Sex Coach vs. Sex Therapist: What’s the Difference, And Which One Do You Actually Need?

Let’s be real. There’s a lot of noise when it comes to sex and relationships. Whether you're deep in a late-night Google spiral, scrolling ADHD-style through TikTok, or reading hot takes on Reddit, you've probably gotten more advice than you ever asked for. Some helpful. Some... not so much.

So when people ask, “What’s the difference between a sex coach and a sex therapist?” it makes total sense. It’s confusing out there.

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), certified couples therapist, and a dual-certified sex therapist, including certification from AASECT, which is the gold standard in this field. I work with folks all across Colorado, especially those in LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and kink communities, offering online sex therapy that’s grounded, inclusive, and genuinely supportive.

Let’s talk through what each role actually offers, and how to know what’s right for you.

What Is a Sex Therapist?

A sex therapist is a licensed mental health professional who has done all the therapist things: graduate school, clinical training, licensure, and then additional specialized training in sexuality, gender, pleasure, and intimacy.

This isn’t just talk therapy with a few “spice things up” tips thrown in. A sex therapist is trained to help with things like:

• Low or mismatched desire

• Performance anxiety or avoidance

• Pain during sex or difficulty with arousal

• Sexual trauma and shame

• Compulsive sexual behavior

• Gender or orientation exploration

• Navigating kink or non-monogamy

• Feeling disconnected from your body or partner(s)

And because I’m a licensed therapist, I can also help with anxiety, depression, trauma, or anything else that might be affecting your sex life from underneath the surface.

What Does a Sex Coach Do?

Sex coaches usually aren't licensed therapists. Instead, they focus on education, tools, and goal-setting. A coach can be a great support if you’re emotionally grounded and just need a little guidance or a boost in confidence.

Here’s what a sex coach might help with:

• Communication and boundary setting

• Navigating polyamory or open relationships

• Exploring new sexual interests or fantasies

• Building sexual confidence

• Enhancing intimacy and pleasure

Think of coaching like adding new tools to your toolbox. Therapy helps you figure out why the toolbox feels locked, broken, or empty in the first place.

Which One is Right for You?

Here’s the truth. Sex therapists can often do what coaches do, but not the other way around. Therapy goes deeper. It creates space for emotional complexity, trauma, identity, and relationship patterns.

Coaching can be great if you're looking for practical tools and things feel pretty stable overall. But if your experience feels more layered, tender, or stuck, therapy is probably the better fit.

This is especially true if you’re:

• Exploring your gender or orientation

• Working through shame or trauma

• Living with ADHD, CPTSD, or other neurodivergence

• Feeling avoidant, anxious, or shut down during intimacy

• Dealing with disconnection in your body or relationship

• 
  

Why I Offer Online Sex Therapy in Colorado

Whether you live in Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, or a small mountain town, you deserve access to inclusive, affirming support. My online therapy sessions make that possible. You don’t have to drive across town or find someone “close enough” who doesn't really get you.

You just need a safe space to show up as yourself.

I specialize in working with LGBTQIA+ clients, kinky folks, and neurodivergent humans who often feel left out in traditional therapy spaces. My work centers safety, curiosity, embodiment, and connection.

You Don’t Need More Advice

Let’s be honest. You’ve probably already read the articles, listened to the podcasts, followed the sex-positive influencers. And maybe it helped. But maybe it also left you feeling like something was still missing, or like you were doing it wrong.

That’s because advice is external. It’s surface-level. Therapy helps you come back to yourself. It invites your nervous system, your story, your relationships, and your body into the conversation.

This isn’t about hacks or hot takes. It’s about real healing, at your pace, in your voice.

Ready to Work Together?

I offer online sex therapy for individuals and couples across Colorado, including Denver and surrounding areas. Whether you’re looking to explore pleasure, reconnect with your partner, unpack old shame, or figure out what you even want from sex, we can work through it together.

My work is trauma-informed, kink-aware, queer-affirming, and neurodivergent-friendly. It’s therapy that meets you exactly where you are.

Book a free 15-minute consult to see if it feels like a fit.

Just a heads up: This blog is for informational purposes only and isn’t meant to be taken as medical or mental health advice. Always talk with a licensed provider about your specific situation.

P.S. Therapy doesn’t have to be heavy. It can be weird, funny, and full of relief. If you’ve been carrying something alone, you don’t have to anymore.