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  • Sex Therapy in Denver, Colorado

    SEX is Between the Ears, Not the Legs!

    Sex therapy is helpful for individuals or couples to explore their pleasure, overcome sexual challenges and begin to live their best sex life.

    We are, after all, wholistic beings! Our largest sex organ is the brain. Sex is not only a physical act, but a mental one. Our sexual experience impacts our thoughts, emotions and behaviors.
    My approach to sex and relationship therapy takes a whole-body approach in order to understand and overcome what may be going on at the physical level.

    Through exploration, education, and a myriad of tools, we will find ways together to overcome any emotional or physical challenges you are currently experiencing.

    Sex is often one of the first signs that something is wrong within a relationship or our mental and physical health. It is my job to help you fall in love with yourself and experience the sex life you want.

    Sex Therapy can help you start letting go of any performance anxiety, fears, challenges in your relationship, sexual dysfunctions, and help begin living a pleasurable and satisfying sex life.

    Are you ready to take control of your sex life and start feeling more sexually empowered?

    Sex is awesome. Or rather, it should be. Aside from the fact that it’s our tried-and-true way of continuing the human race, sex can also be incredibly fun and satisfying. Unfortunately, however, we humans have an artistic flair for going about things in the wrong way: we elevate the importance of sexuality in our entertainment and advertisements while simultaneously cheapening its authenticity.

    It’s no wonder so many of us are so often confused, frustrated or anxious about sex. Despite how much it permeates various levels of our day-to-day very little in the way of open and honest discourse about physical intimacy happens in the limelight. No, instead sex usually makes the headlines when someone is sleeping with someone other than who they should be sleeping with (or doing so in a way that many deem questionable).

    So, instead of it being a surprise when people seek out sex therapy, it should come to us as more of a shock when people are not seeking guidance on what’s arguably one of the most important human activities. Even those who claim to have a satisfying sex life would admit that there’s much they can learn about themselves and their partners.

    If you (or you and your partner together) are interested in seeking sex therapy in Denver, Alexandra Leaderman LPC is a specially trained and licensed clinician who is ready to meet and discuss what it means for to have a healthy sex life.

    SCHEDULE A FREE 15-MINUTE CONSULTATION

    WHAT IS SEX THERAPY?

    Sex therapy is nothing to be afraid of! It is traditional psychotherapy, with a Licensed professional who has extensive training through The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) as a sex therapist. These professionals have specialized training and education about supporting clients to promote physiological and emotional wellbeing related to sexuality and pleasure. Working with a sex therapist, you will develop a better relationship to your body, be able to express your desires and relate to your partner(s) with new authenticity and honesty.

    Alexandra Leaderman LPC approaches sex therapy from a clinical standpoint, which means she aims to help, not to judge. Regardless of your relationship status, sexual preference or gender identity, expect your sex therapy and sexual heath work with at Denver Colorado Counseling to be accepting. I will encourage you to pursue a healthy sex life that fits you. I won’t push you toward a mode of physical intimacy that aligns with his or her own personal opinions and life experiences.

    With respect to the deeply personal and unique nature of an individual’s sex life, I am committed to creating treatment plans that are tailored to your specific needs and preferences.

    Sex therapy is talk therapy. As your sex therapist, I will speak with you in-depth about whatever issue you are facing, as well as discuss your diet, medical history, and lifestyle. The information you provide will determine the structure of our sessions, which will aim to bring you peace of mind, increased sexual satisfaction and stronger romantic relationships.

    Some common challenges discussed in Denver Colorado Counseling’s sex therapy sessions include:

    • Little to no sex in a long-term relationship
    • Lack of sexual satisfaction (or even boredom)
    • Erectile dysfunction
    • Sexual addiction
    • Low libido
    • Religious pressures
    • Problems with anxiety or “tiredness”

    • Painful sex
    • Unwanted fetishes
    • Premature ejaculation
    • Difficulty reaching orgasm
    • Recovery from sexual assault
    • Body image issues

    SPECIFIC ISSUE(S) I'M SKILLED AT HELPING WITH:

    Sex, Relationships + Mental Health:

    • Challenging stigmas related to gender, sex, mental health, etc.,
    • Victim blaming, slut-shaming and other sex-negative perspectives,
    • The impacts of trauma on the brain and body,
    • Trauma (sexual, emotional, physical, financial, spiritual, etc.)
    • Healing from trauma holistically,
    • Recognizing and healing from Narcissistic/Toxic Relationships
    • Betrayal trauma and infidelity,
    • Enmeshment in families, covert incest, among women and men

