Sex Therapists in District of Columbia

Ready to heal from past traumas? Financial stress impacting your well-being and ready for change? Are you seeking deeper attachment in your relationships? I work with heterosexual & LGBTQ+ individuals and couples exploring ways to live that fully meet your needs. I help clients address & alleviate stressors as they explore & resolve past emotional wounds & traumas. I offer couples support to strengthen their relationships & resolve issues preventing emotional & sexual intimacy. I’m licensed in DC/MD/VA, practicing under the clinical supervision of Lisa Smith, LPC. My background includes Wall Street, the legal industry & journalism.

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.

Sex is an area of life that can both impact and be impacted by everything else in life. Yet we often feel so alone in our sexual lives with very few places and people to turn for help. It is for exactly that reason that I was driven to be a sex therapist and open Peak Couples & Sex Therapy, a group psychotherapy practice. Our sexual selves matter. Our sexual needs, wants, fears and struggles all matter. I want to create the space for others that my younger self deserved to have when she was growing up, trying to understand how sex and relationships impacted her confidence, identity, values and needs.

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 the owner and CEO of the Capital Center for Psychotherapy and Wellness (CCPW). We provide individual, group, couples, family therapy, psychological testing, psychiatry, dietitians, acupuncture, personal training, massage therapy, and teaching. Our approach to care is client centered. We help to figure out your unique individual needs and tailor treatment to you. I am a clinical psychologist, certified sex therapist, and completing a PhD in Sexology. I specialize in working with all things sex related, LGBTQ+, social justice, mood disorders, eating concerns, body image, relationships, couples counseling, and group therapy.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Did you grow up being told your desires & wants were “bad” or too much? And maybe part of you knows it’s untrue, but sometimes that old story creeps back in? I help clients shed old narratives, and explore new ways of thinking & being in the world. Individuals & couples working with me are typically interested in healing from trauma, seeking symptom relief/coping skills, engaging in self-discovery, and cultivating satisfying sexual relationships. I specialize in treating sexual & religious trauma & working with LGBTQ+ folks on their journeys of identity discovery (yes, I work with cis/straight folks, too).

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.

My mission is to create a space of acceptance for individuals and partners to find true, honest connection to themselves and within their intimate relationships. I am passionate about helping clients from all backgrounds work through barriers in order to create the relationships and life they desire. Through targeted conversations, skill building, and at home exercises we will work to help you build on the strengths you already have. I offer acceptance and a straightforward, empathetic approach to psychotherapy with my clients.

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.

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.

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

Welcome! I am very glad you are here! I offer a person-centered, compassionate, and systemic approach to therapy. I consider working with each client to be a privilege and a collaborative therapeutic experience. If you’re looking for extra support and guidance through a challenging situation or you’re just ready to move in a new direction in your life, I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals and hopes. Internal Family Systems (IFS), an evidence-based model, guides my approach to helping individuals and couples heal by unburdening their protective and wounded parts in a loving and compassionate manner.

You can become someone who you can learn to love and trust, and I would like to help you with that. My name is Ella Henley and I am a trauma therapist with over 20 years of experience working with survivors. I offer individual talk therapy services to address CPTSD, anxiety, dissociation, emotional regulation, identity, and attachment and developmental trauma. I enjoy working with LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse individuals. I am a member of AASECT, am certified as a Sex Therapy Informed Professional (CSTIP) and am working towards credentialing in sex and couples therapy. I am Anti-Racist, and am Queer, Trans, Kink, and Poly affirming.