Click HERE to register for the Mirror of Intimacy Webinar on AROUSAL - April 3rd at 12PM PST

Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902
Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902
welcome to Center for Healthy Sex

welcome message from our Clinical Director, Dr. Alexandra Katehakis:

Center for Healthy Sex is a team of dedicated professionals specializing in sex addiction treatment and sex therapy. With over 25 years of experience treating issues of sexual desire and dysfunction, Sexual Addiction, Betrayal Trauma, Love Addiction, and Pornography Addiction, we are confident we can help you with your sexual health needs

Every client is entitled to a free, confidential consultation – if you are ready to begin your recovery process we invite you to call us at (310) 843-9902 or send us a secure message HERE

How we can help

Clinical Issues

Beak of boat sailing on river

Addiction

Sexually compulsive behaviors such as sex addiction, love addiction and porn addiction.

learn more
Landscape detail of Antelope canyon rock formations, Arizona

Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction can be both physical and emotional issues relating to sex and intimacy.

learn more
Beautiful sunrise with mountains, river and meadows in Ushguli, Georgia

Relationship Issues

Relationship issues include mismatched desire, intimacy issues, trust issues, and more.

learn more
How we can help

Our Services

Northern lights in winter forest

individual Therapy

Center for Healthy Sex provides in-person and telehealth services for those concerned with sexual health issues. If you’re struggling with issues of sexual desire or dysfunction, have questions about your sexual health, have been betrayed in your primary relationship, or are struggling with compulsive sexual behavior, we’re here to help.

Spiral stone stairs going down. Barcelona

Couples Therapy

Center for Healthy Sex provides conjoint therapy for all relationship configurations including those in alternative relationships where all members of the relationship are welcome. Couple therapy is often needed when communication breaks down in the system. If you are struggling with having constructive conversations that block intimacy and sexuality, we offer in-person therapy as well as telehealth services for your relational needs.

River

Coaching

Coaching classes are 12-week, pre-planned coaching sessions designed around a specific treatment plan. The purpose of coaching is to help you better understand the nature of your problem and to give you concrete assignments that serve to assist you in making immediate changes to your situation. Center for Healthy Sex provides coaching for early and later stage recovery from sex addiction/compulsivity, porn addiction, love addiction, sexual dysfunction, and healthy sexuality. An intake counselor will assist you in determining which one of our courses will best serve your needs.

Beautiful sunset on a beach with sea stacks

Group Therapy

Center for Healthy Sex offers several weekly recovery groups for men and women, focusing on sex addiction, love addiction, and porn addiction. These therapist lead groups rely on the power of peer experience and peer support to create a strong foundation for accountability and emotional sobriety.

  • Understand addiction and break through the obstacles that prevent recovery
  • Stop destructive sexual patterns such as chronic infidelity or excessive use of pornography
  • Learn recovery practices that have helped thousands of sex addicts get and stay “sober”
  • Build a support network so that you’re not alone in your struggles 

*Groups are limited to 7 participants due to the intense nature of this therapeutic work.

Blogs

our latest post

January 19, 2023

Partner’s Workshop

12-Week Online Workshop for Partners A process group for coping with betrayal trauma. What can I gain from the partner’s workshop? This is a 12…

nature
October 19, 2022

Helping You Heal

A Partner’s Guide to Understanding Sexual Addiction, Recovery and Healing   What’s the purpose of this booklet? If you are reading this booklet, you are…

River
October 11, 2022

Read Our Books

Learn more about the books authored and co-authored by our Clinical Director, Alexandra Katehakis. Sexual Reflections: A Workbook for Designing and Celebrating Your Sexual Health…

October 11, 2022

Books for Sex Therapy Professionals

Several great books have been written on couples sex therapy. Preview them here: Affect Regulation Theoryby Daniel Hill, PhD Affect regulation theory―the science of how…

October 11, 2022

Books for Partners of Sex Addicts

Several great books have been written on couples sex therapy. Preview them here: After the Affair: Healing the Pain and Rebuilding Trust When a Partner…

