Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is occupational therapy?
Think of all the daily activities that “occupy” your time. This includes everything from eating, sleeping, getting dressed to paying our bills, working, taking care of kids, pets or loved ones. It also includes sex and intimacy.
Now think about everything it takes to be able to participate and be satisfied with all these daily activities or “occupations”. There are aspects of our physical bodies and abilities, our cognitive abilities, our emotional capabilities, available support and resources, our environment, societal institutions that all affect our ability to be able to engage in the things we have to and want to do in life. Often times there are disruptions in one of or in multiple aspects of these areas. Occupational therapists evaluate and analyze the challenges and barriers that an individual may be experiencing and develops treatment plans to address these challenges. The foundation of occupational therapy is that meaningful activities are important for overall health, and that care should be client centered and take into account all aspects of a person’s life. Even though occupational therapists are well positioned to address issues that arise surrounding sex and intimacy, these are often areas that are under addressed. I recognized the importance and need to address these areas. To be able to better serve those experiencing challenges in these areas, I sought out further education in human sexuality and sexuality counseling.
What is sexuality counseling?
Sexuality counseling involves providing a safe space to discuss concerns that are coming up around sex and intimacy. Those who have undergone training for sexuality counseling are able to provide accurate up-to-date information, suggest specific strategies to problem solve issues, provide exercises to improve communication, as well as providing tools and resources to support you through whatever challenges you are currently experiencing. Those who provide sexuality counseling are well-versed in when to refer to other professionals. There are times when I might suggest another professional that would be helpful such as a pelvic floor therapist or a psychotherapist, but of course this is always your choice.
What is the difference between sexuality counseling and sex therapy?
In general, certified sex therapists are able to provide intensive therapy and are licensed to provide psychotherapy for long-term issues. These terms can often be confusing due to the fact that there are complexities in terms of regulations. If you have questions as to what might be appropriate for your situation, please contact me for further information.
What does it cost?
Session fees are $160 per hour. Although I do not directly bill insurance there are cases when I may be able to provide you with a super bill for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement as an out of network provider. I offer a limited number of sliding scale spots in an effort to reduce barriers to healthcare. Please be aware that wait times might be increased for sliding scale spots. Please inquire if you have questions.
How long is a session and how many do I need?
Sessions are one hour in length. The number of sessions is completely dependent on your individual situation and goals.
How do I know if this is the right fit?
I offer a 15 minute discovery call to make sure it is the right fit and cover any questions you might have. If I cannot help, I will do my best to point you in the right direction
