Find The Best Sexologist Near Me: 2023 Clinical Sexologist
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- Written by Sean Newton, B.S., Former Health & Fitness Writer
Medically reviewed by
Kimberly Langdon, MD
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Talkspace
- Select your own therapist
- Easy to switch therapists
- 24/7 access
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Online-Therapy.com
- Structured with worksheets and activities
- Once weekly appointments with a therapist
- Review past feedback at any time
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Sexologists may sound like a cool job title to some people. Those who are looking for a good sexologist, or more technically sex therapist, have to take the issue more seriously. The problems that sex therapists address can often cause stress and unhappiness that affect our whole lives.
Sexual health is an important part of our overall health. As a result, it’s often an aspect of general therapy. In some cases, however, a specialist can offer greater insight and experience. Either way, online therapy has become a popular option. Particularly in the case of sex therapy, it offers a greater degree of privacy.
Best Options Sexologist Near Me On The Market In (June. 2023)
- Talkspace -Easiest to Use
- Online-Therapy.com – Best for Relationship
- Regain – Editor’s choice
- Our Relationship – Best For Military couples
- Pride Counseling – Best For LGBTQ+
What Is A Sexologist?
Sex therapy is a variety of psychotherapy, a specialism in the mental health field. A therapist who specializes in sexual dysfunction is a sex therapist. Most people are as fascinated by sex as they are embarrassed by it. It’s therefore not surprising ‘sexologist’ was thought up as a cooler-sounding title for pop culture appeal.
A sex therapist, on the other hand, is a professional who deals with certain types of mental health issues. Just like your doctor may send you to an ophthalmologist if there’s something wrong with your eyes, you may go to a sex therapist to focus on problems in that area.
They’ll have a greater depth of knowledge on the topic than most therapists and probably have a better understanding of the biological side of things. Sexual difficulties usually involve intimacy, healthy expectations, and other related problems. As a result, many sex therapists are also relationship counselors who may work with couples.
Like any other sort of therapist, a sex therapist has to have training in that field, including a degree in the field and practical experience. They will also be licensed as a therapist in your state.
One important fact to note is that a sex therapist is not a sex worker of any sort. Therapists shouldn’t enter into any sort of physical relationship[1] with their patients. Instead, sex therapists usually use the same methods as any other therapist, including counseling and medication.
Best Sexologist Near Me On The Market In 2023
Talkspace
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There are a few services that seem to be setting the standard for the rest, in terms of options and availability. Talkspace is one of those trend-setting online therapy platforms.
- Based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Have various research-supported strategies
- Affordable price
- Costly
Any sort of therapy is all about communication. In online therapy, communication can be both a little more difficult and critical to achieving your goals. The best online counseling options offer more ways to communicate with less hassle.
As with all of its counseling, Talkspace offers a whole range of options for talking to your counselor. Their service includes text, phone, or video appointments. You’ll also be able to message your counselor between appointments.
Communication between each partner in a couple is also incredibly important. To help foster that sort of open communication Talkspace makes all messages available to both partners to view.
Talkspace will match you with a fully licensed counselor in your area. You can switch counselors at any time, as well as look for specialties to meet your specific needs.
Online-Therapy.Com
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Not only does online-therapy.com offer a full range of services, but it also offers guided activities. If you want to take concrete steps to improve your life, this service might be a good choice.
- Structured with worksheets and activities
- Once weekly appointments with a therapist
- Review past feedback at any time
- Security and confidentiality guaranteed
- Expensive
- Not available everywhere
Sometimes it is tough to measure progress in therapy, as changes tend to be gradual and diffuse throughout your life. As a result, motivation can sometimes fade over time.
Online-therapy.com is a full-service teletherapy platform. That means it offers texting communication, as well as regular appointments with a counselor over the phone or via video call. Something online-therapy.com adds to that standard recipe is a structured path.
As you work with your therapist, you work on modules and plan activities, always giving you a specific task or focus. Unlike a strict, traditional therapy approach, you can always see how far you’ve come.
Note that there is a very similarly named onlinetherapy.com. The dash makes a difference.
Regain
Regain offers its users affordable virtual therapy services that specialize in couples therapy. You can request to speak with your therapist privately, and there is no additional charge for your partner joining in treatment.
- Easy sign-up process
- No extra charge for your partner
- Affordable
- Members may cancel a subscription at any time
- Unlimited sessions
- No three-way calling
- Response time can be over a day
Regain offers relatively affordable online therapy ranging in price from 60$-90$ weekly. All users also have unlimited access to Regain, which can be accessed from just about any device or smartphone and does not require software installation.
Therapists are also required to have a minimum of three years of hands-on experience, so you can be sure you are receiving help from a true professional.
Regain is focused explicitly on couples and marriage therapy and professional counselors include marriage and family therapists, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, and highly trained clinical social workers.
