Despite sex being used to sell everything from perfume to cars, talking about sex in a frank and open way still feels mostly taboo in our society. This can make talking about sexual issues difficult, leading to feelings of shame and isolation which further exacerbate the problem.
What are sexual issues?
Sex is a completely normal and natural part of life. It’s a complex force with psychological, emotional, and biological components. Although many sexual issues are physical, most are psychological.
Sexual issues cover a broad range of topics around our personal relationship to sexuality through to how sexuality is expressed within relationships. It can cover a range of physical and psychological symptoms such as feelings of sexual incompatibility, low sex drive and even sex or pornography addiction.
People often believe that their sexuality, sexual preference, sexual orientation or sexual fantasies are wrong or dangerous. This is rarely the case. But even when we may fantasise about people or activities that are in contradiction to our beliefs, it is often that we have sexualised them to overcome past trauma. With careful work, we can work through this.
Types of Sexual Issues We Can Help With
Sex is a completely normal and natural part of life. It’s a complex force with psychological, emotional, and biological components. Although many sexual issues are physical, most are psychological.
“Sexual issues” covers a broad range of topics, from our personal relationship to sexuality through to how sexuality is expressed within relationships. It can cover a range of physical and psychological symptoms such as feelings of sexual incompatibility, low sex drive, and even sex or pornography addiction.
The Cause of Sexual Issues
Every person’s sexuality is complex and may be hard to comprehend and accept. Many of us grew up with negative or confusing messages around sex and sexuality which can lead to issues in the future.
People often believe that their sexuality, sexual preference, sexual orientation, or sexual fantasies are wrong or dangerous, but this is rarely the case. Even when we fantasise about people or activities that are in contradiction to our beliefs, we have often sexualised them to overcome past trauma. With care, we can work through this together.
Why is sex a difficult subject?
Every person’s sexuality is complex and may be hard to comprehend and accept. Many of us grew up with negative or confusing messages around sex and sexuality which can lead to issues in the future. Unless sexuality and sexual expression were normalised by an appropriate adult when we were children, it’s easy for us to view it as shameful. Applied psychologists refer to this as being ‘traumatic’. However, by finding a language through which we can begin to express ourselves and our sexuality, this pain and trauma can begin to heal.
Although we are constantly bombarded with images, films, stories and ideas about sex, few people have honest discussions about their sexuality which can make having sex and talking about sex intimidating. With so much information around us, it can be difficult to determine what is ‘normal’. That’s where therapy for sexual issues in Brighton can help.
How Sexual Issues Therapy Works
By finding a language through which we can begin to express ourselves and our sexuality, the pain and trauma we have tied to sex and sexuality can begin to heal.
Although we are constantly bombarded with images, films, stories and ideas about sex, few people have honest discussions about their sexuality which can make having sex and talking about sex intimidating. With so much information around us, it can be difficult to determine what is ‘normal’. That’s where therapy for sexual issues in Brighton can help.
Our Sexual Issues Therapists
Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy is home to a talented team of counsellors and psychotherapists with decades of experience. Take a look at Our Practitioners to learn more and find a practitioner who is right for you.
Sexual issues counselling in Brighton & Hove
We work with a range of individuals and couples who want to work through their sexual issues. Our experienced sex therapists in Brighton are experienced in working with many sexual issues in men, women and couples.
For couples, sex therapy can be scary. But working together, we will identify the sexual issues you’re facing and discuss the best options for moving forward. Our psychotherapists create a safe space free from judgement. We simply help you to communicate and understand the reasons for your issues. We can make you feel as comfortable as possible speaking with a practitioner of your choice.
If you’re one part of a couple and feel you are experiencing sexual issues and your partner doesn’t want to engage in therapy, our therapists can work with you individually. Alternatively, our online therapy services may be a more comfortable solution.
Areas We Cover
At Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy, we have two physical practices, one in Hove and one in Lewes, where we offer a full range of psychological therapies.
Alternatively, if you are considering online therapy, we also offer online therapy services.
Why Choose Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy?
Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy provides high quality psychotherapy and consultancy services in Brighton and Hove, Lewes, and online. With over a decade of experience and a talented team of skilled associates, we have built a solid reputation for excellence.
Unlike so many directory sites that purport to be clinics, or large operations comprising of a high number of clinicians, we have purposefully kept our team small enough to ensure we can all work together on a personal basis, whilst being large enough to cater to the diverse needs of our client base.
To find out more about how Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy can help you through sex issues therapy, get in touch with us today and arrange your initial consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can psychotherapy help with sexual issues?
Sex counselling and psychotherapy can help you work through sexual trauma through to assisting you in making sense of your relationship with your sexual self. It can also be an environment where entrenched beliefs about sexual roles and the very question of ‘what is sex?’ can be explored and challenged. Support for sexual issues from trained therapists is on the rise due to the pressures on modern relationships and the impact of high-speed pornography on healthy sexual relationships. If you feel you need to work on your sexual issues, get in touch with us now.
Will talking about sex feel too difficult?
It is often the sense of isolation that clients feel in not being able to open up and talk about their sexual worlds that leads to a sense of alienation and depression, further perpetuating the shame and sense of wrongness in relation to their sexual identity. Psychotherapy is based on the client and therapist establishing a genuine and safe relationship in which two people are having an ongoing dialogue. It may feel hard to talk about sex with a psychotherapist, but it can bring huge benefits from the perspective of reducing shame, being seen and understood and normalising your experience.
What happens in a first session?
The first session with one of our practitioners is an opportunity for you both to work out whether you feel able to work together. Your psychotherapist or psychologist will likely ask you various questions relating to what has brought you, and explain the process of therapy to you. The first session is a two-way process where you have the opportunity to ask questions and to decide whether you feel ‘safe enough’ working with your therapist.
How do I find a psychotherapist or psychologist I want to work with?
At Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy, we have two physical practices, one in Hove and one in Lewes, where we offer a full range of psychological therapies. On our website you can view each profile of our associates and contact them directly using the form on their profile page. You can also use our handy search function to find the right practitioner for your needs.
How long will it take for me to see a psychologist or psychotherapist?
We aim to respond to all enquiries within twenty-four hours. You may either contact one of our practitioners directly via their profile page, or you can contact us directly and we will assist you in finding the right person to see as soon as possible. If the practitioner you wish to see has space then an appointment can usually be arranged within a week and sometimes much sooner.
Do you offer couples or group sessions?
We offer counselling and psychotherapy for individuals, couples, families and groups. To find out about the types of session we can offer, get in touch with us today. We will find a date and time that works best for everyone involved and we will make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible.
How can I get in touch with you?
You can contact our practitioners directly via the contact forms on their profile pages. They will then reply to you directly.
What age groups of clients do you work with?
We have psychotherapists and psychologists trained to work with most age groups from children through to adults.
Do you offer evening and/or weekend sessions?
We offer sessions every day of the week including on Saturdays and sessions are available into the evening.
What are your fees?
Our fees are set by each practitioner depending on the type of therapy. For individual psychotherapy or clinical psychology our fees range from £75 – £100 per session. For couple therapy our fees range from £85 – £100 per session.
All the content on this page has been reviewed and vetted by Mark Vahrmeyer UKCP Registered Psychotherapist, Supervisor and Co-Founder of Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy. For any questions or more information about the subjects discussed on this page please contact us.