“Psychosexual counselling is a form of talking therapy that helps individuals, couples and all other types of relationships to address sexual difficulties in a safe, supportive environment. It’s not just about “fixing” a lack of desire or performance fears—it’s about understanding all the deeper emotional, relational, and physical factors that can contribute to sexual problems.
For many couples, sex becomes a source of stress rather than the positive connection it should be. This can happen for many reasons, including trauma, changing bodies, mental health, stress, or mismatched libidos. Over time, these issues can lead to feelings of rejection, shame, or frustration,
A psychosexual therapist’s job is to help unpack these issues with compassion and without judgment. Through guided conversations and homework exercises, couples can explore their own beliefs about sex, learn to communicate their needs more openly, and develop new ways of connecting, emotionally and physically.
Psychosexual counselling isn’t just for couples experiencing a crisis. Even strong relationships can benefit from having a space to explore intimacy more deeply. It can be useful to discuss how sex and intimacy changes through our lives, especially after childbirth or when entering menopause,
This style of counselling can help couples move from silence and stress to openness and connection. It’s not about “fixing” anyone—it’s about learning, healing, and growing together. For couples willing to be honest with each other and do the work, the result can be a healthier, more satisfying relationship—inside and outside the bedroom.”
Susan, Psychosexual Counsellor at Nightingale Counselling
Testimonials
“I decided to make an appointment with Susan after struggling for years with the fallout from sexual trauma I experienced as a teenager. Susan was so welcoming and put me at ease straight away. She is really easy to talk to and I felt like I could be completely honest about what I was going through without fear of judgement. After 11 sessions I was left feeling so much more confident and comfortable, and I am now looking forward to enjoying a healthier and more fulfilling sex life. I would definitely recommend Susan to anyone who was feeling nervous about seeking psychosexual counselling.”
“Understandably we were nervous going along to see Susan for the first time, but she quickly made us feel at ease, and although some discussions we had were difficult, after a few weeks, we felt much calmer going along to each session. We always thought we were quite good at communicating, but Susan really helped us talk about things we hadn’t really talked about before. She created a safe and encouraging environment for both of us. This type of counselling was quite different to what I had experienced before – it was much more specific and practical, but it has really helped us to address our difficulties with having children and has brought us closer as a couple. There was no immediate magical solution, but undertaking the counselling with Susan has definitely given us hope during this long journey.”