    Relationships + Sexuality

    • Relationship dynamics,
    • How couples can improve their connection and sexual satisfaction,
    • Sexuality, dating and culture,
    • How to increase sexual pleasure, and improve sexual activity
    • Sexual health, sexual dysfunction, sexual orientation, sexual fantasies, and other sexual dimensions
    • Pain during sex and treatment options
    • Mismatched libidos
    • Exploring alternative lifestyles + Kink

    Sexual Violence

    • Sexual abuse, sexual assault and sexual harassment,
    • Human trafficking: prevention, offending and treatment,
    • The weaponization of sex and sexuality in modern culture,
    • Sexual erasure + fetishization or marginalized groups

    Problematic Sexual Behavior

    • Sex addiction (Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorders)
    • Sexual Anorexia
    • Compulsive or problematic porn use
    • Addictive relationships
    • Love Addiction and Love Avoidance

    SEX THERAPY FOR ONE!

    You do not need to be in a relationship to work on any sexual challenges you are experiencing.

    Sex Therapy can help…

    • Heal from Past Trauma or Sexual Abuse
    • Increase Sexual Comfort/Decrease Performance Anxiety
    • Erectile Dysfunction/delayed or premature ejaculation
    • Pain during Sex
    • Challenges in having an orgasm

    • Heal Porn/Sex Addiction
    • Overcome Cultural/Societal Barriers
    • Heal from Infidelity
    • Address Fetishes/Sexual Fantasies

    COUPLES SEX THERAPY

    Sex therapy is founded in knowing yourself, your partner, and how to communicate.

    Are you or your partner consistently “too tired” or “not in the mood” to be physically intimate? Are you concerned that your partner doesn’t understand how to meet your sexual needs, and may never figure it out? Do you find yourself attracted to someone outside your typical sexual preference and feel confused as a result? Are you tired of the emotional anguish that comes along with a problematic sex life? Relief is available. You don’t have to struggle alone. Millions of people have been through similar trials and have found a way to overcome those challenges and to build stronger, long-lasting romantic relationships.

    Are you stuck in a sexless relationship?

    Do you and your partner have mismatched sexual desires?

    Are you having performance issues?

    Do you not feel emotionally connected anymore?

    Or maybe you want to spice up your love life, but your partner isn’t interested.

    If sexual issues are preventing true closeness between you and your partner, you may want to consider sex therapy.

    Sex Therapy can help…

    • Increase Sexual Intimacy
    • Increase Sexual Connection
    • Overcome a sexless relationship
    • Heal from Past Trauma or Sexual Abuse
    • Address Erectile Dysfunction/Inability to Orgasm
    • Poly Relationships
    • Increase Sexual Comfort/Decrease Performance Anxiety

    • Overcome Cultural/Societal Barriers
    • Improve Communication
    • Heal Porn/Sex Addiction
    • Heal after Infidelity
    • Explore Fetishes/ Sexual Fantasies
    • Learn Sensate Focused Therapy

    ON WORKING WITH COUPLES:

    I have a passion for helping couples heal. I see many couples trying heroically to reach each other only to turn away in despair that they will be heard or get their needs met. I see people who love each other but feel so unloved and unimportant. Many are hopeless. They are often very angry and are fighting for their lives and their relationships in ways that defeat them.

    Attachment injuries are often the root causes of couples’ inability to create intimacy and a failure to maintain a satisfying sex life. Physical intimacy between a couple can be the glue that holds the relationship together and so I work with couples to reinvent their sex lives as their friendship is repaired.

    Common Intimacy & Sexual Dysfunction Concerns

    There are a few common concerns that people of all genders have, regarding sexual arousal and function. People experience various types of sexual dysfunction, whether they are single, dating or in a committed relationship. Difficulties with arousal disorders sexual function can be born out of past trauma, fear of vulnerability, intimacy or commitment, shame or feelings of inadequacy. They can also come from insufficient communication, stress, lack of sex education, unrealistic expectations, biological or medical causes, medication side effects, etc.

    Mismatched Libido

    Partners experiencing mismatched libidos is a common intimacy concern for couples. Humans are nuanced individuals, and everyone has different needs, turn ons, fantasies, expectations and fears, etc., that factor into libido. There is no objective right or wrong, when it comes to sex drive and libido. When people in a relationship have differences, it can create feelings of sexual and emotional disconnection.

