Sex therapy is a specialized form of therapy that helps couples and individuals navigate intimate challenges, fostering emotional and physical connection between partners and self. At the East Lansing practice of Dr. Sara Dupuis, a Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, the goal of sex therapy is not just to address the sexual aspects of the relationship, but also to explore the underlying factors that may be affecting intimacy, such as emotional closeness, trust, communication, and self-confidence.
Challenges in the sexual aspect of their relationship can stem from a variety of causes. Some may struggle with low desire, while others may face pain or discomfort during intimacy, or feel anxious about performance. You may even find that emotional disconnect or unresolved past trauma makes it difficult to engage in physical intimacy. Whatever the issue may be, these feelings can lead to frustration, misunderstanding, and emotional distance between partners.
Sex therapy provides a compassionate, non-judgmental space to explore these challenges. Dr. Sara helps individuals and couples understand and work through concerns related to:
- Low confidence: Feeling unsure about your body or abilities in intimacy can create anxiety and avoidance. Therapy helps build self-esteem and comfort in intimate settings.
- Low desire: A diminished interest in sexual activity or discordance in desire with one’s partner can occur for many reasons—emotional, psychological, or physical. Dr. Sara helps you and your partner identify the root causes and find ways to reignite connection and desire. For people affected by traumatic experiences, this may include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, which helps to reduce the intensity of traumatic memories.
- Pain or performance issues: Pain or performance issues: Physical discomfort or worries about performance, including erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, can be sensitive topics to address, but sex therapy provides a safe space to talk about these issues and explore solutions, whether through education, medical referrals, or emotional support.
- Lack of emotional connection: Intimacy often begins with emotional connection. If you’re feeling disconnected or struggling to communicate with your partner, sex therapy can help you rebuild that bond, making physical intimacy more meaningful and fulfilling. Dr. Sara is trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy, both of which help couples to better understand and communicate their needs and maintain a high degree of closeness as they settle into new patterns.
Sex therapy is not just about problems—it’s about enhancing communication, increasing understanding, and nurturing deeper intimacy. Dr. Sara places your unique experiences, emotions, and needs at the heart of every conversation. By working together, you and your partner can build a stronger foundation of trust and affection, enabling a greater degree of pleasure.
If you and your partner are struggling with any aspect of intimacy, know that help is available. Sex therapy can offer you the tools, support, and guidance to bring back confidence, connection, and joy in your relationship. Dr. Sara Dupuis provides sex therapy to couples at her East Lansing office and virtually to Michigan residents. Call 517-944-4232 or schedule a consultation through our website.