Sex Therapy for Women
& Women's Sexuality
Embarking on the journey of sex therapy can feel daunting for many women. A common thread among those seeking support is the belief that they are alone in their struggles and that something is inherently wrong with them. This sense of isolation can deepen feelings of embarrassment, hopelessness, or avoidance, making it even more challenging to reach out for help.
Many women begin their search for answers with their primary care doctors or OB/GYNs, only to encounter confusing or minimizing responses that leave them feeling unheard. This lack of understanding is compounded by the fact that most medical studies—despite ongoing advancements—are primarily conducted on male bodies, leaving women’s experiences underrepresented and their needs overlooked.
At the Center for Relationship and Intimacy Well-Being (CRIWB), we recognize that every woman’s body is a profound source of wisdom. While it may feel as if your body is working against you, it is often a protective force, signaling that your sexual needs and desires are yearning to be acknowledged and met. We understand how hormones, relationship dynamics, perimenopause, menopause, and caretaking responsibilities can deeply impact a woman’s sexual health and overall well-being.
Our approach to sex therapy for women is rooted in compassion and understanding. We invite you to explore and embrace your unique sexual self, fostering a nurturing relationship with your body, heart, mind, and desires. CRIWB is a sanctuary—a warm, spiritual space that honors all orientations, expressions, and lifestyles. Our multicultural team of expert clinicians is dedicated to providing culturally sensitive, inclusive care that honors the rich tapestry of women’s experiences.
You will find a safe and supportive environment in our sessions where open dialogue can flourish. Together, we will uncover pathways to clarity and empowerment, guiding you toward fulfilling solutions that resonate with your authentic self. We also have a large network of collaborators, including pelvic floor specialists, doulas, and medical professionals with expertise in women’s sexual health, ensuring that you receive truly holistic care. At CRIWB, you are not alone; you are part of a community that cherishes your journey toward healing and joy.
Women’s sexuality is constantly evolving.
It is old paradigms modern-day feminine roles that have yet to evolve.
The truth is that for women it is completely normal and natural to experience changes in your sexuality (even daily!) depending upon your mood, health, hormones, lifestyle, and context of your life.
Women experience sex very differently because her body is constantly changing. What may feel good one day, may feel quite different the next.
Inability to Orgasm
Most women tend to think that they are the only woman in the world who has never experienced an orgasm. This could not be further from the truth.
A woman’s ability to experience orgasm and her actual orgasm is as unique as her fingerprint. Some women have never had an orgasm. Others can orgasm just fine on their own, but have a hard time getting there with a partner.
And for women in a relationship, the inability to reach orgasm is a frustrating experience for a woman and her partner. Misinformation and even too much information, by both her and her partner, often leads to more frustration and unneeded pressure. We work on this issue with both the woman and her partner so that both are educated and supported during the treatment.
Low Sex Drive | Low Libido
One of the most common problems brought up in sex therapy for women is lack of desire. Sexual desire is quite complex, and the causes of low desire can be numerous. Most women these days live incredibly stressful lives—juggling jobs, relationships, parenting and numerous other commitments. Many find it hard to find the time or energy for sex. Sometimes it can feel like your sex life has so many things working against it. They experience themselves as tense and over committed. Desire requires space, time and relaxation.
There are also other causes of low desire, including medical conditions, medications, relationship issues, and depression, including postpartum and grief.
Sex therapy for low sex drive looks at all the layers that affect this presenting issue to better understand and respond to the hopes and expectations of each partner and help her to better communicate her wants and needs her partner.
Perimenopause and Menopause: Understanding the Transition
Perimenopause and menopause are significant life stages that can profoundly impact a woman’s sexual health and overall well-being. Perimenopause, the transitional period leading up to menopause, often brings hormonal fluctuations that can lead to various physical and emotional changes, including shifts in libido, vaginal dryness, and changes in mood. These changes can create feelings of confusion and isolation, making it essential for women to understand and embrace their bodies during this time.
Menopause, marked by the cessation of menstrual cycles, can also bring its own set of challenges, including hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and emotional shifts. At CRIWB, we don’t view this time in a woman’s life as simply marked by symptoms; instead, we see it as a profound journey of discovering her authentic self and creating greater freedom in her life.
