Sex & Intimacy Counselling
Counselling can be a helpful tool for individuals who are struggling with sex and intimacy in their personal lives and relationships. A counsellor can provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore their concerns and work towards healthier and happier sex lives.
Sex and intimacy are an important part of many romantic relationships as well as a person's individual identity, but they can also be a source of stress and conflict. For some people, mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, or past experiences of sexual assault can make it difficult to enjoy sex or feel comfortable with intimacy. Other people may struggle with sexual dysfunction or issues related to gender identity or sexual orientation that make it hard to connect with their partner.
Counselling can be a helpful tool for individuals who are struggling with sex and intimacy in their relationships. A counsellor can provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore their concerns and work towards healthier and happier sex lives.
One of the benefits of counselling is that it can help individuals better understand the root causes of their difficulties with sex and intimacy. Counsellors can help individuals identify any underlying mental health issues or past experiences that may be impacting their ability to enjoy sex or feel comfortable with intimacy. By gaining a better understanding of these issues, individuals can develop strategies for managing them and improving their sex lives.
Counselling can also provide individuals with a space to talk openly and honestly about their sexual concerns and desires. This can be particularly helpful for individuals who may feel embarrassed or ashamed about their sexuality. By talking with a counsellor, individuals can gain the confidence and self-awareness they need to communicate more effectively with their partner and work towards a more fulfilling sexual relationship.
In addition to talking through sexual concerns, counselling can also provide individuals with practical strategies for improving their sex lives. This may include techniques for managing anxiety or depression, exercises for increasing intimacy and connection with a partner, or advice for addressing sexual dysfunction or pain.
Ultimately, counselling can help individuals navigate the complex and often challenging world of sex and intimacy. By working with a counsellor, individuals can gain a better understanding of their sexual concerns, develop practical strategies for addressing them, and find greater satisfaction and happiness in their relationships.
Pregnancy and birth can have a significant impact on a person's sex life. During pregnancy, changes in hormone levels, physical discomfort, and anxiety about the upcoming birth can all affect a person's desire and ability to have sex. Additionally, some pregnant people may feel self-conscious about their changing bodies and worry about how their partner perceives them.
After birth, physical and emotional changes can continue to impact a person's sex life. For example, postpartum depression, anxiety, or stress can decrease sex drive and cause feelings of detachment from one's partner. Additionally, physical changes such as vaginal dryness, pain, or discomfort can make sex less enjoyable.
Counselling can be an important resource for individuals who are struggling with sex and intimacy after pregnancy and birth. A counsellor can help individuals navigate the changes in their body and emotions and provide practical strategies for improving their sex lives. This may include techniques for increasing intimacy with a partner, advice for addressing physical discomfort, or support for managing mental health concerns.
Sources:
American Psychological Association. (2019). Sexual Health. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/sexuality
Brotto, L. A., & Goldmeier, D. (2015). Women's sexual dysfunction and disorders. In Handbook of Clinical Psychology, Volume 2: Children and Adolescents (pp. 269-283). John Wiley & Sons.
World Health Organization. (2010). Sexual health, human rights and the law. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/sexual_health/sh_hr_law/en/
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2018). Sexual Health During Menopause. Retrieved from https://www.acog.org/patient-resources/faqs/gynecologic-problems/sexual-health-during-menopause
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2019). Postpartum depression factsheet. Retrieved from https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/postpartum-depression/conditioninfo/facts
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2020). Sex and relationships after birth. Retrieved from https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/sex-relationships-after