Clare Staunton

Sex Therapy with Heart. Increasing pleasure and decreasing anxiety around sex, dating, intimacy and relationships. Trauma informed and somatic/ emobodied practitioner.

Everyone’s meant to have conflict-free relationships, be happy with intimacy, and have an orgasmic sex life. Aren’t they? Not all of us do. Although admitting this can be tough, you are not the only one.

Just doing an internet search to find a sex or relationship counsellor can be daunting. If your sex life is not as you’d like it, or your relationship is in limbo, a sex or relationship therapist might be able to help.

We all have different sexual appetites or desires for a relationship. You might already know what these are, you might know what they are but haven’t figured out how to make them happen yet – or you may have no idea what you want at all. Whichever stage you’re at, our work together will aim to unlock further understanding and help you have fuller relationships.

Clients I have worked with have reported increasing time spent with parter, more sober sex, confidence in dating, a 'healthier' sexual education and further understanding of their behaviour in relationships. I have also given clients practical skills - (sexually and in communication) that they will be able to take away and use themselves. Clients who have been in generic therapy before tell me they are addressing an area that has been almost ignored in their previous work.

Please give me a call or drop me an email to book in an initial 'Discovery Session' and I will be really honest about whether we could work together, or if there is someone else I can refer you onto that would be better suited to you. You can also text me if you are unable to email / call now. We can sort out a time to have an initial 10 minute conversation - that's all it takes to start the process. Let's start the conversation.

How I work?

I'm open minded and kind. When you feel ready to make changes I will gently challenge you to do so. There is never any nakedness in the room, and I'm not like the mother in 'Meet the Fockers' film! I may give you exercises to try at home, but generally sessions are interactive. If you would prefer a counsellor who will consistently sit quietly for hours while you recline on a chaise longue and stare at the ceiling, then we might not be the best match!

I don't wish to keep you in counselling longer than you need, and if I'm not the right person to be working with you, I'll try to recommend someone who may be more appropriate. A ten minute chat on the phone should help us kick start the process.

Who I can help:

Typically clients may call me about some of the below because they are causing difficulties in their life or relationship.

My clients include people are in same or mixed sex relationships or who might not be in relationships at all. This includes people who are ethically non monogomous or sex workers.

If you have a Vagina ....

• Dysperunia (painful sex) - whether through penetration or touching around the vulva
• Lack of lubrication
• Non Arousal
• Vaginismus (where your vagina struggles to engage in penetrative play)

If you have a Penis

• Delayed ejaculation(when it takes you longer than you’d like to ejaculate)
• Lack of or maintaining erection when you want them
• Rapid ejaculation (ejaculating quicker than you’d like - not called Premature Ejaculation - everyone has different times!)
• Retrograde ejaculation (when ejaculate goes backwards into the bladder)

For Everyone

• Analismus (where you struggle to engage in penetrative anal play) or Anodyspareunia (receptive painful anal sex)
• Anorgasmia (inability to orgasm)
• Body dysmorphia (excessive unhappiness with your body)
• Codependancy
• Fear of intimacy - exploring how you may avoid or step into that space
• Fertility Problems, miscarriages, terminations
• Growing older and changes involved
• Impact of religion on sensuality / sexuality
• Low desire or low libido
• Medical conditions that are effecting sexual function (such as Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Problems or HIV)
  
• Not able to maintain / sabotaging intimate relationships
• Porn - if you are concerned you're watching 'too much' or may have compulsive behaviour.
• Physical and mental abuse history and impacts on intimacy and /or sex
• Post Natal Phase - adjusting to post baby bodies and family dynamics
• Sexual assault or abuse - exploring trauma or impacts on relationships/sex
• Sexual orientation – if you’re unsure of your sexual orientation and this is causing you difficulty.
• Virginity or celibacy

Many of the more general issues listed above can interlink with relationships, whether sexual or not (that include stress, disability, trauma, bereavement, phobias).

If you are looking for a general therapist on, for example, bereavement work - this would not be me. However if, using this example, since loosing a partner / family member you have been having intimacy or relationship issues then this would be where I specialise. Most work I undertake is relational in content and style. - often CPTSD is at the heart of it (General sense of unsafety in your family home/ institution experienced growing up). Sex therapy within that is often rarely 'just' about sex itself.

Discovery (initial) first session is £200 (1:1) or £260 (1:2) and lasts up to 90 minutes (This includes email summary of resources suggested tailored to you).

Ongoing sessions are most commonly 75 or 90 minutes.

75 minute sessions are £150 (1:1) and £180 (Couples).

90 minute sessions are £180 (1:1) and £215 (Couples)

Please have a mooch around my website for most up to date detail, and get more of a feel about me, and if I might be the right fit for you. www.sexualhealinguk.com. Email is the best first approach - https://sexualhealinguk.com/contact/

Boring but essential- Privacy & Data: The law has recently changed. By contacting me, via any means,  you are 'opting in' regarding giving me your permission to be in contact with you and leave message on voicemails. I will hold all personal data responsibility and in strictest confidence. I will never knowingly share your data with any other parties, unless further express permission is given as part of our ongoing client agreement.