Home Page

What is psychosexual counselling?

Sexual problems are more common than you might think.  It is not uncommon for people to experience sexual issues at some point during their lives.  Psychosexual counselling is a talking therapy that is aimed at helping people who are experiencing difficulties in their sexual lives, regardless of sexual orientation, gender, disability, relationship status or cultural background.  There are various causes for sexual difficulties, they can originate from physical, emotional or psychological issues or it may be a combination of these factors.

Psychosexual counselling can be offered to both individuals and couples, if you are in a relationship. You and your therapist can discuss which option is best suited to your particular situation.

 

What do we offer?

Here at Croydon University Hospital we understand that talking about intimate sexual problems can often feel uncomfortable and we appreciate the courage that it takes to seek help for sexual issues.  Your counsellor will offer you a safe and non-judgmental space to explore the difficulties you are experiencing and to look at ways to resolve these issues, empowering you with skills and knowledge to make changes.

We offer time-limited, short term psychosexual counselling to help both individuals and couples overcome psychosexual issues in a safe, confidential, non-judgemental, supportive and empathetic environment. Our service offers between 6 to 12 sessions in fortnightly intervals

Please ask your GP to fill in the referral form below and email to ch-tr.sexualhealth@nhs.net.

Psychosex referral form

 

How does it work?

First, you’ll need a referral from your GP. Once we’ve received that referral, we’ll contact you to make an initial assessment. There are various reasons why you might be experiencing difficulties in your sex life.  Your counsellor will ask you a number of questions to understand the problems you’re experiencing and what you would like to achieve. If you and the counsellor agree that psychosexual therapy sessions will benefit you, we can create a plan of treatment together.

 

How long will it take?

We offer 6-12 session, carried out on a fortnightly basis. Each session lasts 50 minutes for individuals and couples. Your treatment is carried out by a qualified psychosexual counsellor or a therapist in training.

 

What does the treatment involve?

Psychosexual therapy is a talking therapy often drawing on different modalities / therapeutic approaches, sessions do not involve any physical contact or sexual activity, between patients and counsellors and nor is will your counsellor be able to prescribe any medications.  Within your initial session you and your therapist will look at the problems you are experiencing, your history and what you would like to achieve. 

Often the therapy will involve homework, practical exercises for you to do in the privacy of your own home. 

 

 

 

Professionals:

 

Sarah Calvert UKCP, COSRT

Lead Psychosexual Therapist

Croydon University Hospital

 

I’m a professionally qualified, fully accredited psychotherapist, psychosexual and relationships therapist and have developed my practice working privately, within the NHS and in the charity sector. I have accumulated a rich and varied experience dealing with many different issues and people from all walks of life.

I particularly enjoy working with the rich diversity that the Croydon community offers. 

Through psychosexual counselling, I work with clients to enable them to overcome obstacles and problems that are currently preventing them from experiencing a sexual and relational life that they would like to have.  

My aim is for the therapy to be as useful as possible.   I often implement a ‘top down/bottom up’ approach that addresses problematic day-to-day issues with behavioural interventions whilst exploring and seeking to address the underlying causes. Clients often find this is a helpful and effective way of moving forward.

Apart from my clinical work, I also supervise the team of psychosexual therapist working at the clinic.  

In addition to working at the Heath, I manage my private practice where I also provide training to professionals to help increase their knowledge about sexuality, relationship and mental health issues.

I also enjoy regularly contributing within the media on issues relating to sexuality, relationships and general mental health issues.