Which Mental Health Professionals Can Help with Sexual Issues? | Part 3 of a 3-Part Series

By Caitlin Bovard, LPC, Certified Couples Therapist, Dual-Certified Sex Therapist (AASECT CST)

Let’s talk about the alphabet soup of various mental health professional's credentials.

LPC, LMFT, LCSW, PhD, PsyD, oh my! WTF do they all mean? And more importantly, which of these humans can actually help with the sexual stuff?

If you're feeling overwhelmed by all the letters behind therapists’ names, you’re in good company. I didn’t really understand all the distinctions until well into grad school—while I was already studying to become one myself. So if this feels confusing? You’re not behind.

In this final post of our 3-part series, we’re breaking down:

• What different mental health professionals actually do

• Who’s trained to help with sexual and relational concerns

• And how to find the right fit for you—without needing a decoder ring (although, as a little bonus, I've included a handy chart for you later in this blog post!)

  
  

So, What Counts as a “Mental Health Professional”?

In short: licensed professionals who are trained to help people navigate emotional, psychological, or relational distress. But “licensed” doesn’t mean one-size-fits-all. Education, scope of practice, and training quality can vary a lot—and that includes whether someone is trained in sexuality or relationships at all.

Breaking Down the Acronyms

LPC – Licensed Professional Counselor

(Hi, that’s me!)

LPCs are mental health clinicians who complete a master’s degree in counseling, plus 2,600+ supervised clinical hours and a licensing exam. We’re trained in assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic intervention—and many of us pursue advanced specialization after licensure.

LPCs can specialize in anything from trauma and anxiety to identity, relationships, or—yep—sexual concerns. But it’s important to note: LPCs are not automatically trained in sex therapy unless they seek additional certification (like I did!).

Best for: Emotional wellness, identity exploration, life transitions, trauma, and relationship concerns.

Tip: Ask if they have specific training in sex therapy or couples work if that’s your focus.

Certified Couples Therapist

(Also me! Trained locally, intentionally, and through a culturally humble lens.)

After becoming an LPC, I pursued additional training to become a Certified Couples Therapist through a POC-owned, Colorado-based institute. This wasn't just a weekend workshop—it was dozens of hours of advanced training and supervised practice focused on relational healing, communication, attachment dynamics, and navigating power, culture, and trauma within partnerships.

Whether you’re navigating intimacy blocks, desire mismatch, infidelity, ADHD in relationships, or exploring open or nontraditional dynamics—couples therapy provides the tools and support to move through stuckness together.

Best for: Deep relationship repair, intimacy reconnection, non-monogamy navigation, and queer/ND-affirming couples work

Bonus: I integrate this lens into individual therapy too—because relational patterns don’t just show up in partnerships.

LMFT – Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

LMFTs specialize in relationships—romantic, familial, and everything in between. Their training focuses on systems theory, which means they often look at how patterns play out between people (rather than just inside one person’s head).

Some LMFTs pursue additional certification in sex therapy (though not all do), and many are excellent at helping couples navigate intimacy, repair, and communication challenges.

Best for: Relationship dynamics, communication issues, infidelity, sexual disconnect, or non-traditional relationship models.

Therapist-to-therapist note: LMFTs are relationship pros, but if your concerns are deeply rooted in trauma or identity work, make sure they also have that depth—or are collaborating with someone who does.

LCSW – Licensed Clinical Social Worker

LCSWs come from a social work background, with training focused more on case management, advocacy, and systemic change. Many go on to provide therapy and do amazing work in trauma recovery, identity affirmation, and navigating complex social realities.

That said, it’s helpful to know: LCSWs are not always required to take counseling-specific coursework or log direct counseling hours to become licensed. Some programs prioritize broader social work competencies which while incredibly valuable, can sometimes differ from a therapy-first model like LPC or LMFT. Some programs do include one or a few classes on counseling skills and are considered more clinical than community-oriented.

Best for: Identity work, systemic trauma, grief, care coordination, and working within marginalized or underserved communities (although any mental health provider benefits from more education and experience from those with lived experience!).

Tip: If you're considering an LCSW for sex therapy or couples work, ask about their counseling-specific training and experience with sexual topics. As with LPCs, PsyDs, PhDs, etc.: some pursue it intentionally, many don’t.

PhD / PsyD – Clinical or Counseling Psychologists

These folks have doctorate-level training in psychology, usually with a focus on assessment, research, and evidence-based treatment. They’re highly trained and often great for long-term therapy, psychological testing (like ADHD or autism assessments), and complex diagnoses.

Some PhD/PsyD therapists also specialize in sexuality, though not all do, so be sure to ask before assuming.

Best for: In-depth assessment or when you need formal psychological testing alongside therapeutic support, especially for workplace accommodations or governmental benefits.

Psychiatrists (MD or DO) or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (Psych NPs)

These are medical doctors or advanced medical clinicians (respectively) who specialize in mental health medicine and can prescribe medication. They’re a vital part of your care team if you're exploring antidepressants, ADHD meds, or hormone-related shifts that may affect sexual function.