Get Your Free Consultation

Click Now to Schedule
(310) 843-9902
Click Now to Schedule
(310) 843-9902
QUICK LINKS
GET IN TOUCH
FOLLOW US
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube Linkedin

©Copyright 2022. All Rights Reserved. Center for Healthy Sex

Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

Addiction Challenges

Sex Addiction is a syndrome that includes emotionally (and sometimes physically) injurious behaviors to yourself and others. If you’re preoccupied with sexual behaviors to the extent that you have damaged key areas in you life such as relationships, finances, and career, you likely have a problem. Excessive and inappropriate use of sex can be a temporary salve for managing uncomfortable feelings such as anxiety, depression, untreated childhood trauma, or loneliness. Worse yet, this chronic problem can be both the source and, eventually, the cause of these feelings. We’re here to help you stop hurting now.

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

The pain of betrayal and broken trust is unimaginably painful. If you’re a partner of a sex addict, you’re most likely caught in a vicious cycle of feeling emotionally unsafe and needing the betrayer to reassure you that everything will be okay. This emotional roller coaster is completely normal given what you’ve just discovered. And besides having to take care of yourself, you may also be faced with parenting challenges, financial difficulties, possible exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, and social embarrassment. You deserve comfort and understanding. You don’t have to suffer alone. We’re here to help you heal.

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

If you’re using pornography to the extent that you can’t stop, then you know you have a problem. You’ve likely tried to stop multiple times but even your best intentions have failed you. Feeling demoralized, you keep giving up on yourself or believe that you’re doomed to a life of isolation, procrastination, and an inability to have sex with a real person.  Internet porn addiction is persistent because of the impact it has on the brain. Sometimes there aren’t underlying issues driving porn addiction, it’s just become a bad habit. Chronic use of Internet pornography can be the cause of anxiety, depression, and erectile dysfunction. There’s nothing wrong with you - you’re just hooked. Get out of isolation today and reclaim your life, we’re here to help!

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

If you’re a Love Addict, you know the painful cycle of compulsively seeking relationships or romance despite negative social, emotional, financial, or physical consequences. The addiction to finding the “One” keeps you in fantasy and the endless pursuit of the perfect love object distracts you from uncomfortable feelings or emotions of early childhood abandonment or rejection. Love addicts tend to have unrealistic expectations for giving and receiving love. Slowing down, getting into reality and tolerating real intimacy – not intensity – is what’s required for you to recover and have a stable, secure relationship. Are you ready to heal? If so, we can help.

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

Sex Addiction is a syndrome that includes emotionally (and sometimes physically) injurious behaviors to yourself and others. If you’re preoccupied with sexual behaviors to the extent that you have damaged key areas in you life such as relationships, finances, and career, you likely have a problem. Excessive and inappropriate use of sex can be a temporary salve for managing uncomfortable feelings such as anxiety, depression, untreated childhood trauma, or loneliness. Worse yet, this chronic problem can be both the source and, eventually, the cause of these feelings. We’re here to help you stop hurting now.

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

Partners of sex addicts, spouses of sex addicts, or any significant other who is close with the patient will also need support when they discover the secret life of their mate. The pain of broken trust is massive. The partner or spouse in a relationship with a sex addict is exposed to sexually transmitted diseases, financial ruin and social embarrassment.

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

If you’re using pornography to the extent that you can’t stop, then you know you have a problem. You’ve likely tried to stop multiple times but even your best intentions have failed you. Feeling demoralized, you keep giving up on yourself or believe that you’re doomed to a life of isolation, procrastination, and an inability to have sex with a real person.  Internet porn addiction is persistent because of the impact it has on the brain. Sometimes there aren’t underlying issues driving porn addiction, it’s just become a bad habit. Chronic use of Internet pornography can be the cause of anxiety, depression, and erectile dysfunction. There’s nothing wrong with you - you’re just hooked. Get out of isolation today and reclaim your life, we’re here to help!