While Regain has excellent features, many users have reported some time lag with a one-day response time.
In addition, if you are not with your partner frequently, there is no option for three-way calling, which may present challenges when scheduling visits.
Our Relationship
Online therapy is not for everyone. Our Relationship is an online program that you navigate through alone or with your partner. If you feel like you need additional help, online coaches are available.
- Complete independently or together
- Research-backed
- Coaching offered
- Affordable
- Free program available
- Does not offer live sessions
For those who would instead work through a self-help course on their own time, Our Relationship may be perfect for you. The program has scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness.
You are allowed five 20-minute calls with your coach during the duration of the program if you have any additional questions or concerns.
Our relationship is researched back and proven to work.
According to a study[2] conducted by the Our Relationship research program, participants were found to have positive results and improvements.
The cost of the course is $150 and includes access to a coach. If you do not wish to have access to a coach, the price will drop to 50$.
If you are looking to save money, you may qualify for a free program backed by the US Administration for Children and Families to offset the cost.
If you qualify and complete the course, you may also be able to receive a $150 gift card per couple to a retail outlet. (Walmart, Target, etc.).
You must agree to be a part of the research study to qualify for the incentive.
Pride Counseling
Gender dysphoria should always be taken seriously. That is why Pride Counseling offers the services of registered therapists to help you deal with any gender issues you might be having.
- Take good care of your mental health
- Resolve gender problems
- Anonymity can be maintained where necessary
- Some have no control over the therapists they choose
Any good gender therapist on the platform will be willing to schedule better times for different individuals. This is understandable because the platform can have clients from different parts of the world. As such, therapists can also take care of various clients based on their time zones.
One of the biggest benefits of online therapy would be the privacy you get. That is also something Pride Counseling offers. Those who have experience with the platform claim they have never had their private conversations with therapists leaked. This should generally boost your feelings knowing that your experiences will not be shared with everyone.
In case you feel that the current therapist is not helping you much or rather your issues are not adequately addressed, you can switch to other therapists on the platform. This should make your sessions feel worth the time. Anyone who is transgender or LGBT would want to feel a sense of security and a therapist plays a huge role in such a case.
It does not always have to be expensive to talk about your gender issues. That is what Pride Counseling offers. This is because you can now pay a weekly subscription of $60 to $90 (billed every 4 weeks) and get unlimited messaging with a therapist. That is a bargain compared to asking questions to a conventional therapist in an office. You would have to pay a lot more for such an experience.
How To Choose The Best Sexologist?
Choosing a therapist is a very personal decision, even more so when it comes to choosing a sex therapist. You may need to share some of the most intimate aspects of your life with this person. Ideally, you’re looking for someone you both have a connection with and feel like you can trust.
It’s not easy to figure that out after just one or two sessions however. To narrow your options somewhat, there are a few key things to look for when trying to choose the best sex therapist for you.
Convenience
Therapy can be a source of stress in itself. Like with many uncomfortable but necessary things, it helps to make it as easy as possible. That can mean a lot of things. If you’re looking for face-to-face therapy, it will make it easier if the office is nearby.
Online therapists are often convenient, as you don’t have to go anywhere. They may also offer other conveniences, like texting. That may not be for everyone, however, as video or phone appointments can sometimes cost extra.
Licensing, Qualifications, And Experience
Perhaps it goes without saying, but it is important to seek out a fully qualified sex therapist. Professionals will have no problem providing proof of their certifications and licenses. If that sort of information is not forthcoming, it should be a red flag.
Some therapists may also have certifications in particular subspecialties. Sex therapy is a great example. Other specialties may include trauma therapy, depression, or anxiety. Most therapists will have several specialties, so you can find one with the right mix for your needs.
Cost
Money is, unfortunately, always a consideration. Online therapy is a great option in many cases, but their fees are fixed and generally non-negotiable. On the other hand, most places will have therapists that accept a sliding scale of payments, depending on your ability to pay.
Online therapy may also have additional costs, such as extra costs for video and phone appointments. Additional texting may also cost more. However, many online therapists cost about the same as therapy with health insurance.
Gender
The gender of your therapist can often have an impact on your comfort level. When you’re dealing with issues of sexuality and relationships, that may be even more true. Men and women may also have different insights into sexual dysfunction.
Trust Your First Impression
Your experience the first time you meet someone can often set the tone for the rest of the relationship. If a therapist makes you uncomfortable, or even if you just don’t connect, that is unlikely to change.
On the other hand, if you’re unsure you may wish to give someone the benefit of the doubt. You may find that your level of trust and comfort rises over time.
How Does Online Sexologist Consultation Work?
The experience will vary depending on the online service you choose. Generally, you can expect to have appointments with a therapist, just as you would with face-to-face therapy. The appointments may be held over the phone, however, or over video chat. Some services also allow you to contact your therapist through messaging between appointments.