Some psychiatrists also can provide some form of brief therapy—but most focus on med management, and many refer out for deeper talk therapy or sex therapy support. It's important to note, to my knowledge, no med school specifically trains doctors in therapy or counseling skills.

Best for: When medication might help with mental health or libido shifts—and for co-managing medical and psychological needs.

Wait, So Who Actually Works with Sex and Relationships?

Here’s the key: any licensed therapist can talk about sex—but not all have been trained to.

That’s why sex therapy credentials matter. Horrifyingly, in Colorado and many other states, therapist/counseling master's programs are not required to include a sex or sexuality-specific class as a graduation requirement for a master's degree in counseling.

Look for These Terms to Find a Specialist:

• Certified Sex Therapist (CST) – These therapists have completed extensive training in human sexuality, clinical sexology, and supervised practice (often through AASECT).

• AASECT Certification – Think of this like the gold star for sex therapy. It means your therapist has met national standards for ethics, education, and competency.

• Kink-Aware, LGBTQIA+ Affirming, Neurodivergent-Informed – These aren’t licenses, but they’re important filters when searching for someone who’ll actually get your experience.

These specialties signal more than just interest—they show commitment to ongoing training, cultural competence, and ethical care in intimate spaces.

And in my case? As a dual-certified sex therapist (yes, AASECT included), LPC, and certified couples therapist, I blend all three lenses—sexuality, mental health, and relationships—into a trauma-informed, affirming, and non-cringe approach. I’ve built my practice around the intersections of sexuality, neurodivergence, LGBTQIA+ identity, and relational healing—because those are the conversations where people so often feel misunderstood or unseen. You deserve better.

TL;DR: Credential Decoder – Who Can Help with Sexual Concerns? (No judgment if you screenshot this)

Here’s a comparison of different mental health providers and what their credentials do and don’t tell you. Spoiler: None of these licenses include automatic training in sex therapy.

Credential	Title	Automatically Trained in Sex Therapy?	Trained in Counseling Skills?	Can Diagnose/Treat Mental Health?	Can Prescribe Medication?
LPC	Licensed Professional Counselor	❌ No — requires extra training	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No
Certified Couples Therapist	Advanced Relationship Certification	❌ No — but focused on relationships	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (if also licensed)	❌ No
LMFT	Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist	❌ No — some pursue additional sex therapy training	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No
LCSW	Licensed Clinical Social Worker	❌ No — varies widely by program	⚠️ Not always (ask!)	✅ Yes	❌ No
PhD / PsyD	Clinical or Counseling Psychologist	❌ No — only with added specialization	⚠️ Not always (ask!)	✅ Yes	❌ No
MD / DO, Psych NP	Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner	❌ No — medical focus only	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
AASECT CST	AASECT Certified Sex Therapist	✅ Yes – Extensive training required	✅ Yes (since a mental health license is required)	✅ Yes (since a mental health license is required)	❌ No

Final Thoughts: You Deserve an Expert Therapist Who Gets It

Sexual concerns are never just physical or emotional—they’re usually a messy, human mix of both. That’s why it matters to work with someone who is trained, affirming, and not afraid to have real, unfiltered conversations about intimacy, desire, and identity.

The letters after someone’s name are just part of the story. So is the person behind them.

Whether you're seeking sex therapy, couples therapy, or just someone who won’t blink at the phrase “queer ADHD poly switch with anxiety,” I’m here for that. And for you.

Still not sure who to see? Book a free consultation with me, a Colorado-licensed sex therapist today. I’ll help you figure out your next best step, and am happy to chat with your existing therapist once we meet for a first session. Why wait? I always like to meet with you human to human first before I discuss your care with another professional.

Coming Up in This Series & Beyond:

We're right in the middle of a 3-part journey to help you better understand where to turn for support with sexual health concerns in Colorado.

If you missed it, start with Part 1: Should I See a Doctor or a Sex Therapist for Sexual Issues? — it breaks down the key differences between medical and therapeutic support, and how to begin figuring out what kind of help might be right for you and Part 2: What Kind of Doctor Should I See for Sexual Health Concerns? — where I break down which medical providers are best for different issues—so you can skip the awkward guessing game.

Here’s what’s next:

Next Tuesday, June 24th ahead of Denver's Pride (June 28th-29th): Denver Pride: Remembering the Roots, Recognizing Bisexual Erasure, and Questioning Corporate “Rainbow-Washing” Whether you’re marching in the streets, tuning in online, or just vibing at home (introverts unite... at a distance!), this post will remind you why Pride matters—and who we’re all here to celebrate.

Tuesday, July 1st (in two weeks) will be a bonus blog (think of it as part 3b) to this series: Sex Coach vs. Sex Therapist: What’s the Difference—And Which One Do You Actually Need?

Bookmark this blog page or follow me on instagram so you don’t miss the rest!

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