Sex Therapist in Las Vegas & Summerlin
Increased Intimacy, Love & Connection
Physical intimacy and sexual dynamics are complex — and deeply personal. Yet so many of us never get the chance to talk about them openly, honestly, and without shame. If something in your sexual relationship feels off, stuck, or painful, you don't have to figure it out alone.
Sex therapy is a safe, confidential space to work through whatever's getting in the way — whether you're coming on your own or with your partner. If you're in the Las Vegas or Summerlin area and you're ready to take that first step, we'd love to be in your corner.
Physical intimacy and sexual dynamics are complex! Since intimacy between husband and wife (or any couple) is special and private, we don’t have nearly enough appropriate dialogue about it. Many people feel uncomfortable or shy discussing it, but since it’s one of the most influential dynamics in our relationships, we need to be better at talking about it and better at prioritizing it. And working with a sex therapist can help with that!
Men and women are both wired to be sexual beings, and we’re all wired to want and need it but in VERY different ways. In general, men feel loved and connected through sex and women need to feel loved and connected before they’re in the mood for sex.
To me, this comes down to basic biology. You see, women inherently (subconsciously) know that sex leads to babies. Pregnancy, historically, is a life-threatening endeavor. Once the “risk” is over, it’s still a lifelong physical and emotional commitment. It makes sense that a subconscious part of a woman wants to know that her man is really there for her before she jumps into bed with him. Alternatively, for a man, the fact that a woman would trust him enough to take that risk must mean that she really loves him.
If fear is the great enemy of intimacy, love is its true friend.
Sexual Desire & How it Relates to Sex Therapy
Sexual desire (or lack thereof) is by far the most common challenge couples face in their sexual relationship. Most couples also notice sexual dynamics changing through the course of the relationship. Early on, most couples have sex more frequently than they do later in relationships. Part of this is due to the biology I explained above: If the house is a mess and the children have been tyrants all day the thought of jumping into bed and (potentially) adding another hellion to the mix probably sounds like a terrible idea, even if a woman feels loved and secure in the relationship. (Yes, I know not every sexual encounter leads to pregnancy, I’m just talking about subconscious biological processes that diminish natural sexual desire.) The same can be true for men: if he’s had a terrible day at the office or feels like a failure he may shirk from the thought of adding another mouth to feed. Or, he may desire sex for validation and an emotional boost that at least things at home are going okay.
Another factor that comes into play is what I call the “peacock effect.” Women, subconsciously, know that their sexuality is very attractive to men, so they may feel more sexual early on to secure a man. This isn’t intended to be a “bait and switch” but sometimes it feels that way. I’ve heard dozens of men wonder what happened because they “used to have sex all the time and now she’s never in the mood.”
Alternatively, if there is a husband with a lower sex drive than his wife, this usually leads to feelings of inadequacy or feeling ugly and undesirable. There’s a stereotype that men should have insatiable sex drives, so if that’s not the case it usually leaves both partners feeling broken.
In the most recent sexual literature, researchers have done away with the concept of “desire” as the first stage of the sexual response cycle and replaced it with “willingness.” This is a powerful and important reframe. A partner may not necessarily feel a burning sexual desire towards their partner, but they may feel willing to have a positive shared experience that boosts the partner and the relationship significantly. This shifts a general attitude to one of being willing to give rather than simply relying on whether or not you’re “in the mood.”
Intimacy is being seen and known as the person you truly are.
Common Reasons People Seek Sex Therapy
There's no such thing as a problem "too small" or "too embarrassing" to bring to therapy. We work with individuals and couples navigating all kinds of sexual concerns, including:
- Low sexual desire or mismatched libido between partners
- Erectile dysfunction and performance anxiety
- Pain during intercourse (including vaginismus and dyspareunia)
- Sexual trauma, early abuse, or experiences that have made sex feel scary or unsafe
- Concerns around pornography use and its impact on your relationship
- Rebuilding intimacy and trust after infidelity
- LGBTQ+ sexual identity questions and concerns
- Navigating sex and intimacy after illness, injury, pregnancy, or major life changes
Whatever brought you here, you're in the right place. Change and healing are possible.
Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy, and mutual valuing.
Sexual Dysfunction in Couples
Sexual dysfunction is another wrench that gets thrown into the relationship and often isn’t talked about. Inability or difficulty to reach climax is a common one. First, I’d like to set the record straight. Did you know that 70% of women don’t climax regularly? Only 7% of women report that they “always” do—so if you are expecting a climax every single time and are disappointed that it isn’t happening, it might be helpful to shift expectations. A sexual encounter can still be very rewarding and bonding without it, and for a lot of women letting go of that pressure helps them to enjoy sex much more.
Pain during intercourse is another common and difficult issue. If adding extra lubrication and going slow isn’t solving the problem, you may be dealing with something called vaginismus. This is a pain disorder that has successful treatment outcomes, and where therapy can be really helpful.
Male sexual dysfunction including premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction can also take a toll on the relationship. Men suffering with these difficulties often feel broken and inadequate, and wives often feel frustrated or insecure. Talking about these issues in counseling can help couples feel connected and validated. I can help you either overcome the issue completely or make it less problematic.
Past Sexual Trauma and Working with a Sex Therapist
Past sexual trauma can impact the sexual relationship in a myriad of ways. Early sexual abuse or rape, inappropriate sexual pressure in marriage or relationships, sexual addiction and infidelity can make sex feel very scary, uncomfortable or vulnerable. If any of these deep wounds are getting in the way of having a fulfilling, care-free and fun sexual relationship with your spouse, sex therapy and counseling is a great way to heal and move forward together. If you’re in the Las Vegas area, be sure to get in contact with one of our sex therapists today!
The need for love and intimacy is a fundamental human need, as primal as the need for food, water, and air.
Sex Therapy for Clients with a Faith Background
We understand that for many people — especially those from LDS, Christian, and other religious traditions — sexuality is deeply intertwined with faith, values, and identity. That can make it even harder to know where to turn when something feels off.
You deserve a therapist who gets it. Our clinicians are experienced working with clients from faith backgrounds who are navigating sexual concerns within the context of their beliefs and values — without judgment, and without asking you to compromise who you are. Whether you're working through sexual shame, mismatched expectations in a faith-based marriage, or questions about identity, we'll meet you exactly where you are.
Sex Therapy Frequently Asked Questions
What is sex therapy, and what actually happens in a session?
Sex therapy is talk therapy — there's no physical contact of any kind. Sessions look a lot like other forms of counseling: we'll have honest, guided conversations about what's going on, and your therapist may suggest specific exercises or strategies to work on outside of sessions. It's a collaborative process, and you set the pace.
Do I have to come with my partner?
Not at all. Sex therapy is valuable for individuals as well as couples. If your partner isn't ready to join you yet, that's okay — starting on your own is a completely legitimate first step. If and when they're ready, we can talk about bringing them into the process.
How long does sex therapy take?
It really depends on what you're working through. Some people see meaningful shifts in just a few sessions. Others benefit from longer-term work, especially when there's trauma involved. We'll talk about goals in our first meeting and give you a realistic sense of what to expect.
Is sex therapy compatible with my religious beliefs?
Yes. We work with clients from a wide range of faith backgrounds — including LDS, Christian, and other religious traditions — and we deeply respect the role that faith plays in how you understand intimacy and sexuality. You won't be asked to compromise your values here.
What if I'm embarrassed to talk about this stuff?
Completely normal to feel that way walking in. Our therapists have had thousands of these conversations — nothing you bring to the table will surprise or shock us. The goal is to make it feel as safe and natural as possible. Most people are surprised by how quickly the awkwardness fades once they're in the room.