Sex Therapy in West Palm Beach, Florida

Explore Sex Therapy in a Compassionate Space to Explore, Heal, and Strengthen Intimacy

Are you dissatisfied with your sex life in West Palm Beach? Sex therapy is a strategy using tailored psychotherapy and counseling for the treatment of various forms of sexual dysfunction when there is no medical etiology (physiological reason) — or as a complement to medical treatment.

I’m Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT, and I provide sex therapy for individuals and couples here in West Palm Beach and across Palm Beach County, Florida. With over 20 years of experience in relationship and sexual health counseling, I guide clients through the often-sensitive terrain of desire, intimacy, identity, and communication.

Perhaps you are feeling sexually unfulfilled because you are struggling to reach sexual pleasure with your partner, or it may be one or more of many other issues. The sexual dysfunctions which we can address through sex therapy may include, but are not limited to:

• Non-consummation
• Premature ejaculation
• Erectile dysfunction
• Low libido
• Unwanted sexual fetishes
• Sexual addiction
• Painful sex
• Lack of sexual confidence

I also assist people who are recovering from sexual assault, as well as problems commonly caused by stress, tiredness, and other environmental and relationship factors. Each of these can have overlapping effects on intimacy.

Sexuality is an integral part of our emotional and relational health. When intimacy becomes a source of confusion, stress, or disconnect, it can impact every area of life — from one’s self-esteem and relationships to their mental and emotional well-being. Many people struggle in silence, unsure how to talk about their concerns or where to turn for support.

If you are feeling disconnected from your partner, uncomfortable with your own body, or if you are struggling with desire or performance issues or simply want a more fulfilling intimate life, you are not alone — and therapy can help. I have helped countless individuals and couples overcome intimacy difficulties to pursue an active, healthy, functioning sex life. Don’t delay. Call me, Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT, now at (561) 688-8787(561) 688-8787 or complete my online form to request a free introductory call.

Key Takeaways

• Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT is a psychotherapist offering intimacy and sex therapy to promote satisfying relationships for individuals and couples in West Palm Beach, FL, with telehealth or zoom sessions offered throughout Florida.
• As an experienced sex therapist, Dr. Christiansen helps individuals and couples resolve intimacy issues, enhance sexual connection, and address emotional or physiological challenges around sex.
• Sex therapy can promote relationship satisfaction for individuals and couples experiencing disconnect, confusion, anxiety, sexual difficulties, sexual dysfunction, or dissatisfaction in their sexual relationships.
• Benefits of professionally-guided intimacy therapy often include improved communication, renewed desire, reduced shame or anxiety, healthier boundaries, and greater emotional closeness.
• Easily request a free introductory call with Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT by phone at (561) 688-8787(561) 688-8787 or through the online form.

What Is Sex Therapy?

Sex therapy (or intimacy therapy) is a form of counseling that helps individuals and couples address sexual concerns in a safe, respectful, and nonjudgmental environment. It combines Gottman Ideology with emotional insight, physiological understanding, and relationship dynamics to help you move past obstacles and into greater connection and satisfaction.

Sex therapy is not medical, invasive, or physical in nature. Instead, we talk openly — at your pace — about issues such as:

• Low or mismatched desire
• Painful intercourse or difficulty with arousal
• Performance anxiety
• Erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation
• Difficulty achieving orgasm
• Other difficulties with sexual function or engaging in sexual activity
• Relationship issues involving sex addiction
• Shame or anxiety around sexuality
• Trauma-related intimacy challenges
• A history involving sexual assault
• Body image and self-confidence
• Intimacy after childbirth, illness, or life changes
• Emotional disconnect in long-term relationships

Other issues may contribute to intimacy problems, such as anger management or stress management difficulties, mood disorders, social anxiety, depression, or various relationship matters or mental health or medical conditions.

You do not need to be in a relationship to benefit. As an intimacy and sex therapist, I work with men and women of all orientations and relationship styles to address their sexual problems and improve their sexual life for more satisfying relationships.

Sex Therapy for Men and Women

Sexual challenges can affect anyone — regardless of gender, age, or relationship status. Sex therapists or relationship therapists can address a wide variety of connected issues, and the details of each individual’s or couple’s challenges are distinct. My approach is tailored to your unique experience.

Sex Therapy for Women

Many women come to me feeling overwhelmed by shame, frustration, or confusion around their sexual experience. Common concerns among women include:

• Low sexual desire or “loss of interest”
• Pain during sex (dyspareunia)
• Difficulty achieving orgasm
• Negative body image
• Sexual trauma or past abuse
• Navigating intimacy in perimenopause or post-menopause

Therapy offers a place to unpack these experiences without judgment and reconnect with your body, emotions, and needs.

