Sexual Counselling

Sexual counselling is a talking therapy which assists you to manage the psychological, emotional or relational aspects of your concern. Catherine is aware that sexuality is the most difficult topic to discuss and your issues will be handled with sensitivity and care.

Catherine has been a Professional Sexual Therapist and Educator with the Australian Society of Sexual Educators, Researchers and Trainers (ASSERT) since 1996 and is currently a member of the Australian Society of Sexologists.

You can see Catherine's presentations here.

Prior to counselling, where relevant, it is important that you have already consulted your general practitioner, urologist, gynaecologist, pain specialist or other relevant professionals. Many medical conditions and medications can affect your sexual function and medical help, with counselling assistance, gives you the best possible outcome.

A thorough assessment is the first step. If you are in a relationship, this will often involve an assessment of the sexual and relationship dynamics. Sexual problems are frequently a symptom of individual or relationship problems and these underlying issues may need to be addressed first. Catherine will work with you to understand your sexual issues, provide education, address underlying issues, and offer helpful therapeutic suggestions.

People see Catherine for difficulties with:

Performance anxiety
Erection
Ejaculation
Desire and Arousal

Orgasm
Gender and sexual orientation
Mismatched desires
Affairs

Infertility
Vaginismus
Enrichment
Body image

Mismatched Desire

Mismatched desire is one of the most common couples sexual problems and inevitably develops at times of stress in the individual or couple lifecycle e.g. during pregnancy, after the birth of a child, menopause, infertility, work and parenting stresses etc. For other couples, this mismatch in desire has been present in the relationship from the beginning, or begins after the "limerence" or falling in love period ends.

Unfortunately, a mismatch in desire can set up a cycle of blame and guilt which leads to a vicious cycle of pursuit and withdrawal in the relationship. It is common that one partner will be unable to enjoy sex if they do not feel pursued or desired by their partner. The other partner may feel that they cannot enjoy sex if they are required to initiate it all the time or feel blamed for not being sexual enough. Both partners usually want the same thing, a mutually satisfying sexual relationship, but can inadvertently be going about achieving this in a way that actually leads to less sexual and relationship satisfaction in the relationship over time.

Catherine can help couples work through these relationship and sexual issues using a combination of relationship therapy and sex therapy.