    It can be tricky deciding how to navigate different libidos. Loving partners don’t want to see their partner unhappy. Healthy, pro-relationship communication is needed to reach an understanding. Working with a couples’ therapist, specifically a Certified Sex Therapist, can help couples start, and safety move through, these conversations. Together, you can preserve each other’s needs, and co-create a hot and healthy sex life.

    Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

    Erectile Dysfunction (ED) can be characterized by an inability to maintain an erection during sexual intimacy. It can happen when a person is sexual with others or with themselves. An inability to remain erect can happen as a result of certain medications, heart disease, mental health concerns, or substances like alcohol. People who experience ED may experience shame, embarrassment, and may even isolate themselves from romantic relationships to avoid the issue. However, ED is very common and can be treated both medically and psychologically.

    It can be helpful to meet with a physician to rule out any medical issues or medication interference that could be impacting your libido or erection capacity. Working with a Certified Sex Therapists to address any psychological aspects that can impact erectile function.

    Premature Ejaculation (Early Ejaculation)

    According to The Mayo Clinic, as many as 1 in 3 men report having experienced early ejaculation (EE). Previously referred to as premature ejaculation, this sexual dysfunction involves a person with a penis ejaculating sooner than they would like during sexual activity.

    This can happen during masturbation or during sexual activity with a partner(s). Early ejaculation may not be a concern if it occurs once in a blue moon. However, it may be more concerning if it occurs frequently enough that you believe it negatively impacts your relationship or sex life.

    Pain During Sex Including Dyspareunia & Vaginismus

    Two common sexual dysfunctions or challenges people with vaginas can experience are related to painful intercourse. Dyspareunia and Vaginismus are conditions that can be treated with this type of therapy, the help of a treatment team, including reproductive and mental health practitioners.

    There are many physical, relational and psychological factors that can cause these sexual dysfunctions, including: Vaginal dryness, Menopause, Injury from pelvic surgery, Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Floor concerns, Stress and anxiety, Fear, Guilt or shame about sex, Body image and self-esteem, Relationship problems, History of trauma

    When treating conditions that cause pain during sex, it’s common to work with a gynecologist as well as a mental health professional in order to attune to both the physical and psychological impacts to your sexual health. While reproductive health professional can diagnose the condition, working with a therapist can help navigate the emotional or relational factors in order to help improve sexual functioning.

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SEX THERAPY:

    Q: HOW DOES SEX THERAPY WORK?

    A: As a sex therapist, I focus on the physical relationship between two people in a relationship, then identify the couple’s attitudes about sex and the sexual problem. From there, I’ll often recommend specific exercises to refocus the couple’s attention and expectations.
    Specific objectives may include the following:
    • Learning to eliminate and relax distractions
    • Learning to communicate what you’d like in a positive way
    • Learning nonsexual touching techniques
    • Increasing or enhancing sexual stimulation
    • Minimizing pain during intercourse
    If you’d like to explore sex therapy, I want you to know that you aren’t alone in having sexual problems and that I can help. Please contact me today for a free consultation to see if we are a good match.

    Q: WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE BENEFIT FROM SEX THERAPY SESSIONS AT DENVER COLORADO COUNSELNG?

    A: Sex therapy is useful for people at any stage of adulthood. In fact, it’s crucial. You’re feeling like your spouse or sexual partner isn’t meeting your needs, or maybe you feel like you’re the one not meeting your partner’s needs (which be a far greater drain on your emotions). The typical reaction is to sulk, grow distant and possibly even to turn toward marital infidelity. These types of negative reflexes, however, usually serve only in temporarily burying the hurt and disillusionment.
    A therapist who specializes in sexual health/sex therapy, on the other hand, will help you determine the source of the issue and will equip you with the necessary tools for working through your problems. In other words, the goal is to fix what’s broken or misaligned, not to complicate it.
    The truth is that understanding yours and your partner’s sexuality bodes for a stronger overall relationship in addition to increased sexual satisfaction. It’s an awkward conversation to broach — few people are keen to bring up such intimate concerns with the person who might be most hurt by them — but it’s an important conversation nonetheless, one that promises to deepen the connection the two of you share. Even as we grow older, it is still important to assess our sex lives. Physical intimacy may change with the aging of our bodies, but it doesn’t have to cease. In fact, it’s well known that continuing to be sexually active throughout your life helps promote physical, and emotional well-being. Schedule an Appointment with Alexandra Leaderman LPC at Denver Colorado Counseling.