When looking for a sexologist, it can be difficult to judge each professional’s quality, as sexology is not a regulated profession in the USA.
It can also be tricky to find a licensed sexologist doctor nearby, especially if you live in a smaller town or city. In some cases, online therapy can be useful to get access to sex therapists.
In this guide, we’ve reviewed the top six sex therapy platforms with accredited sexologists, who you can book in at a time that suits you.
Want to skip right to the suggestions for sexologist services? Here are our 6 recommended therapy solutions:
Best sexologist services
Below, we’ve looked at six of the best sexologist providers available right now, to help you overcome intimacy or sexual problems in your relationship.
| Provider | Good For | Location | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReGain | Quick match with the right couples therapist for you | Online therapy | $65 to $90 per week (billed every 4 weeks) |
| Online-therapy.com | Finding licensed and experienced therapists with a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach | Online therapy | $40/week to $88/week (including our 20% discount first month) |
| Calmerry | Individual relationship counseling | Online therapy | $49.50 to $73.75 per week (billed monthly) |
| Find-a-therapist.com | Finding and contacting the right therapist for you | Online and in-person therapy | Varies depending on the counselor fee |
| TalkSpace | Relationship counseling, marriage counseling, premarital counseling | Online therapy | Varies according to insurance coverage or self-pay options |
| American Board of Sexology | Contacting a clinical sexologist in your state | Online and in-person therapy | Varies depending on the counselor fee |
1. ReGain
Tailored for individuals and couples navigating relationship or marital issues – ReGain is your online relationship therapy solution. Starting at $65/week, you can schedule one weekly live session and message your therapist anytime. Start your path to healthier connections with ReGain – fill out their online assessment form.
- Good for: Quick match with the right couples therapist for you.
- Location: Online therapy.
- Pricing: $65 to $90 per week (billed every 4 weeks).
- Features: iOS and Android app available, message your therapist anytime, live sessions are scheduled weekly and done via live chat, phone, or video call.
At this time, ReGain might just be the best website for sexual therapy and help with intimacy issues. ReGain employs licensed and accredited sexual therapists, ensuring you get access to qualified support. The platform can help you connect with a sexologist, sex therapist, or relationship counselor, depending on your specific needs.
2. Online-therapy.com
Discover transformative online therapy with Online-therapy.com. Through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Online-therapy.com offers individual and couples support starting at $45/week. Engage in sessions via video, voice, or text for maximum flexibility. Fill out their online questionnaire to get started.
- Good for: Finding licensed and experienced therapists with a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach.
- Location: Online therapy.
- Pricing: $40/week to $88/week (including our 20% discount first month).
- Features: Unlimited messaging with your therapist, including a daily journal and activity plan, yoga and meditation videos, and tests to see your progress.
Online-therapy.com offers individual and couples therapy for different issues including intimacy and sex therapy. The platform matches you with the right therapist according to your individual needs and preferences.
Read our online-therapy.com review here.
3. Calmerry
Embark on a journey of mental wellness with Calmerry. With diverse subscription options, starting at just $50, Calmerry makes prioritizing your mental health simple and accessible. You can message your therapist any day or schedule a live therapy session from the comfort of your home from any device.
- Good for: Individual relationship counseling.
- Location: Online therapy.
- Pricing: $49.50 to $73.75 per week (billed monthly).
- Features: Message to your counselor anytime, text therapy and video therapy according to the plan you choose, free counselor switching.
Calmerry offers individual counseling for a range of relationship issues like sex and intimacy problems. In this platform, you can message your therapist anytime and schedule live sessions according to your time.
Read our comparison between Calmerry and BetterHelp here.
4. Find-a-therapist.com
- Good for: Finding and contacting the right therapist for you.
- Location: Online and in-person therapy.
- Pricing: Varies depending on the counselor fee.
- Features: Filter your search, find accessible and effective online and in-person therapy, find guides on different types of therapy.
Find-a-therapist.com is an online directory that helps you to find and contact the therapist you need according to your needs. There, you can find therapists like Matthew Crane, Tami Hubbard, and Sean Sprigle who specialize and are experienced in sex therapy.
5. TalkSpace
Tailored to individuals, couples, teens, and offering psychiatry services, Talkspace plans kick off at a wallet-friendly $69 per week. What’s more, many health insurances also cover their services, enhancing accessibility and affordability. Complete a questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.
- Good for: Relationship counseling, marriage counseling, premarital counseling.
- Location: Online therapy.
- Pricing: Varies according to insurance coverage or self-pay options.
- Features: Accepts insurance, pick your therapist from a list of recommendations, live video sessions and unlimited messaging with your therapist.
Talkspace provides a similar service to ReGain. You can chat, video call, or have phone sessions with an online sexologist at a time that suits you. They provide individual and couples sessions, helping to address common problems such as mismatched libidos, managing compulsive sexual behaviors, and overcoming sexual trauma.
