Sexual problems

Sexual problems affect many people, but we don't tend to talk about them. They are often experienced as isolating and very distressing.

Sex is complex. It has biological, psychological and emotional components. Some sexual problems are purely physical, resulting from a disability, an illness or side effects from medication, for example. Your GP can discuss options for treatment of these types of sexual problems.

However, most sexual problems are psychological.

Why is sex difficult for many people?

Sexual problems are typically caused by one or more of:

  • growing up hearing negative messages about sex, for example that it is dirty or immoral
  • poor sex education
  • past sexual trauma
  • hormonal changes, for example during pregnancy or menopause
  • previous negative sexual encounters
  • relationship issues
  • low self-confidence
  • anxiety
  • difficulty relaxing

Anxiety plays a large part in sexual problems. It is very hard to have enjoyable, satisfying sex if you are anxious. For this reason, sexual problems tend to be cyclical. Once you have a bad sexual experience, anxiety about it happening again can make it harder to relax and enjoy your next sexual experience.

Another key factor is the fact that sex and sexual problems are not openly discussed in our society. People experiencing sexual problems often don’t realise just how many other people are going through the same thing, or that sexual problems can be successfully treated. 

In relationships, discussing sex can feel awkward and scary. People will often avoid sex rather than discuss it. This allows problems to fester and worsen with time.

When two people with differing libidos and sexual preferences come together in a relationship, there are bound to be some points of friction. One partner may want to try sexual acts that the other isn’t comfortable with. One may want to open up the relationship while the other prefers monogamy. Or one partner may simply want sex more often than the other. Sometimes these differences can be worked out, but sometimes they cause the sexual relationship to break down.

Our clients have reported great results!

Mr K
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“I was attending sessions at One Therapy practice for about 1 1/2 years. I am very happy with the result, sessions there really helped me. I am really grateful to my therapist. Someone recommended him to me as a high professional and it proved right, thank you.”
Mrs M
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“I can only provide positive comments on my sessions with (my therapist). This was my first experience with a therapist, and she managed to make me feel comfortable. And I must say that the sessions were helpful and efficient.”
Mrs E
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“My therapist was extremely helpful, considerate and understanding. I felt she properly understood what the issues I had were, and their underlying causes, and I feel I benefited considerably from the sessions with her.”
Mrs N
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“I immediately felt completely at ease as they were very professional while showing genuine care and interest in helping me. I was able to confront many issues which I had so far chosen to ignore despite their negative effects on my personal relationships and happiness. I would have no hesitation in recommending (One Therapy) to anyone looking to improve their relationships and self-esteem.”
Mrs L
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“I learned a lot about myself and about the relationships I make with other people. I was able to see where I was going wrong and I now make better personal choices. Thank you, again.”
Mrs R
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“I can’t thank you enough for the help and support I got from my appointments. I would highly recommend therapy to anyone now. Therapy helped me in more ways than I could have imagined. Please tell (my therapist) how grateful I am for her help.”

Counselling for sexual problems

Counselling for sexual problems can be undertaken on your own or with your partner. It can be with a psychotherapist, a relationship therapist or a psychosexual therapist. Psychosexual therapists have had further training in sexual issues and are knowledgeable in how to treat particular sexual issues. These include:

  • loss of desire
  • premature ejaculation
  • painful sex
  • erectile problems
  • vaginismus
  • inability to orgasm.
Whichever therapist you see, you will be treated with respect, empathy and warmth. Our therapists won’t judge you for your sexual preferences, your sexual experience (or lack of) or anything else. We are experienced in working with a wide range of sexual practices, including gay and straight, kink and polyamory. If you prefer to speak to a male or female therapist, just let us know when setting up your first appointment.

The thought of discussing sex with a stranger may be off-putting. Experienced therapists are used to these sensitive conversations. They use straightforward, culturally-appropriate language and quickly put you at ease. Most clients are surprised by how quickly their initial anxiety is alleviated. Counselling sessions are always confidential.

