Reaching out is the first step, and it is often the hardest one
If you have found your way to this page, chances are something has been on your mind for a while. Maybe it is a question you have not known how to ask out loud, a worry about your relationship, or a quiet sense that intimacy and connection have not felt the way you want them to. Whatever brought you here, I want you to know that reaching out does not require you to have the right words, a tidy explanation, or even a clear idea of what you need. It simply requires a moment of willingness, and you have already found that.
My name is Wendy Haggerty, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an AASECT-certified sex therapist based in Sarasota. I work with people who are navigating questions about intimacy, desire, connection, and the many tender places where our closest relationships live. When you contact me, you are not reaching a call center or a front desk. You are reaching me directly, and I read every message personally.
The ways you can connect with me
I try to make getting in touch as simple and low-pressure as possible, because I know that even a small barrier can feel like a large one when the subject is personal. There are a few different ways to reach me, and none is more correct than another. Choose whichever feels most comfortable to you.
- The message form on this page. This is the way most people first reach out, and it is my favorite because it lets you write in your own time, in your own words, without any pressure to explain everything at once. You can be as brief or as detailed as you like.
- Phone. If you would rather speak or leave a short voicemail, you are welcome to call. If I am with a client I will not be able to answer in the moment, but I return calls personally and confidentially.
- Email. Some people prefer email for its ease and paper trail. That works well too, and I treat email with the same care and privacy as every other form of contact.
Whichever route you choose, you are talking to me. There is no gatekeeper to get past and no script you need to follow.
What is helpful to include in a first message
People often ask what they should say in that very first note, and the honest answer is that there is no wrong way to do it. That said, a few small details help me respond in a way that is genuinely useful to you. If it feels natural, you might mention a little about what is bringing you to therapy right now, whether you are thinking about coming on your own or with a partner, and whether you would prefer meeting in person in Sarasota or virtually from elsewhere in Florida. If you have a sense of your general availability or the best way to reach you back, that helps too.
Please hear this clearly, though: you do not need to have any of it figured out. You do not need a diagnosis, a plan, or the perfect way to describe what feels off. Many people write to me with a single sentence like "I am not sure where to start, but something needs to change," and that is completely enough. Figuring things out is the work we do together. Your only job in that first message is to open the door.
How soon I respond
I know that once you have gathered the courage to reach out, waiting can feel uncomfortable. I make it a priority to respond promptly, usually within one to two business days. Because I am a solo practitioner and often in session with clients, I cannot always reply the same hour, but I do reply personally and thoughtfully rather than with an automated form letter. If you have not heard from me within a couple of business days, please feel free to send a gentle follow-up, as very occasionally a message can slip into a spam folder on one end or the other.
Your privacy and confidentiality
Confidentiality is the foundation of the work I do, and it begins the very first moment you contact me, not later when you become a client. Anything you share when you reach out is held in confidence. I understand that the topics I work with, including sexuality, desire, and the private life of a relationship, are among the most sensitive a person can raise, and I treat them with the discretion and respect they deserve. Your name, your story, and the simple fact that you contacted me are all kept private.
Who I work with
I work with individuals, with partners, and with couples, and the concerns that bring people to me are wide-ranging. Some come to explore differences in desire, some to rebuild trust after an affair, some to work through the lingering effects of sexual trauma, and some simply because closeness has faded and they want it back. You can read more about the specific areas I focus on across my services, including sex therapy, couples therapy, and individual therapy. If you are wondering whether your particular situation is something I work with, the best thing to do is simply ask. There is a good chance it is, and if it is not, I will point you toward someone who can help.
A question versus a consultation
Sometimes people reach out with a specific question: whether I work with a certain concern, how virtual sessions work, or what my general approach is. You are always welcome to send a question like that, and I am happy to answer it. Other times, people know they are ready to take a real step forward, and for that I offer a free consultation. The consultation is a short, no-pressure conversation designed to help us get a feel for each other and decide together whether working with me makes sense for you. If you already sense you are ready, you can head straight to my consultation page to begin. If you are not sure which you want, that is fine too. Just write to me, and we will figure it out together.
In person in Sarasota or virtual across Florida and Connecticut
I see clients in person at MindSpa Integrative Wellness Center, located at 5632 Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota. It is a calm, welcoming space, and many people appreciate the grounding feeling of meeting face to face. I also offer secure virtual sessions to clients throughout Florida and Connecticut, which means you can work with me from Tampa, Orlando, Miami, the Panhandle, or anywhere in between, all from the privacy of your own home. Virtual sessions are just as personal and effective as in-person ones, and many clients find them more sustainable for a busy life. When you reach out, let me know which you prefer, and we can talk through what will work best for you.
What happens after you reach out
Here is what you can expect once you send that first message. I will read it personally and reply within a business day or two. If you asked a question, I will answer it. If you are interested in getting started, I will suggest a free consultation and personally work with you to find a time that fits your schedule. From there, we talk, we get a sense of one another, and you decide, with no obligation, whether you would like to move forward. There is no long intake gauntlet standing between you and a real human conversation. The whole point is to make the path in feel as human and unintimidating as the work itself.
A warm word before you write
Whatever has been sitting on your heart, you do not have to carry it alone, and you do not have to have it all sorted out before you say hello. Many of the people I now work with told me later that the hardest part was the first message, and that once they hit send, they felt a wave of relief they had not expected. If you would like to learn more about me before you write, you are welcome to visit my about page. And when you are ready, whether that is today or a month from now, I would be glad to hear from you.
Common questions
Do I need to know exactly what my problem is before I contact you?
Not at all. Most people reach out precisely because things feel tangled and hard to name. Bringing clarity to what is going on is part of the work we do together. A single honest sentence is a perfectly good place to begin.
Is my message really confidential?
Yes. Everything you share when you contact me is held in confidence from the very first word, including the fact that you reached out at all. Privacy is central to how I practice, especially given the personal nature of what I work with.
How quickly will I hear back?
I aim to respond personally within one to two business days. As a solo practitioner I am often in session, so I may not reply within the hour, but you will hear from me, and it will be me writing, not an automated system.
Can I work with you if I do not live in Sarasota?
Yes. I offer secure virtual sessions to clients anywhere in Florida, so you can work with me from home no matter where in the state you live. I also see clients in person in Sarasota for those who prefer to meet face to face.
What if I just have a question and am not ready to commit?
That is completely welcome. You can send me a question with no expectation of going further. If and when you feel ready for a next step, the free consultation is there whenever you want it.
What will it cost to work with you?
I understand that cost is a real consideration, and I want to be transparent about it. Rather than list figures that may not fit your particular situation, I invite you to reach out, and I will personally walk you through my fees and the options available so you can make an informed decision.