Sex Therapy in Ann Arbor, MI
Questions and challenges around sex and intimacy are some of the most common things people carry — and one of the least talked about. Whether you're navigating mismatched desire, recovering from sexual trauma, working through pain during sex, or simply wanting to feel more present and connected in your intimate life, sex therapy offers a space to explore all of it without shame or judgment.
At Intuitive Therapy Partners, sex therapy is provided by Sarah Cissell, LMSW, CST — one of a small number of AASECT-Certified Sex Therapists in the Ann Arbor area. Sarah brings specialized training in human sexuality that goes well beyond standard licensure, and a warm, direct approach that makes difficult conversations feel manageable.
Sex therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy that addresses sex-related concerns entirely through conversation. Sessions are fully clothed and take place in a standard therapy setting. There is no physical contact between therapist and client — ever. If you've hesitated to reach out because you weren't sure what to expect, that's one of the most common reasons people wait longer than they need to.
What brings people to sex therapy
If any of these symptoms resonate with you, sex therapy can help you address the underlying issues and develop strategies to address your concerns and to feel more connected to yourself.
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Whether you’re experiencing a decrease in sexual desire or struggling with mismatched libidos in your relationship, we can help you understand the root causes and find solutions.
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Many people experience unwanted pain during sex. If you have a diagnosis such as vulvodynia, dyspareunia, genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, or vaginismus, we are prepared to support you in finding new ways to respond to pain.
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Learn effective strategies to manage erectile dysfunction and regain confidence in your sexual health.
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Have you found yourself worrying about your sexual performance? We can help you find new ways of addressing your anxiety so you can feel present during intimacy.
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If premature ejaculation is affecting your sexual satisfaction, we provide targeted therapy to improve control and enhance pleasure.
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Overcoming the effects of past sexual trauma or abuse is a crucial part of therapy. Our therapists are trained to support you through this sensitive process.
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Improve how you communicate with your partner about sexual needs, expectations, and boundaries, ensuring a healthier relationship dynamic.
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Explore and embrace your sexual identity or orientation in a safe, supportive environment.
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Exploring kink, BDSM, polyamory, or other non-traditional aspects of your sexuality in a judgment-free space with a therapist who is knowledgeable and affirming.
How sex therapy works
Sex therapy at ITP draws on a combination of evidence-based approaches — including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), attachment theory, narrative therapy, and sensate focus techniques — adapted to what works best for you. There's no standard script. Some clients work through a specific concern in a handful of sessions; others do deeper, longer-term work around identity, trauma, or relationship patterns. Sarah works with you in a confidential, safe space to explore your concerns, identify underlying issues, and develop personalized strategies for improvement. Whether you're struggling with individual challenges or seeking to enhance intimacy with your partner, sex therapy can help you reconnect with your body, your desires, and your relationship.
Sarah works with individuals and couples. Sessions can be individual only, couples only, or a mix of both depending on what's most useful. If you're not sure which format is right for you, the free 15-minute consultation is a good place to start.
Sex therapy is not just for addressing problems; it can also be a tool for enhancing your overall sexual well-being.
Sex therapy provides a safe, guided space for partners to express their needs, concerns, and desires. You can learn healthier ways to talk about sex, reducing misunderstandings and increasing emotional closeness.
Improved Communication
Benefits
Address past experiences of trauma or abuse that may be affecting your sexual health and relationships. Therapy provides a safe space to process trauma, rebuild trust, and reclaim a healthy relationship with sexuality.
Healing from Trauma
Changes such as pregnancy, menopause, chronic illness, or aging can impact sexual well-being. Sex therapy helps individuals and couples adapt to these transitions with compassion and practical tools for maintaining intimacy.
Guidance Through Life Transitions
Beyond just physical issues, sex therapy nurtures emotional and physical intimacy. It helps individuals and couples rediscover connection, rebuild trust, and rekindle affection in a supportive, non-judgmental setting.
Increased Intimacy
Reduced Anxiety
Sex therapy empowers clients to better understand their bodies, boundaries, and preferences. This self-awareness often leads to greater confidence and comfort in sexual situations, enhancing overall satisfaction.
Enhanced Pleasure
Discover new ways to experience pleasure and satisfaction with yourself or your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No — never. Sex therapy is talk therapy. Sessions are fully clothed conversations in a standard therapy office. There is no physical contact between therapist and client, and nothing sexually explicit occurs in session.
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Sarah holds the AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) credential from the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists — the leading professional organization for sex therapy in the US. Earning this requires advanced training in human sexuality beyond standard licensure, supervised clinical hours specifically in sex therapy, and ongoing professional education. It's a distinction held by a small number of therapists nationally, and fewer still in the Ann Arbor area. It means you're working with someone who has been trained specifically for this, not a general therapist who lists sexuality as one item on a long specialties list.
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Both. Sex therapy is available to individuals and couples. Many clients come alone to work through personal concerns around intimacy, desire, body image, or past experiences. Others attend with a partner to address shared concerns. Some clients begin individually and later bring in a partner — we can structure sessions however makes most sense for your situation.
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Sex therapy addresses a wide range of concerns including low or mismatched desire, difficulty with arousal or orgasm, pain during sex (vaginismus, dyspareunia), performance anxiety, intimacy avoidance, recovering from infidelity or betrayal, navigating sexuality and identity, effects of trauma or abuse on intimacy, and relationship disconnection. You don't need to have a specific dysfunction — many clients simply want to deepen their relationship with their own sexuality or with a partner.
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Sex therapy sessions at Intuitive Therapy Partners are billed as standard psychotherapy, which means they follow the same insurance coverage as any other therapy session. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). Self-pay and sliding scale options are also available. Contact us to confirm your specific plan and benefits.
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Yes. Sarah offers secure video sessions for clients anywhere in Michigan. Teletherapy works well for sex therapy — many clients find the privacy of their own home actually makes these conversations easier. In-person sessions are available at our downtown Ann Arbor office.
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That's one of the most common things we hear — and it never stops being valid. Most clients feel some version of this before their first session. Sarah is specifically trained to create a space where these conversations feel safe and natural from the start. The easiest first step is a free 15-minute consultation — low pressure, no commitment, just a chance to ask questions and see if it feels like a fit.
Meet Your Therapist
Sarah Cissell, LMSW, CST
Sarah holds the AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) credential — advanced certification in human sexuality from the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists, held by a small number of therapists nationally.
Sarah works with individuals and couples on the full range of sexual health concerns — from low desire and pain during sex to trauma recovery, identity exploration, and relationship dynamics. Her approach is direct, warm, and free of the clinical distance that makes these conversations harder than they need to be. She's kink-aware, ENM-affirming, and works with clients across the full spectrum of sexualities and relationship structures.
If you've been putting off reaching out because you weren't sure how to start the conversation, or because you weren't sure a therapist would actually understand — that's exactly what Sarah's consultation is for.
