Ways to work together

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is sex therapy?

Sex therapy is talk therapy with a specialist trained in sexuality and relationships. It is conversation-based - there is never any physical exam, undressing, or touch of any kind. Together, you and I make sense of what is getting in the way of the intimacy you want, and I give you practical, personalized tools to change it.

Is there ever any physical contact, nudity, or demonstration?

No. Never. Sex therapy is entirely conversation-based and completely professional. Nothing physical, sexual, or demonstrative ever happens in a session, and that is an absolute ethical boundary rather than a matter of preference or comfort level. There is no physical examination, no undressing, and no touch of any kind. If you have encountered anything online suggesting otherwise about the field, know that what is described is not sex therapy and not the practice of any licensed, certified clinician.

Do I need to be in a relationship to come?

Not at all. I work with individuals just as often as couples and partners. Plenty of the work - confidence, desire, shame, past experiences - is deeply personal and does not require a partner in the room.

What kinds of issues do you help with?

Low or mismatched desire, arousal and orgasm difficulties, pain during sex, erectile concerns, performance anxiety, out-of-control sexual behavior, infidelity recovery, communication and conflict, life and medical transitions, LGBTQ+ identity and relationships, non-monogamy, and the shame that so often accompanies all of it.

Is what I share confidential?

Yes. Your sessions are private and confidential, protected by law and by professional ethics, with only the narrow exceptions every licensed therapist is required to follow (such as imminent safety concerns). This is a space where nothing is too taboo to say out loud.

What happens in a first session?

Mostly, you and I get to know each other. You tell me what brought you in and what you are hoping for; I listen, ask questions, and share how I would approach it. There is no pressure and no script - just an honest conversation to see whether I am the right fit for you.

Do you offer virtual sessions, or only in person?

Both, and you are free to choose or to switch. I see clients in person in Sarasota and by secure video throughout Florida and Connecticut. Virtual sessions carry the same depth of care as being in the room, and some people find that talking about intimate subjects is actually easier from their own home. Others value the grounding of meeting face to face. For a video session you need a private space where you will not be overheard, a reasonable connection, and headphones if they help you feel more secure.

Where is your office?

My in-person office is at MindSpa Integrative Wellness Center, 5632 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34233, with easy parking and a calm, private waiting area. It is a discreet setting rather than a clinical one, which most people appreciate given the subject matter. If in-person does not suit your schedule or your comfort level, I also see clients by secure video throughout Florida and Connecticut, and many people move between the two formats as life requires.

How long does therapy usually take?

It genuinely depends on what you are bringing and what you want from it. Some people come with a focused concern and find meaningful relief within a few months. Others are working with longer histories, trauma, or patterns built over decades, and that work unfolds over a longer stretch. We will talk openly about pace and progress as we go, and I will tell you honestly what I think rather than keeping you in therapy indefinitely. You are always free to pause or stop, and reviewing whether the work is helping is a normal part of it.

What approaches do you use?

My work is integrative and relational. I draw primarily from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy - always tailored to you rather than forced through one model.

What are your credentials?

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), a Certified Sex Therapist (CST), an AASECT-certified sex therapist and supervisor, and a clinical sexologist. I also teach and supervise other therapists in training.

Is this a judgment-free space for LGBTQ+ and non-monogamous clients?

Absolutely. My practice is affirming and inclusive. I support identity development, minority stress, relationship structures of every kind, and authentic sexual expression - without pathologizing who you are or how you love.

What is the difference between sex therapy and coaching?

As a licensed therapist, I am trained and regulated to work with the emotional, relational, and mental-health dimensions of sexuality - including trauma - not just goals and techniques. That clinical depth is what allows lasting change, safely.

Do you take insurance?

Some plans, yes. The quickest way to get a real answer for your own plan is the booking page, which has an insurance checker that gives you an estimated cost per session before you commit to anything. If your plan is out of network, I can provide superbills, which are itemized receipts you submit yourself for possible reimbursement. And if you would rather just ask a person, reach out and I will walk you through current fees and payment options directly. I would much rather have a straightforward conversation about cost than have you rule out therapy on an assumption.

How do I get started?

Book a free, confidential consultation. It is a short conversation - no pressure, no judgment - to talk about what is bringing you here and whether I am the right fit for you. You can request one any time from this site.

Can we work together if I do not live in Sarasota?

Very likely, yes. I am licensed in Florida and Connecticut, and licensure is what determines where a therapist may practice. The rule is about where you are sitting during the session, not where you happen to be from, so if you are physically located in Florida or Connecticut when we meet, we can work together by secure video. That covers Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami, the Panhandle, and every small town in between, along with clients across Connecticut. If you travel often or split the year between states, tell me at the consultation and we will look at your calendar together, because a session that falls while you are in a third state is one we would need to reschedule.

What if my partner will not come to therapy?

Come anyway. This is one of the most common situations I see, and it is far from hopeless. A relationship is a system, and when one person changes how they respond, the pattern between the two of you changes too. Individual work can help you get clear on what you actually want, stop repeating the conversations that go nowhere, and learn to raise hard subjects in a way that is more likely to be heard. Quite often a reluctant partner becomes curious once they see something shifting, and joins later. Sometimes they never do, and the work is still worth it, because you leave with more clarity about yourself either way.

Do you provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement?

Yes. A superbill is an itemized receipt you submit to your insurance company yourself if your plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits. Before assuming you need one, it is worth checking the insurance estimator on the booking page, because some plans are accepted directly. If yours is not, call the number on your card and ask specifically about out-of-network outpatient mental health coverage, your deductible, and what percentage they reimburse, then bring those numbers to our consultation and we can plan around them.

Is the contact form a private way to reach you?

It is confidential in the sense that your message comes only to me and I am the person who reads and answers it. It is not, however, an encrypted clinical channel, and no ordinary email or web form is. So share as much or as little as you like: a single sentence such as "something needs to change and I am not sure where to start" is a completely sufficient first message. You never need to put sensitive detail in writing to get a reply from me. The deeper conversation belongs in the session itself, where confidentiality is protected by law and by professional ethics.

What if I am in crisis or need help right now?

Please do not wait for an email reply. I am a solo practitioner and often in session, so this website is not an emergency service and messages are not monitored around the clock. If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which is free, confidential, and available at any hour, or call 911. If you are experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233. Once you are safe, I am still glad to hear from you about ongoing work.

What if I cannot explain what is wrong?

That is a perfectly good reason to come, and a very common one. Plenty of people arrive able to say only that something feels off, that they are further from their partner than they used to be, or that desire has quietly gone and they do not know why. Finding language for it is part of the work rather than a prerequisite for it. You do not need a diagnosis, a theory, or a tidy account of your history. Bring the confusion as it actually is and we will make sense of it together.

Will you tell me whether to stay in my relationship?

No, and you should be wary of any therapist who does. That decision is yours, and you are the only person who will live with it. What I can do is help you see the pattern you are caught in clearly, understand what each of you is contributing to it, and find out whether it can change. Some couples discover a great deal worth saving once they can finally talk about the real thing. Others reach a clear-eyed, less bitter decision to part. My job is to make the choice an informed one rather than to make it for you.