Sexuality and the Highly Sensitive Person

As a highly sensitive person (HSP), exploring your sexual health can be a unique and sometimes challenging experience. You may feel a deep emotional and physical connection to your partners. Which can be both exhilarating and overwhelming at times.

It's essential for you to set boundaries and practice self-care to maintain your well-being and enjoy intimacy and your sexuality fully. Finding partners who understand and respect your sensitivity and are willing to communicate openly about their needs and boundaries is also crucial. While exploring your sexuality as an HSP can be intense and emotionally charged, it can be rewarding and fulfilling when approached with care and intention.

When it comes to sexual health, it can be difficult to know where to turn for help. Sex therapists offer specialized counseling and therapy services to individuals and couples with sexual health concerns. In this blog post, we will explore what a sex therapist is, what services they provide, and how to find a qualified sex therapist near you who understands the challenges of being highly sensitive.

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What is a Sex Therapist?

A sex therapist is a mental health professional trained in the field of human sexuality and psychotherapy. They specialize in helping individuals and couples with sexual health issues. Sex therapists have advanced training in counseling, psychotherapy, and sex therapy. As psychotherapists, sex therapists have advanced degrees in psychology, clinical mental health counseling, social work, or human sexuality.

Sex therapists are licensed mental health professionals who have undergone extensive training in the field of human sexuality. They are skilled in helping individuals and couples with a variety of sexual health issues. Including sexual dysfunction, low desire, gender identity questions and transition, and more. The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) provides a rigorous certification program for Certified Sex Therapists (CST).

Sex therapists may use a variety of techniques to help their clients. They may also work in conjunction with other professionals. Such as physicians, physical therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. All to ensure that their clients receive the best possible care.

What to Expect from a Professional Sex Therapist

When you visit a professional sexual therapist, you can expect to be treated with respect and compassion. The therapist should take the time to get to know you and your needs before beginning treatment. They should also make sure that you understand the process and the goals of therapy. A sex therapist who is knowledgeable about highly sensitive people

During a typical session, the therapist will ask you questions about your physical, emotional, and mental health. They may also ask about your sexual history, relationship history, psychological history, and any current or past issues that may be impacting your sexual health.

At the end of the session, the therapist may provide you with a treatment plan and/or referrals to other professionals or resources. They may also give you homework assignments to help you progress with your treatment. Depending on your goals, presenting issues, and treatment plan, these homework assignments may be completed on your own or with your partner.

What Services Do Sexual Therapists Offer?

Sex therapists offer a variety of services to their clients. Some of the most common services include:

• Education about sexual health and functioning

• Counseling for individuals and couples

• Guidance for gender identity questions and transition

• Guidance for couples to improve communication and intimacy

• Treatment for sexual dysfunction and low desire

• Treatment for trauma, abuse, and other issues impacting sexual health

• Referrals to other professionals and resources

How is Sex Therapy for Highly Sensitive People Different?

Sex therapy with highly sensitive people (HSP) can be different in a few ways:

Firstly, HSPs tend to be more reactive to stimuli, both positive and negative, including sexual experiences. Therefore, sex therapy with an HSP may require the therapist to be more attuned to the HSP's emotional reactions and to help them manage any intense emotional responses that may arise during the therapy.

Secondly, HSPs may need a slower and more gradual approach to sexual exploration and therapy. This may include spending more time discussing feelings and emotions before engaging in any physical touch or sexual activity.

Thirdly, HSPs may be more prone to anxiety, especially around new or overwhelming experiences. Therefore, sex therapy may involve teaching the HSP coping mechanisms for managing anxiety and stress.

Overall, a sex therapist working with an HSP will need to be sensitive to their unique needs and experiences, while helping them navigate and manage any emotional or physical challenges that may arise during the therapy.

How to Find a Sex Therapist Near You

When looking for a sexual therapist, there are a number of resources available. You want to make sure that the therapist is qualified and experienced. This includes being licensed as a counselor or psychotherapist and having specialized training in sex therapy. A therapist should list their credentials on their website or you can ask them for specifics. You can also look up the therapist on your state’s licensing board to verify that their licensure is up to date. Typically, a simple web search for a phrase such as “counselor license lookup Georgia” (for your state) will point you to the licensing board’s website.

The Certified Sex Therapist (CST) credential from a national organization such as AASECT reflects a high standard of training, experience, and ethical behavior. AASECT provides an online directory where you can find sex therapists providing services to your location.

Make Sure Your Therapist is a Good Fit For You

It’s also important to make sure that the therapist is a good fit for you. You should look for a therapist who is experienced in treating the issues that you are facing and who is someone that you can feel comfortable talking to. If you are an HSP, I recommend that you ask the potential therapist about their experience working with highly sensitive people. It is a good sign if their online information specifically mentions a specialization in working with HSPs. The same holds true for your other identities, diagnoses, and/or issues. The therapist should affirm your identity and create a judgment-free zone.

Once you’ve found a qualified sex therapist, you can contact them to schedule an appointment. Many offer a free consultation, either via Zoom or a phone call. This is a get-to-know-you session so you can see if they are a good fit for your needs and if you feel comfortable with their personality and style. Not every therapist is the right fit for every client, and vice-versa. If they are not a good fit for any reason, you can ask the therapist (or they may provide) referrals to recommended colleagues.

Are You Seeking a Sex Therapist in Georgia?

You can reach out to our team to find out if we are a good match for your needs. Our team provides online and in-person therapy sessions. Our in-person office location is in Tucker, Georgia (near Decatur).

Ready to Meet With a Sexual Therapist in Atlanta, GA?

Take the first step towards embracing your sexuality and self-care as a highly sensitive person (HSP). An experienced sexual therapist in Atlanta, GA, is here to provide you with a safe and supportive environment at Healthy HSP to explore and enhance your sexual well-being. Begin your journey to self-discovery and self-care – prioritize your sexual health and emotional well-being with us. Follow these three simple steps to get started:

1. Contact us to schedule your first appointment

2. Meet with one of our skilled HSP sexual therapists for your first session

3. Learn to navigate sex as an HSP in healthy ways!

Other Services Offered at Healthy HSP

At Healthy HSP, we want to help you thrive as a highly sensitive individual. In addition to Sex therapy, we also offer HSP Therapy to help you understand your highly sensitive traits and embrace your sensitivity and Online Therapy for Women in Tech for those who want to build confidence and achieve their professional goals. We also offer Specialized Coaching for Sensitive Individuals for those looking to find support with a skilled coach and achieve their personal and career goals as sensitive introverts. We are able to serve anyone online who lives in the state of Georgia, South Carolina, or Florida. To learn more about us check out our Blog and About Us!