Sexuality

Sexual health is an integral part of overall health, and at Enrich we collaborate with our clients to make their sexual experience a pleasurable and integrated part of their life.

When we are young, most people learn about sexuality primarily from their friends, the media, and cultural messages. Formal education is typically limited to avoiding sex, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs). In the few households where parents talk with their kids about sex, almost none of these parents report talking about pleasure.

Learning about ourselves as sexual beings seems to occur mostly through trial and error, but research suggests that even this assumption is more positive than the reality. Many people experience their first sexual contact with another person through abuse, rape, coercion, and violation. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that more than 1 in 3 women, and nearly 1 in 4 men experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes. One in two transgender individuals will experience sexual violence (National Intimate Partner & Sexual Violence Survey). Sexual abuse, exploitation, and assault often lead to temporary and long-term physical and emotional struggles.

With this backdrop, it is not surprising that people, whether or not they have a history of trauma, experience:

Discomfort Communicating About Sex

Low or Absent Desire

Obstacles to Experiencing Pleasure

Distorted Body Image

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Shame and Guilt Around Normal Sexuality

What is Sex Therapy?

Sex therapy provides an opportunity to learn about pleasurable sex, physical and emotional intimacy, and incorporates the whole individual and their life experience. At Enrich, we consider the physical person and frequently collaborate with urologists, OBGYNs, physical therapists, and other medical providers to more clearly understand and comprehensively treat what is standing in the way of sexual satisfaction. Anything that affects your body can affect your sex life and consideration is given to nutrition, sleep, exercise, and play.

In addition to biology, we explore the personal characteristics that are important to good sex, including cultural background, interests, attachment styles, and goals. Better understanding the person allows healing and growth to take place.

Therapy also takes into consideration the environmental influences on sexuality like cultural and religious norms, peer influence, media, access to healthcare, and the legal and political climate.

For people exploring partnered sex, the quality of the relationship is considered to be a foundation of great sex. Aspects of friendship, admiration, ability to manage conflict, and building a system of shared meaning are created and strengthened.

The benefits of a vibrant sexual life are many!

We see individuals and partners/couples who are looking to enjoy:

Sexual enjoyment in the context of illness
More frequent sex
LGBTQIA+ affirming care
Increased pleasure from sex
Romance and sex following childbirth
Consensual non-monogamy
Passion and romance
Kink and BDSM
Confidence in sexual expression
Sharing what excites you

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A QUOTE ON SEX THERAPY

“Through vulnerability, acceptance, healing, and education, I believe sex therapy can increase our ability to connect with ourselves and others. My hope is that sex therapy increases self-compassion, decreases shame, and helps move you toward your authentic relationship with sexuality, whatever that looks like for you.”

-- COLLEEN RYAN, LSW

Why try sex therapy?

Many people come to sex therapy at Enrich to address:

Differences in libido
Opening their relationship
Adjusting to chronic illness
Healing from infidelity
The ability to share desires and interests with their partner/partners
Returning to romance and passion after becoming parents
Adjusting to the effects of aging
Gender exploration
Pornography use
A sexless marriage
Out of control sexual behavior