Frequently asked questions
Curious about therapy? Start here.
Beginning therapy, especially around sex, intimacy, and relationships, can bring up a lot of questions. Here are some of the things people often want to know before reaching out.
What exactly is sex therapy?
Sex therapy is talk therapy with a mental health professional who has specialized training in sexuality and relationships. It is entirely conversation-based. There are no physical examinations, nudity, sexual contact, or touching of any kind. Together, we explore what may be getting in the way of the intimacy, connection, or sexual well-being you want. I offer insight, education, and practical tools tailored to your specific concerns.
Is there ever any physical contact, nudity, or demonstration?
No. Sex therapy is entirely conversation-based and professional. There is never any sexual contact, nudity, touching, or physical demonstration in a therapy session. This is an absolute ethical boundary.
Do I need to be in a relationship to come to therapy?
Not at all. I work with individuals as well as couples. Many of the concerns people bring to therapy are deeply personal: confidence, desire, body image, shame, past experiences, sexual identity, anxiety, or questions about what they want from relationships and intimacy. You do not need to be partnered to explore any of these things.
What kinds of concerns do you help with?
I work with a wide range of concerns related to sexuality, intimacy, relationships, and emotional well-being. These may include desire differences, arousal and orgasm concerns, pain during sex, erectile concerns, performance anxiety, compulsive or out-of-control sexual behavior, infidelity and trust recovery, communication and conflict, life and medical transitions, LGBTQ+ identity and relationships, non-monogamy, sexual trauma, and the shame or uncertainty that can accompany these experiences.
Is therapy a judgment-free space for LGBTQ+ and non-monogamous clients?
Absolutely. My practice is affirming and inclusive. I work with people across diverse identities, relationship structures, and expressions of sexuality, including LGBTQ+ clients, people exploring identity, and individuals and couples practicing consensual non-monogamy. My role is not to tell you what your relationships or sexuality should look like. It is to help you understand yourself, communicate more honestly, and create relationships and intimate experiences that are aligned with who you are.
Is what I share confidential?
Yes. Therapy sessions are private and confidential, protected by law and professional ethics, with the limited exceptions required of licensed therapists, such as certain imminent safety concerns. This is a space where you can talk honestly about the parts of your life that may be difficult, confusing, or hard to say out loud anywhere else.
What happens in a first session?
The first step is getting to know each other. You can share what brought you to therapy and what you are hoping for. I will listen, ask questions, and explain how I might approach your concerns. There is no pressure and no script. It is an opportunity for us to have an honest conversation and determine whether I may be the right therapist for you.
Do you offer virtual sessions or only in-person therapy?
Both. I see clients in person at MindSpa Integrative Wellness Center in Sarasota and offer secure virtual sessions to clients throughout Florida and Connecticut. Many clients choose to combine in-person and virtual sessions based on their needs and schedules.
Where is your office?
My Sarasota office is located at MindSpa Integrative Wellness Center at 5632 Bee Ridge Road. The setting is calm, private, and easy to access, with convenient parking.
How long does therapy usually take?
There is no one-size-fits-all timeline. The length of therapy depends on what you are working on, your goals, and the kind of change you are seeking. Some people seek focused support around a specific concern, while others benefit from a longer process of exploration and growth. Your therapy is tailored to your needs rather than designed as an open-ended commitment.
What approaches do you use?
My work is integrative, relational, and holistic. I draw from Attachment-Based Therapy, Differentiation-Based Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and somatic approaches. I also consider the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. I use these approaches flexibly, tailoring therapy to you rather than trying to fit you into a particular model.
What are attachment and differentiation work?
Attachment work explores the ways our early experiences and relationships can shape how we connect, seek closeness, protect ourselves, communicate, and respond to disconnection. Differentiation work focuses on developing a stronger sense of self while remaining connected to the people you love. Together, we explore how to stay grounded in your own values, emotions, and needs without losing yourself in a relationship or having to disconnect from others to feel secure.
What is somatic therapy?
Somatic therapy brings attention to the connection between your mind, emotions, and body. Our bodies often respond to experiences before we have words for what is happening. By learning to notice sensations, emotions, impulses, and patterns of activation, you can develop greater self-awareness and a deeper capacity for regulation and connection. Somatic work may be especially helpful when concerns involve trauma, anxiety, sexuality, body image, intimacy, or feeling disconnected from your body.
What does holistic therapy mean?
Holistic therapy means looking at the whole person rather than separating emotional well-being from the rest of your life. My work considers the interconnected relationship between mind, body, spirit, sexuality, relationships, and the experiences that have shaped you. This does not mean that every session addresses every part of your life. It means we consider the whole picture when understanding what you are experiencing and what may help.
What are your credentials?
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), an AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist and Supervisor, and a clinical sexologist. I also teach and supervise therapists developing expertise in sexuality, relationships, and sex therapy.
What is the difference between sex therapy and coaching?
Sex therapy is psychotherapy provided by a licensed mental health professional with specialized training in sexuality. That means therapy can address not only goals and behaviors, but also the emotional, relational, psychological, and trauma-related experiences that may be influencing your sexuality and relationships. This deeper clinical perspective can be an important part of creating meaningful and lasting change.
Do you take insurance?
Please reach out to learn more about current fees and payment options. I can also provide information about superbills for clients who may seek out-of-network reimbursement from their insurance plan. My goal is to make the financial aspects of therapy as clear and straightforward as possible.
How do I get started?
Begin with a free, confidential consultation. It is a short, relaxed conversation to talk about what is bringing you here, ask any initial questions, and see whether we may be a good fit. There is no pressure and no obligation to begin therapy.