How I Can Help You
Relationships
Sometimes relationships experience difficulties and there are many factors that can contribute to these difficulties. An affair, unresolved arguments, change in family dynamics, poor communication, work, relationship with colleagues, lack of intimacy, or feeling unhappy in the relationship. Therapy can help better manage or reconcile differences and repeating patterns of stress upon the relationship.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction may be caused by psychological factors or organic such as physical disease or ageing, often it is a combination of both. Some men experience stress, anxiety and/or depression which affects their sex life and self esteem. Sex therapy can help work through the emotions as well as provide strategies and education.
Porn and Sex Addiction/Compulsion
Compulsive behaviours relating to pornography and sex are common issues experienced by men and women. Sexual addiction, sexual dependency, hypersexuality, compulsive sexual behaviour and sexual compulsivity, are all examples of difficulty in management of sexual behaviour. Sexual thoughts can become an obsession and interfere with different aspects of the individual’s life such as ability to work properly, relationships, and daily activities. There may be underlining issues such as trauma, grief and loss, low self-esteem, depression, financial problems or relationship problems that could be contributing to the behaviour. Sex therapy can help the individual gain control over the compulsive behaviours by developing a treatment plan tailored to the individuals needs and circumstances and working through the behaviours with strategies to develop skills, education and counselling.
Mismatched Libido
Mismatched libido is when one partner wants sex more often than the other. This is a common problem in relationships and it’s not always the male who is wanting more sex. For some couples, mismatched libido could be a symptom of another problem not the cause. Sex therapy can help work through the differences and obstacles.
Premature Ejaculation
Vaginismus
Painful Intercourse
Painful intercourse can be due to medical or psychological causes. The pain can be on the superficial surface of the genitalia (at vulva or entry of vagina in woman) or deeper in the pelvis and or cervix. Men might experience pain when the foreskin is retracted because it is too tight, testicular or glans area of the penis after ejaculation. Sex therapy can help work on the emotional distress and provide education and techniques to do in the privacy of your home.
HIV/STI's
Being diagnosed with HIV/STI can cause distress for some individuals or couples and can potentially affect an individual’s sex life and/or relationship. There are many myths and misconceptions when it comes to STI’s which contributes to the stigma associated with having one. STI’s are common and easily manageable, having an STI doesn’t mean you can never have sex again. Sex therapy can help work through the psychological and physical blocks that may be affecting your sex life and/or relationship and provide education.
Affairs
Discovering an affair can feel like your whole world has fallen apart and saving the relationship can seem impossible. Recovering from an affair is a hard and an ongoing process for both partners in the relationship, but it is possible for a relationship to survive an affair. Understanding why an affair happened in the first place is important to moving on with your relationship. Affairs can happen in happy relationships as well as troubled ones and the motives of why affairs happen vary. Therapy can help rebuild and strengthen the relationship and assist in better management of differences and repeating patterns of stress upon the relationship.
Communication
Poor communication skills are one of the main contributors to conflict in relationships. It’s important how conflict is managed to help provide opportunities for growth and understanding. Therapy can help build on trust, honesty, openness and mutual respect.
Single
Want to date again but you can’t seem to let go of pain from a previous relationship? Therapy can help you work through the matters that you may be stuck on by identifying what is happening, what you can and can’t control and how to better manage these emotions.
Break up
Relationship break ups are difficult and at times can leave you feeling lonely, confused, stuck and that your whole world has fallen apart. Therapy can help you work through the emotions and help you identify areas that you may need support with.
Gender Identity or Sexuality Orientation
Don’t feel you identify with your assigned gender at birth? Or are you confused about your sexual attraction towards other people? This can be a lonely and scary experience for some people. Therapy can help work through the emotions and help you identify areas that you may need support with.
How does therapy work?
Participating in therapy sessions can help build healthy relationships based on trust, reconnection and intimacy. Many people have difficulty dealing with relationships and talking about sensitive sexual issues. Heidi provides a safe, confidential and respectful environment for you to talk about intimate details or experiences. Using a solution focused approach combined with evidence based strategies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), helps clients to manage thoughts and behaviours and work towards outcomes that best suit your needs.
This approach helps clients achieve awareness in their sexual health, better communication in their relationships and re-learn sexual techniques and behaviours. However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to therapy. Heidi will work with the different dynamics in your relationship to improve communication and connection. You may even have homework to complete between sessions as part of the process in reaching your desired outcome.