including couples counseling, sex therapy, relationship difficulties, sexual and gender identity support, as well as unique individual challenges. Lori has received degrees from Florida Atlantic University and Barry University (Master’s in Social Work) and also has a certification in sex therapy f

I love working with couples and individuals with difficulty in romantic relationships (i.e. sexual issues, communication, infidelity, divorce), adults who come from dysfunctional childhoods, as well as those with anxiety, impulsivity, and addiction. I also enjoy working with those in non-traditional romantic relationships (i.e. ethically non-monogamous, polyamorous). I am LGBTQIA- affirming and sex positive. I work best with clients who are engaged, thoughtful, and motivated for change. My style is empathic and direct, with a sense of humor. I believe strongly in the therapeutic alliance and the client/therapist fit.

How do you know if your sexual behavior is out of control? It's a subjective question that many men unfortunately wait until relationship, occupational or medical consequences accumulate before considering. I believe the most important person to evaluate concerns with regulating sexual behavior is the man experiencing the dilemma. I start with two basic questions: "What is your conflict with your sexual behavior?" and "What is your vision for your sexual health?" Since 2001, I have provided a safe, informed and confidential space for sexual health conversations with heterosexual, gay and bisexual men.

My primary focus is on helping couples and individuals with sexual issues. In working with couples, I find dissatisfaction with partnered sex is often linked to deeper relationship difficulties and the two can be intertwined. In other instances, the therapeutic focus is primarily on enhancing technique and increasing desire rather than improving the relationship. I also work individually with women to eliminate barriers to sexual wellness and increase acceptance. I enjoy working with gay, lesbian, and heterosexual clients and have respect for sexual fluidity and variance in erotic interest.

I enjoy working with clients in the polyamorous or ethically non monogamous and or kink community. For clients exploring non monogamy I provide a safe space to explore uncertainties, insecurities, and fears while also celebrating many of the joys this relationship style brings. I also work with many clients who may be questioning their gender or sexual identity. I also work with many clients who have experienced trauma, dissociation, and attachment wounding and family of origin issues.

Welcome! I primarily work with clients who are struggling with life transitions or relational concerns. This may include leaving a faith tradition, gaining or losing a partner, exploring sexuality, dealing with old "stuff," working through identity 'stuff,' or getting unstuck. I work with clients from traditional to alternative and everything between, regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, race, orientation, spirituality or relational preferences. I am committed to a social justice practice of anti-racist and affirming care. I tend to see many clients who have had negative experiences with therapists in the past.