Read our TalkSpace review here.
6. American Board of Sexology
- Good for: Contacting a clinical sexologist in your state.
- Location: Online and in-person therapy.
- Pricing: Varies depending on the counselor fee.
- Features: Find sex therapists in many different countries, online directory, non-profit organization.
If you want to see a clinical sexologist who takes in-person visits, take a look at the American Board of Sexology. This website provides a list of those certified by the Board, which you can filter by location and specialty.
What is a clinical sexologist?
A clinical sexologist is a therapist with specialized clinical training in sex and intimacy.
If you’re looking for sexual therapy, it’s generally preferable to seek out a clinical sexologist with an appropriate degree, rather than a psychologist who does not have sexology training.
Official sexologists have more specialized knowledge of sexual behaviors and know better how to deal with intimacy issues. They can better explain the science behind sexuality, and usually have more experience in handling these dynamics.
When should I see a sexologist?
Consider visiting a sexologist if your physical or mental health is suffering as a result of concerns about sexual behaviors, feelings, or interactions, for yourself and/or your sexual partners. You can also reach out to a counselor if you see no way to resolve these issues by yourself, or you want help to work on how you experience your sexuality.
Another reason to visit this type of therapist is if your personal relationship is suffering due to you or your partner’s sexual issues. This could be because you experience pain during penetration or have issues with erectile dysfunction, potentially leading to feelings of anxiety or shame.
However, there are certain sexual issues for which you might need more immediate medical advice. If you suspect you may have sexually transmitted diseases, for instance, you should get tested and get treatment immediately at a local hospital or sexual health clinic.
What happens during sex therapy?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being, related to sexuality.
Sex therapy is a form of talking therapy where you work on your sexual health and well-being, potentially with your partner joining the sessions. It involves verbal interactions, only. There is typically no physical contact involved in sexology.
Sexologists treat the following sex, sexual function, and mental health-related issues:
- Desire or arousal (for example; guilt about fantasies, porn, or fetishes)
- Sexual interests/orientation
- gender identity
- Impulsive or compulsive sexual behavior
- Erectile dysfunction (for example; difficulties maintaining or having an erection)
- Ejaculating early (premature ejaculation)
- Difficulties reaching orgasm (anorgasmia)
- Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
- Mismatched libidos (for example; after having children)
- Intimacy issues related to disability or chronic condition
- Prior sexual experiences (trauma or abuse)
- Sex addiction
- Monogamy or non-monogamy questions (multiple partners)
How to choose the best sexologist near me
When looking for a clinical sexologist, you may be wondering how to choose the right therapist for your specific needs.
Here are two tips to help you find the right sexologist near you or online.
1. Check their qualifications
The sexologist profession is not regulated, at least not in most states. Only Florida requires you to get certified to practice. Still, there are some things you can do to be sure you get quality (and evidence-based) care.
It’s a good idea to check whether the sexologist has a state license to practice sex therapy. For example, they may be a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Also, take a look at the person’s education – ideally, they will have specialized training in clinical sexology.
Further, many clinicians usually apply for a certification from one of the following organizations:
- The American College of Sexologists (ACS)
- The American Board of Sexology (ABS)
Certifications from these organizations are a good sign, as they come with quality control.
Lastly, the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) also has a rigorous vetting process, so you can also check for a certification from this organization.
2. Choose a sexologist that meets your needs
When choosing a sexologist, you always want to make sure you and your partner are comfortable with your choice. Otherwise, you may struggle to open up, making it difficult to get to the bottom of the issues you’re aiming to address.
You may use these sessions to talk about topics that are uncomfortable to discuss, or sometimes may be considered taboo. In these sessions, you will be asked to show that side of you that is usually hidden to the outside world, which can be difficult if you’re not fully comfortable with the sexual therapist you have chosen.
When choosing a couples sex therapist, involve your partner in the process, to ensure you both find a person you’re comfortable talking with. Of course, don’t be afraid to change your sexologist if you ever feel that the sessions aren’t working. With the online sex therapy platforms we mentioned above, it’s easy to switch to a new sex therapist with the simple click of a button.
Also consider your specific needs, in terms of the issues you’re trying to address. In general, you might be better with a sex therapist who is open to working with your specific questions, because not all sexologists are experts in all issues. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the therapist’s experience before beginning official sessions with them.
Conclusion
Having trouble in your sex life can be difficult. Some people hide these issues for years and feel stressed because of it – in fact, it can destroy otherwise healthy marriages and relationships.
Visiting a sexologist does not have to be scary. These specialists can help you get your sex life back on track, and they can teach you about human sexuality and new skills, such as emotional coping techniques or physical exercises to help with your sex life.