We recognize that this transitional period can also have a significant impact on relationships and relational dynamics. That’s why we are committed to providing holistic care that addresses the diverse needs of women and their partnerships during this transformative journey. Our extensive network of collaborators—including pelvic floor specialists, doulas, and medical professionals with expertise in women’s sexual health—enables us to offer compassionate guidance tailored to each woman’s unique experiences.
Together, we help women navigate perimenopause and menopause, fostering a healthier relationship with their bodies, desires, and their partners. By cultivating strategies to enhance intimacy and restore pleasure, we empower women to embrace this transition with grace and confidence.
Aging
There are few areas in women’s sexual health more misunderstood than sex and aging. Society often sends the message that a woman’s sexual life fades as she ages, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Aging brings about changes, but it also presents new opportunities for sexual and relational growth.
As women age, they may notice physical shifts that impact their sexual experience, but these changes don’t mean the end of pleasure or intimacy. For many, aging is a time to deepen their connection with themselves and their partners, exploring new ways of relating that go beyond physical performance. Changes in the body—such as a slower response to arousal or the impact of chronic health conditions—are natural, but they don’t diminish a woman’s capacity for intimacy or fulfillment.
Relational dynamics also play a significant role as women grow older. Long-term relationships may shift, with partners needing to renegotiate intimacy, emotional connection, and desires. Open communication becomes even more important as partners navigate physical aging, caregiving responsibilities, and changes in lifestyle. For some, the absence of pregnancy concerns can lead to a more liberated sexual experience, while others may find that body image challenges arise as they adjust to changes in shape and size.
At CRIWB, we understand the complexities of aging and sexual health. Our holistic approach supports women in embracing their evolving bodies and relationships. We help clients find new pathways to pleasure, emotional connection, and intimacy, allowing them to rediscover their sexuality with confidence and joy, no matter their age.
Trauma | Abuse
Sexual abuse is extremely common with some studies estimating that one in three women has been directly experienced sexual trauma or abuse. With modern movement such as “Me Too,” we also know that the impact of sexual abuse and trauma is much wider—most women have been exposed to some type of sexual harassment at some point in her life—cat calling, unwanted proposals, witnessing sexual abuse, and slut shaming to name a few. Sexual abuse and sexual harassment can create lasting anxiety and fear about sex, the inability to enjoy intimacy, and sexual pain.
Exposure to war, unsafe homes, domestic violence, and dating violence can also lead to sexual trauma. Sex Therapy after trauma or abuse is an integral part of healing for a woman’s recovery and creating more desire and connection with her partner.
Painful Sex | Pelvic Pain
Some women experience muscle spasms, dryness, or deep internal pain—often resulting in the inability to enjoy intimacy or sex. Genito Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder including: Vulvodynia, Vaginismus, and /or Sexual Aversion.
At CRIWB, we do a thorough bio-psychosocial assessment and work with other healthcare providers to help women get a proper diagnosis and treatment for sexual pain. We help women and their partners understand the physical, emotional and mental impact of sexual pain and how to create the relationship dynamics that will support healing.
Revitalizing Connection with Partner
Often women seek help when they notice that the sexual chemistry has faded in their relationship—sex feels routine, mechanical, and disconnected. Frequency and playfulness gone. Some women worry about boring their partners in the bedroom. Others begin to recognize that sex was never very good in the relationship or that the relationship has never included her sexual needs.
Sex therapy for women can help those wanting to increase her and their partner’s sexual skills, clarify sexual needs and heal relationship dynamics that impact connection, intimacy and sexual satisfaction.
Body Image
Women of all ages are consistently bombarded with bodily “standards” and expectations—flat and toned stomachs, thigh “gap,” ever perky, firm, large breasts, unaged, unblemished skin. This leaves many women feeling uncomfortable and tense in her own skin.
When distracted by the way the body is supposed to look and move, sex can be less desired.
Women are helped to develop healthier relationships with their bodies and learn to experience greater bodily pleasure. The more comfortable a woman is in her body, enjoys and takes pleasure from her body, moves freely in her body, the more enriched are her life and of those around her.
Other Commonly Helped Issues During Sex Therapy for Women
- Low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness
- Superwoman complex and perfectionism… having to do it all and not asking for help
- Balancing traditional feminine roles with modern ambitions and work-home demands
- Aging and sexuality
- Peri-menopause and menopause impact on libido and desire
- Relationship recovering from an affair or betrayal
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