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

If you’re a Love Addict, you know the painful cycle of compulsively seeking relationships or romance despite negative social, emotional, financial, or physical consequences. The addiction to finding the “One” keeps you in fantasy and the endless pursuit of the perfect love object distracts you from uncomfortable feelings or emotions of early childhood abandonment or rejection. Love addicts tend to have unrealistic expectations for giving and receiving love. Slowing down, getting into reality and tolerating real intimacy – not intensity – is what’s required for you to recover and have a stable, secure relationship. Are you ready to heal? If so, we can help.

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902
Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

Sexual Dysfunction Challenges

If you suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED) you know how embarrassing, frustrating and demoralizing it can be. ED is defined as an inability to attain or maintain an adequate erection. It can occur during the first phase of the sexual response cycle, the excitement phase or during penetrative sex. There are a number of causes of ED, most of which aren’t permanent or irreversible. Anxiety, excessive porn usage, and feelings of shame about sex and sexuality are some common culprits. Whatever the underlying cause is for you, our sex therapists have experience in treating this problem and we’re here to help.

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

Premature ejaculation (PE) can be one of the most shameful experiences a male can experience. Societal pressure to preform only serves to make you feel worse about yourself as a man and a lover. PE is defined as ejaculation with minimal sexual stimulation before or shortly after penetration and before the person wishes it. Did you know that sometimes PE occurs because of pelvic floor tightness or from anxiety? And, men with PE need more touch, not less? If you feel too embarrassed to talk about this issue but know you need help, our expert therapists can lend an empathic ear and point you in the direction of appropriate resources. PE is not a lifelong problem. Get help today.

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

Do you suffer from extreme anxiety about sexuality when you get too physically or emotionally close to a sexual partner? Do you prefer no sex or anonymous sex to intimate relationships? Are you squeamish about bodily fluids and smells during sex?  If this problem causes you distress or interpersonal difficulty, you may have sexual aversion disorder.  On the other hand, sexual anorexia, describes a loss of “appetite” for romantic-sexual interaction. It’s also a fear of intimacy but without the aversion to sex. Instead, the sexual anorexic deprives themselves of sex and sexuality because it’s too emotionally painful to get close to another person. Instead they live in isolation and interpersonal deprivation. In either case, the first step to making changes is to ask for help. The therapeutic relationship is an intimate relationship. Making yourself vulnerable by talking about your pain is the beginning of learning to be intimate. We’re here for you.

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

Learn more about Sexual Anorexia / Aversion Here

Anorgasmia, also known as Orgasmic Disorder, is the inability to experience orgasm during any type of sexual activity. If you’re like a lot of women, you’ve “tried everything” to no avail and feel like something’s wrong with you. Your inability to orgasm can feel so shameful that you don’t talk about it with your girlfriends, even though you desperately know something’s missing and want answers. If you’ve already seen a gynecologist, then you know there’s nothing physically wrong with your body. Sex therapy can help. Talking about your unique situation and what happens to you during sexual activity, coupled with educational resources, are part of a winning formula. Take a deep breath. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, you can do this!

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

Vaginismus may be the most treatable of the pelvic pain disorders. It’s defined as involuntary spasms of the muscles of the outer third of the vagina. This vaginal muscle reflex may make sexual intercourse painful or impossible. If you suffer from this pelvic pain disorder, you know that it can occur at any point during the sexual response cycle.  Since this is an involuntary reflex, you can actually change the patterns in your body. A sex therapist, along with a pelvic floor specialist who will prescribe daily, at home exercises for you, can assist with weekly conversations in helping you to relax and learn more about how your body works. You can start undoing these patterns today and begin moving toward a healthy sex life.

