“Sex therapist near me.” Who knew when you started googling you’d find so many options and be left with SO many questions? I’m a Philadelphia sex therapist and I’m here to help!

How do I know if I need therapy? Especially sex therapy?

You’ll know you need this if you’ve been frustrated and struggling to have good sex for a while. You may feel like what you’re doing isn’t helping, and may even be making things worse. This is causing you to feel more anxiety about sex. Sex is an important part of life, but it shows up differently for everyone. And there are many other factors that influence sex outside your drive, performance, confidence, etc. If you’re stressed out about sex and feel like what you’ve tried isn’t helping, sex therapy can help! Check out The Top 5 Myths and Facts About Sex Therapy to learn more.

Who do you work with? 

My clients are stressed, frustrated, and just underwhelmed with their sex lives. They’re looking for a holistic approach to shift their thoughts and experiences because they have realized a good sex life isn’t just about what happens in the bedroom (or wherever they’re having sex). They seek ways to decrease stress and get better sleep, lower anxiety about sex, feel more connected, find better ways to fuel and move their bodies, and find more things that bring them pleasure. They enjoy brainstorming ways to shift unhelpful habits and are ready to try new things so they can make change now. Click here to learn more about the work I do and my specialties.

Where do sex therapy sessions take place? 

I offer telehealth, or online sex therapy in the Philadelphia area and throughout PA. There are so many benefits to engaging in services this way. You can save time and scheduling is easier, as you don’t have to factor in extra time to get to the office, find parking, get into the building, and then do it all in reverse when you’re going home. It also can be less stressful because you’re already in a safe, familiar environment and that can help you feel more comfortable and allow you to open up more easily with me, which is important so you can start seeing awesome outcomes ASAP. For more info on how to make the most of telehealth, check out these 5 Tips for Optimizing Online Sex Therapy.

How long is a sex therapy session? 

My sessions are typically 45-50 min on a weekly basis. We start with a 5-10 min follow-up on how the goals from last week are going (trying a new stress reduction technique, shifting your sleep routine, researching a new sex toy, using a new communication tactic) or any new developments. We then dive deeper to continue exploring what’s working in your sexploration, what’s getting in the way, and how to keep building on progress being made.

What happens during the first online sex therapy session? 

During the initial session, we’ll start by discussing how sessions are structured and what they may feel like. Then we get to the good stuff and dive into some sexual (and non-sexual health) history. This allows us to get into more detail about the sex issues, identify different pieces of the puzzle, and get a better idea of what’s going on and what you want to change. For more info check out What to expect during your first online sex therapy session blog post.

How often will I need to come to sex therapy sessions? 

Most people don’t call me right away. They call when they want to feel better so I want to dig in and help you progress as quickly as possible. I work very closely and intensely with my clients and that means we meet once a week, every week until you reach your goals.

How long will I need to come to therapy? 

This varies by individual and couple, but on average my clients work with me for at least a year. It’s been my experience that people get more bang for their buck (ha!) if they really invest for a shorter period of time. A year may not seem short, but it is when comparing that with needing many years of ongoing therapy to make progress. This is also why I meet with clients weekly. You actually end up spending less time, money, and energy this way, as you progress more quickly and the process is more rewarding.

What therapeutic modalities do you use?

I’ve found a mixture of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Strengths-Based Therapy, and Somatic Therapy to be the most helpful interventions for my clients. I utilize a holistic approach to help sync up mind and body because things like stress, sleep, diet, movement or lack thereof, etc. all impact your sexual health and functioning.

How much do sex therapy sessions cost in Philadelphia, PA? 

My fees are $170 per 50 min individual session and $195 per 50 min couple’s session. These are comparable to the average rate for sex therapy sessions in the Philadelphia area.

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under this law, healthcare professionals provide clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees. Make sure your healthcare provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059.

Are sex therapy sessions covered by my insurance? 

I offer private pay telehealth sex therapy sessions and do not accept insurance. Through private pay, you can be confident your shared information remains confidential and you receive the best treatment possible, without restrictions. However, depending on your plan benefits, there may be some ways to seek coverage or partial coverage of sessions through your insurance company. See the next question for more info on this.

How do I seek reimbursement from my insurance company? 

Some insurance plans offer partial coverage of online therapy services with an “Out of Network” provider. Call the number on the back of your insurance card to inquire about your coverage. If you have and would like to use these benefits, you would pay my full fee at the time of service and I can provide you with a superbill, or receipt or services, to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Note: Any time you use out-of-network benefits your insurance company can request your records, so keep this in mind if confidentiality is top of your list.

Do you have evening and weekend therapy appointments available? 

Fun fact- talk therapy is most effective in the morning because cortisol levels, which is an alertness hormone, are highest. Due to this, whenever possible I work to schedule morning sessions because why not set ourselves up for the best success possible?! Please click here to inquire about availability. I do my best to maintain a consistent appointment time so you have an easier time keeping track of your schedule and can plan to take this time out for yourself.

What if this isn't working? 

Typically, clients begin feeling better right away, even in the first couple of therapy sessions. But the change process isn’t an overnight fix. Think about any bad habit you’ve kicked- it’s not usually one and done! If something isn’t working I encourage speaking up (which is a big part of our work, right?!) so we can revisit what is working, what’s different, and refocus.

If we’ve tried refocusing and reworking but things still aren’t working, there are many other avenues, providers, and resources I‘d be happy to refer you to.