To take the next step, please contact us.

You need not suffer with your sexual problem alone – let us help

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Facing sexual issues

Sexual issues are common. Sex taps into many different parts of us: the emotional, the physical, the psychological and even the spiritual. The opportunity for something to go wrong in our sexual wiring is great. Most people will experience some kind of sexual dysfunction at some point in…

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Counselling for individuals

Personal counselling can be about anything that is on your mind.

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Couples counselling

Couples counselling provides space for couples to discuss problems in their relationship and find solutions.

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Our therapists

We have over 30 qualified and experienced therapists to choose from.

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One Therapy London

Counselling, psychotherapy, couples counselling in London since 2006

Therapist James Eve
James Eve

James is a psychosexual and relationship therapist who has been in private practice for five years He works with individuals and couples on sexual and relationship difficulties, understanding that these can be significant causes of distress in one's life Prior to working in private practice, James worked for the psychosexual team at Croydon University Hospital He is a...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Roz Urquhart
Roz Urquhart

Roz is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist, who offers both long- and short-term psychotherapy She works with a varied client group offering a welcoming, safe and confidential therapeutic space in which to help her clients explore and process the issues that are bringing them into therapy Roz supports her clients to focus on unconscious processes, inner conflicts and...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Natasha Maidment
Natasha Maidment

Natasha is a person–centred counsellor and psychotherapist who will provide you with a safe, empathetic and non-judgemental space to explore any thoughts or concerns you wish to bring She works with a range of issues including anxiety, stress, critical thoughts, trauma, relationship issues, identity, depression, loss and low self-esteem Natasha offers a...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Yussef Ferguson
Yussef Ferguson

Yussef is a psychodynamic psychotherapist who offers both long and short term personal therapy to individuals He has experience of working with a diverse range of clients and can provide a warm, confidential space to explore and gain insight into any past or present personal difficulties and experiences Yussef works with issues such as anxiety, depression, loss,...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Stamatia Lorentzou
Stamatia Lorentzou

Stamatia draws on a broad range of theories of psychotherapy She works collaboratively with her clients to understand the causes of their concern and find ways to move forward Stamatia offers both short-term and longer-term therapy She has worked in various organisational settings with individuals seeking to address relationship issues, low self esteem, separation,...

Bloomsbury

Therapist Amrita Athwal
Amrita Athwal

Amrita works with adults in an integrative way, drawing on various therapeutic approaches tailored to meet the needs of each client She provides a safe space to help clients better understand themselves She offers short term and long term therapy Amrita has experience of working with clients on issues such as trauma, addiction, depression, anxiety, relationship...

Bloomsbury

Therapist Ben Brackenbury
Ben Brackenbury

Ben believes that at times we all struggle with the challenges life has to offer and therapy provides a safe, confidential, non-judgemental space to explore this Ben works with individuals to make sense of who they are and how they respond to the world today, and to explore new ways of being Ben is also sensitive to how difficult it might be for a client to talk to a...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Barbara Perini
Barbara Perini

Barbara is an accredited member of BACP, holding an MSc in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and adhering to the BACP ethical framework Her approach is open-ended, offering both short-term and long-term therapy Barbara has also trained in Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT), a short-term (16 sessions), semi-structured individual therapy developed for mood...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Evan Bates
Evan Bates

Evan is a psychodynamic therapist, offering both long and short term therapy He creates a non-judgemental and reflective space to help clients explore their difficulties and concerns Working together to understand the connections between past and current relationships, Evan supports clients in developing a deeper awareness of their recurring emotional patterns and further...

Soho

Therapist Janis Dellner
Janis Dellner

Janis offers an empathic, non-judgmental and safe environment where her clients can explore the issues that are currently troubling them  Janis works collaboratively to explore and challenge thoughts, feelings and behaviours that are no longer serving her clients’ wellbeing, interests and relationships with themselves and others  She believes it is through the...

Oxford Circus