Otherwise, online therapy will work in much the same way as face-to-face therapy. You’ll discuss your problems, learn skills, and hopefully address the issues that are concerning you.
Most couples counseling services allow both partners to view all of the communication. There may also be online classes or other activities that you can take part in.
How Sex Therapy Can Help?
Sexual health is an important part of your overall health. Additionally, sexual dysfunctions can often have consequences outside the bedroom. When one or both partners are left unsatisfied, it can impact self-confidence or even cause feelings of shame.
When feelings like those aren’t dealt with, they may lead to significant relationship problems. Problems in other areas of life may also crop up. The reverse is also true, with factors like stress and anxiety from other areas of life contributing to sexual dysfunction.
Each treatment plan[3] is likely to be unique to an individual’s situation. However, sex therapists will often use talk therapy, to discuss issues with patients. A therapist may also help a patient develop important relationship skills, such as communication strategies.[4] Behavioral therapy can help build trust and change counterproductive habits.
When Should You See A Sex Therapist?
Many, if not most, people will experience sexual dysfunction in their lives. Those problems may be minor and resolve themselves over time. Some issues, on the other hand, aren’t easily addressed. They may linger over time, occur frequently, or cause real distress.
At that point, you may benefit from seeing a sex therapist. There are some symptoms that are red flags. Both men and women may:
- Experience a lack of sexual interest
- Experience pain during sex
- Be unable to become aroused
Symptoms women experience include:
- Difficulty relaxing vaginal muscles for intercourse
- Lack of vaginal lubrication
- Difficulty or inability to achieve orgasm
Symptoms men experience include:
- Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection
- Difficulty or inability to ejaculate
- Inability to control the timing of ejaculation
What Do Sexologists Treat?
Sex is a complex part of our lives and relationships. A healthy sexual relationship isn’t just about feeling good. When we aren’t satisfied in that aspect of our life, the problem may be in our behavior and thought process rather than our biology. The goal of sex therapy is a healthy and satisfying sex life.
When there are obstacles to achieving that satisfaction, you are experiencing sexual dysfunction. Statistics say that over 40% of women and 30% of men suffer from some degree of sexual dysfunction. The numbers may be even higher.
Sexual dysfunction can have a range of severities and many causes. Most people will experience stress that affects their sex life, as well as other issues like intimacy, shame, and self-doubt. Often, counseling is enough to address those issues. Dealing with the consequences of sexual trauma is often an important part of sex therapy.
Sexual dysfunction is generally broken down into four types:
- Desire disorders involve a lack of desire for or interest in sex.
- Arousal disorders occur when there is difficulty becoming sexually excited.
- Orgasm disorders involve a delayed orgasm or a lack of orgasm.
- Pain disorders involve pain during the course of sex.
In addition to addressing sexual dysfunctions directly, sex therapists also address sex as an aspect of healthy relationships. Many sex therapists are also relationship counselors and work with partners together.
While sex therapists focus on the mental and behavioral side of things, they may have insight into the biological side as well. As a result, many sex therapists will work with your doctor[5] or other specialists to help address any issues.
In general, sex therapists will be accepting of any sexuality or gender identity. They may help to address stress and anxiety that is caused by any relationship. However, they don’t consider any sexuality a disorder.
Frequently Asked Questions
The term used by professionals in this field is sex therapy. Sex therapy is a legitimate and important aspect of mental health.
When an individual is unable to have a healthy, satisfying sex life, mental and emotional factors can play a role. Those issues are best addressed with the help of a therapist.
In general, if you are experiencing real distress because of some aspect of your sex life, sex therapy might be helpful. Specific symptoms in men can be difficulty getting or keeping an erection, or problems with ejaculation. Women may experience pain during intercourse. A lack of sexual interest or difficulty becoming aroused are also red flags.
+ 5 sources
Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here
- Behnke, S. (2023). The discipline of ethics and the prohibition against becoming sexually involved with patients. [online] https://www.apa.org. Available at: https://www.apa.org/monitor/jun06/ethics.
- Doss, B.D., Cicila, L.N., Georgia, E.J., Roddy, M.K., Nowlan, K.M., Benson, L.A. and Christensen, A. (2016). A randomized controlled trial of the web-based OurRelationship program: Effects on relationship and individual functioning. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, [online] 84(4), pp.285–296. doi:https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000063.
- SMSNA. (2020). What is Sex Therapy Like? [online] Available at: https://www.smsna.org/patients/blog/what-is-sex-therapy-like.
- Mayoclinic.org. (2019). Sex therapy – Mayo Clinic. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/sex-therapy/about/pac-20384613.
- Sexual and Relationship Therapy. (2023). The emergence of a new paradigm in sex therapy: integration. [online] Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14681990412331333955.
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
