Christian Sex Therapy

Virtual sex therapy for individuals & couples in Ohio

Let's face it... Christians can be timid about going to therapy, and about sex.

There's a shortage of Christian counselors who don't over-spiritualize your mental health and relationship concerns. There's an even smaller number of clinical Christian counselors who are comfortable talking about sex, and actually qualified to treat sexual concerns and trauma. Sea Glass exists to bridge that gap.

Let’s remove the shame that’s holding your sex life hostage

I work with Christian women (and their partners, if applicable) who are experiencing a range of sexual dysfunction and intimacy issues - primarily when they’re able to connect current sexual difficulties to a religious upbringing, past sexual trauma, or affair recovery.

I understand how important it is to find a counselor who personally shares your Christian faith - and also a skilled sex-positive, Christian sex therapist who’s trained to help you work towards the healthy sex life you want.

Your beliefs will be respected and honored here

Often in our culture and in the therapy world, spiritual beliefs are considered “backwards” or “outdated.” Many Christian clients are hesitant to see a sex therapist due to fears that the therapist’s approach will clash with their religious beliefs. I take a trauma-informed, evidenced-based perspective to address the unique concerns that Christian singles and couples have as they navigate the complex dynamics of faith, sex, trauma, and relationships.

Sex therapy can help you with…

Purity culture deconstruction and recovery

Sexual trauma and abuse

Stress, anxiety, or depression that affects sexual health

Vaginismus (difficult or impossible penetration)

Performance anxieties

Negative sexual messages

Mind/body integration

Dating and relationship concerns

Discomfort talking about sex

Improve communication about sex or other problems

Boundaries

Arousal non-concordance

Difficulty becoming aroused

Low sexual desire

Infidelity or affair recovery/betrayal trauma

Sexual and relational rejection

Emotional intimacy in relationships

Difficulty with orgasm

Mismatched libidos/desire

Newlywed sexual concerns

Sexual disorders and dysfunction

Most Christian marriage books perpetuate unhealthy relationship dynamics and negatively impact sexual functioning

Odds are that when you first noticed yourself struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, sexual dysfunction, or relationship troubles, you might’ve turned to your church community hoping to find some clarity and sense of relief. Your church leader, friend from small group, or pastoral counselor might have recommended one of many popular Christian marriage books to help you.

Unfortunately, most Christian books on marriage and sex are filled with opinions, rather than evidence-based research about healthy relationships and sexual functioning. Even more unfortunate, is that new research shows many popular Christian books on sex and marriage are actively harmful, rather than helpful or even neutral on the subject. Learn more here.

Christians often enter into romantic relationships and marriage with unhealthy and unrealistic views about sex and relationships, poor communication skills to advocate for themselves, and little or inaccurate knowledge of their own bodies. The overemphasis on when sex should be had (in marriage), without accurate education about how to have a healthy, redeemed sexual life (even in marriage) can be contributing factors to the orgasm gap in Christian sexual relationships, and higher rates of vaginismus in Christian women.

Restoring sexual wellness for Christian singles & couples

Helping Christian women embrace their sexuality & make sense of their experiences

Whether you’re single, married, divorced, dating, engaged, or remarried - you are warmly welcome here with open arms and no judgment. You don’t need to be currently partnered to pursue therapy for sexual concerns. Singleness can be a wonderful opportunity to build your own emotional wellbeing and sexual health.

Your treatment for sexual and relationship concerns may include occasional homework to help you become more aware of your thoughts and body sensations, practice mindfulness and communication skills (with or without a partner), and gain valuable insight about your own experience of your body and your sexuality.

Together, we’ll explore body image, mind-body connection, sexual communication, initiating sex, navigating the Christian dating scene, how to heal from past negative sexual messages or experiences, and overcoming sexual and performance anxieties.

Evidence-based treatment to help Christians enjoy intimacy

Our work together may include elements from:

What to Expect from Christian Sex Therapy at Sea Glass

Comprehensive, holistic treatment approach

Together we'll explore your present symptoms, goals for therapy, and history. We'll explore your spiritual beliefs, sexual and relationship history, and how to heal from past trauma or negative messages about sex. Based on your symptoms and goals, I may recommend you do sex therapy either individually or as a couple. Psychotherapy is often just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to sexual functioning, so I may also refer you to relevant medical professionals like a pelvic floor physical therapist, gynecologist, urologist, urogynecologist, or endocrinologist for additional evaluation and treatment.

Unlearn negative messages, heal sexual trauma, & build confidence

You can expect conversations, individual and partnered exercises, reading homework, EMDR therapy, and couples therapy as part of your sex therapy treatment. EMDR is especially helpful for improving sexual anxieties, healing from negative messages and past trauma. We'll draw from attachment theory, incorporate mindfulness-based interventions like sensate focus, communication exercises, and other practical skills in your treatment, too.