Sex Therapy for Men

Men often arrive carrying silent burdens — concerns about performance, anxiety, or feelings of inadequacy they’ve never shared aloud. I provide a confidential space for men to address:

• Erectile dysfunction or arousal challenges
• Premature ejaculation
• Pressure to “perform”
• Emotional disconnect from sex
• Fear of intimacy or sexual rejection

Together, we’ll look beyond symptoms and into the deeper emotional, relational, and psychological patterns beneath them.

Common Reasons People Seek Sex Therapy

You may benefit from sex therapy if you’re experiencing:

• A sudden or long-term drop in sexual desire
• Anxiety or dread surrounding sexual intimacy
• Avoidance or conflict in your sexual relationship
• Unresolved shame about your sexual history or identity
• A difference in sexual needs between you and your partner
• Challenges addressing consent, boundaries, or communication
• Sexual trauma that impacts present relationships
• Feelings of disconnection from your body or sensuality

Sex and intimacy therapy isn’t just for crisis — it’s also for individuals who are simply curious, seeking growth, or wanting to reconnect with pleasure and meaning in their intimate lives. I offer personalized care to address underlying causes affecting each of life’s facets to promote mental health, effective coping strategies, and holistic positive change for individuals and couples.

We can address these sexual issues in coordination with intensive couples therapy sessions. Human sexuality is often tied to matters of self-awareness, personal growth, and behavioral issues that are also relevant to couples counseling and considerations. Through couples counseling, we can work to improve your sex life and address sexual issues as we navigate life’s challenges together.

How Sex Therapy Works

Step 1: A Confidential, Shame-Free Consultation

We begin with a private conversation. I create a space where you can share your concerns without fear, shame, or embarrassment. You can talk freely — or as slowly as needed — about your story, symptoms, goals, and hopes for change.

You are in control of what we discuss and how quickly we move.

Step 2: Identify Patterns and Root Issues

Sexual concerns are rarely “just about sex.” We explore emotional, relational, and historical influences that may include:

• Communication breakdowns
• Stress, anxiety, or trauma
• Shame and societal conditioning
• Hormonal or physiological changes
• Past relationships or abuse

This phase provides clarity and connection to the deeper context of your sexual health.

Step 3: Create a Personalized Plan

Depending on your goals, we might focus on:

• Learning to regulate anxiety and stay present during intimacy
• Rebuilding desire and sensual connection with your partner
• Reframing internalized shame or negative beliefs
• Exploring physical boundaries and preferences
• Enhancing communication about sexual needs

As a therapist, I may suggest between-session practices, educational resources, or exercises — always adapted to your comfort and consent.

Depending on your particular issues and needs, we may incorporate a number of broader methodologies and modalities to help you progress. These may include:

• Talk Therapy
• Play Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Couples Therapy
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Step 4: Grow at Your Own Pace

Sex therapy is a collaborative journey. Some clients feel change within weeks; others engage over months as they deepen into emotional and relational healing. There is no pressure or timeline — just a commitment to your truth and growth.

What Makes My Approach Unique

I draw upon over 20 years of experience guiding individuals, couples, and families through relationships and psychological challenges with a social element:

I Offer Whole-Person, Emotionally-Attuned Therapy

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Ph.D. in Humanities and Social Science, I bring deep and extensive training in relational systems, trauma-informed care, and emotional health to our therapy sessions. I don’t treat you as a set of symptoms — I meet you as a whole person with a story that deserves care and respect.

I Maintain a Comfortable, Nonjudgmental Environment

Many clients worry that sex therapy will be awkward or invasive. It’s not. My office (in person or virtual) is a private, calm, and respectful space where we talk — just like in any other form of therapy. You are never asked to act anything out or share more than you want.

I Offer Support for Both Individuals and Couples

Whether you’re attending alone or with a partner, I create a dynamic that supports both honesty and safety. If you are more comfortable talking and working through these matters in individual therapy, I can accommodate your needs and preferences. In couples counseling for intimacy matters, I help couples explore and understand differences in desire, repair intimacy after betrayal or trauma, and rebuild physical closeness with consent and care.

Ask Questions About Sex Therapy or Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT

Your sexuality is not something to ignore, hide, or feel ashamed of. Whether you’re facing a specific issue or you simply want to feel more connected, sex therapy can provide the understanding and support you need.

Call me, Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT, now at (561) 688-8787(561) 688-8787 or complete my online form to request a free introductory call.

Let’s work together to help you rediscover connection — physically, emotionally, and relationally.

Helping Palm Beach County clients achieve peace and harmony since 2000