When couples face challenges in their relationship, seeking professional help is a courageous and proactive step. Two common therapeutic approaches — sex therapy or coaching and couples therapy or coaching — offer distinct yet often complementary paths to healing and growth. Let's explore the key differences and help you determine which option might best suit your needs.
Understanding Sex Therapy / Coaching
Sex therapy and sex coaching are specialized and focus not only on the relationship itself, but also encompasses sexual concerns, intimacy issues, and physical relationships.
A certified sex therapist or sex coach has advanced training in addressing various concerns, including challenges in sex, in experiencing pleasure, and performance concerns, mismatched libidos or desire discrepancies, anxiety around intimacy and sex, communication challenges about sex, past sexual trauma or negative experiences, and body image issues affecting sexual relationships.
Despite common misconceptions, sex therapy and sex coaching almost never involves physical contact between therapist or coach and client. Instead, it combines talk therapy or coaching, evidence-based embodiment practices and specific exercises couples can practice at home, and educational resources.
Understanding Couples Therapy / Coaching
Couples therapy or coaching, also known as marriage counseling or relationship counseling, takes a broader approach to relationship dynamics and doesn't always encompass sex and sexuality.
A couples therapist or coach helps partners navigate various aspects of their relationship, including communication breakdowns, trust and commitment issues, conflict resolution, financial disagreements, parenting challenges, life transitions and growing apart, extended family dynamics, and emotional intimacy concerns.
As a sex, love and relationships coach, my work is unique in that it encompasses both that of sex therapy / coaching and also relationships therapy / coaching. We’ll work with all aspects you and your relationship.
Which Option Is Right for You?
Consider sex therapy or coaching if your primary concerns center around physical intimacy, sexual function or pleasure, or sexual communication. Whether you're comfortable directly discussing sexual topics or not, you can seek support for specific solutions for sexual challenges.
Consider couples therapy or coaching if your challenges extend beyond the bedroom into daily communication, trust, or general relationship patterns, and you're looking to strengthen your overall emotional connection and relationship foundation.
Whether you’re in need of support with sex and intimacy challenges or relational ones, I can support you.
Book a consulation call with me or send me a message and we’ll talk about how coaching can help you.
The Overlap and Integration
Many couples find that sexual and emotional issues are intertwined. Poor communication might manifest as bedroom challenges, while sexual difficulties can strain emotional bonds. I am trained and experienced in both modalities and can offer an integrated approach.
Making Your Decision
Start by having an honest conversation with your partner about your concerns. Many couples begin with one type of approach and later transition to or incorporate the other as needed. A therapist or coach trained and skilled in both will design an approach that is based on your immediate and long-term needs and desires.
Remember that all approaches provide confidential, judgment-free spaces, require commitment from both partners, and can be short-term or long-term depending on your needs.
The most important factor is finding a qualified professional who makes both partners feel comfortable and understood. Consider scheduling initial consultations with different therapists or coaches to determine the best fit for your situation.
Take Action
Whether you choose sex therapy, couples therapy, or a coach or therapist trained in both, taking the first step toward professional support shows commitment to your relationship's growth.
Many couples find that seeking help earlier rather than later leads to better outcomes and stronger connections. Contact certified professionals like me to learn more about how they work and how they might support your relationship journey.
Remember, investing in your relationship's health is investing in your overall wellbeing and future together.
As a certified sex, love and relationships coach, I’d love to share with you how I can support you.
Book a consulation call with me or send me a message and we’ll talk about how coaching can help you.