Medically accurate sex education, evidence-based clinical interventions, & respect for your faith

There’s no stereotypical Christian marriage advice or personal agenda here. You’ll never hear me say that a couple’s marriage will be better “if the wife just has more sex with her husband.” With me, you can expect using science to improve your sex life while supporting your faith. That looks like creating emotional safety within the relationship, increasing your awareness of your own sexual desire, learning how to communicate about sex with your partner, and rewiring your brain with accurate information about sex, desire, and all things intimacy.

Christian sex therapist Ohio
christian sex therapist ohio

Is sex therapy for individuals or couples?

BOTH! I provide Christian sex therapy for individual adults and couples in Ohio. Individuals may benefit from working on their sexual concerns through an Intensive EMDR format. We’ll discuss together whether your concerns would benefit from individual or couples work. Sometimes there might be individual work we need to do first to allow for couples work to be more effective; sometimes the opposite is the case. If you’re already seeing another couples therapist, that’s great! Individual sex therapy allows for deeper work that impacts your ability to engage in couples therapy.

Can you help with…?

Can you help with porn addiction, compulsive sexual behavior, sex addiction, gender affirmation letters, discernment counseling, domestic violence, etc?

No, these are outside my scope of practice. I can, however, work with the betrayed partner individually. If these concerns are present for your or your partner, I will provide appropriate referrals to a licensed clinician with specialized training in this area of sexual health and wellness to help you reach your goals.

If current, ongoing abuse is present in your relationship (yes, even sexual abuse within marriage), both parties will be referred elsewhere. Couples therapy is dangerous for relationships where there is current abuse and violence, as it perpetuates the abuse and makes it worse for the survivor.

At Sea Glass Counseling and Consultation, we view Christian sexual concerns through a unique, trauma-informed lens and use the latest research to help you in your journey to sexual health and emotional/relational wellbeing. Together, we’ll explore body image, mind-body connection, sexual communication, initiating sex, navigating the Christian dating scene, how to heal from past negative sexual messages or experiences, and overcoming sexual and performance anxieties.

Erin Pritchard, Gottman Method Couples Therapist in Ohio

MEET ERIN PRITCHARD, SEX THERAPIST

“I get how important it is to find a counselor who personally shares your Christian faith - and one who’s clinically qualified to help you improve your sex life. I became trained as a sex therapist after personally experiencing a need in my community for a sex-positive, faith-affirming therapist.

I’m proud to be one of the only therapists in Ohio with the clinical skillset to support Christian women and their partners in navigating the complex dynamics of faith, sex, and relationships.”

  • "I can see why Sea Glass is highly recommended for women in my situation dealing with this. I am so grateful that you’ve decided to do this for your career."

    -SEA GLASS CLIENT

  • "I'm so glad to find someone who gives us the science while understanding and valuing our faith."

    -SEA GLASS COUPLE

  • "I grew up pretty sheltered, so making the switch from 'sex is bad' to 'sex is good' after marriage has been challenging. I see now that my body is good and I do deserve pleasure!"

    -SEA GLASS CLIENT

Read blog posts about Christian sex therapy and couples therapy

Blog
The 7 Key Principles of Gottman Couples Therapy
The 7 Key Principles of Gottman Couples Therapy

In a long-term relationship, it’s normal to periods where you don’t feel as connected. One of the leading approaches to fostering strong relationships is the Gottman Method, based on these seven key principles.

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Tips for Successful Couples Therapy
Tips for Successful Couples Therapy

All couples need to have the foundational skills taught by Gottman Method in order to have healthy marriages. If you’re considering couples counseling in Ohio, here are some essential tips for making the most of couples therapy.

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Holiday boundaries to set with your partner
Holiday boundaries to set with your partner

Conversation starters for setting holidays boundaries with your partner this season. Remember - every yes to one thing is a no to something else. Boundaries can help you and your partner protect your relationship, emotional energy, finances, and overall wellbeing.

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Navigating Family Dynamics During Holidays
Navigating Family Dynamics During Holidays

Family dynamics can add another layer to holiday tension. It’s one thing when it’s your own family, but it’s another when it’s your partner’s family, especially if those relationships are unhealthy or strained. Navigating family dynamics can be especially tricky during the holidays, but here are some steps to preserve your peace, and your relationship.

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3 Times Couples Therapy is Not a Good Idea
3 Times Couples Therapy is Not a Good Idea

Couples therapy is good for helping partners build friendship and shared meaning, improve connection, and healthy conflict management. However, not all couples should go to therapy. When is couples therapy contraindicated? And what to do instead.

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What are Gottman's Four Horsemen?
What are Gottman's Four Horsemen?

Research shows four distinct patterns of unhealthy communication can predict the end of a romantic relationship. Being able to identify “the Four Horsemen of the Relationship Apocalypse” in your own communication is the first step towards replacing these patterns with healthier communication skills.

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