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

Vulvodynia is a pelvic pain disorder that affects the vulvar area of the female genitals. Symptoms of this sexual dysfunction include pain, burning, stinging, irritation or a sharp pain that occurs in the vulva. If you have this problem, you should see a gynecologist immediately. Seeking emotional support from a caring, non-judgmental sex therapist is also key to your healing. Together with your medical doctor, a sex therapist can assist you in negotiating the best course of action for your daily care. Psycho-education about your body, assisting with outside resources, and having a safe place to talk about your pain and concerns are crucial to your well being. Don’t despair.  You can restore your sex life if you commit to putting your full attention on learning more about yourself and how your body works.

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

If you suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED) you know how embarrassing, frustrating and demoralizing it can be. ED is defined as an inability to attain or maintain an adequate erection. It can occur during the first phase of the sexual response cycle, the excitement phase or during penetrative sex. There are a number of causes of ED, most of which aren’t permanent or irreversible. Anxiety, excessive porn usage, and feelings of shame about sex and sexuality are some common culprits. Whatever the underlying cause is for you, our sex therapists have experience in treating this problem and we’re here to help.

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

Premature ejaculation (PE) can be one of the most shameful experiences a male can experience. Societal pressure to preform only serves to make you feel worse about yourself as a man and a lover. PE is defined as ejaculation with minimal sexual stimulation before or shortly after penetration and before the person wishes it. Did you know that sometimes PE occurs because of pelvic floor tightness or from anxiety? And, men with PE need more touch, not less? If you feel too embarrassed to talk about this issue but know you need help, our expert therapists can lend an empathic ear and point you in the direction of appropriate resources. PE is not a lifelong problem. Get help today.

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

Do you suffer from extreme anxiety about sexuality when you get too physically or emotionally close to a sexual partner? Do you prefer no sex or anonymous sex to intimate relationships? Are you squeamish about bodily fluids and smells during sex?  If this problem causes you distress or interpersonal difficulty, you may have sexual aversion disorder.  On the other hand, sexual anorexia, describes a loss of “appetite” for romantic-sexual interaction. It’s also a fear of intimacy but without the aversion to sex. Instead, the sexual anorexic deprives themselves of sex and sexuality because it’s too emotionally painful to get close to another person. Instead they live in isolation and interpersonal deprivation. In either case, the first step to making changes is to ask for help. The therapeutic relationship is an intimate relationship. Making yourself vulnerable by talking about your pain is the beginning of learning to be intimate. We’re here for you.

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

Learn more about Sexual Anorexia / Aversion Here

Anorgasmia, also known as Orgasmic Disorder, is the inability to experience orgasm during any type of sexual activity. If you’re like a lot of women, you’ve “tried everything” to no avail and feel like something’s wrong with you. Your inability to orgasm can feel so shameful that you don’t talk about it with your girlfriends, even though you desperately know something’s missing and want answers. If you’ve already seen a gynecologist, then you know there’s nothing physically wrong with your body. Sex therapy can help. Talking about your unique situation and what happens to you during sexual activity, coupled with educational resources, are part of a winning formula. Take a deep breath. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, you can do this!

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

Vaginismus may be the most treatable of the pelvic pain disorders. It’s defined as involuntary spasms of the muscles of the outer third of the vagina. This vaginal muscle reflex may make sexual intercourse painful or impossible. If you suffer from this pelvic pain disorder, you know that it can occur at any point during the sexual response cycle.  Since this is an involuntary reflex, you can actually change the patterns in your body. A sex therapist, along with a pelvic floor specialist who will prescribe daily, at home exercises for you, can assist with weekly conversations in helping you to relax and learn more about how your body works. You can start undoing these patterns today and begin moving toward a healthy sex life.

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

Vulvodynia is a pelvic pain disorder that affects the vulvar area of the female genitals. Symptoms of this sexual dysfunction include pain, burning, stinging, irritation or a sharp pain that occurs in the vulva. If you have this problem, you should see a gynecologist immediately. Seeking emotional support from a caring, non-judgmental sex therapist is also key to your healing. Together with your medical doctor, a sex therapist can assist you in negotiating the best course of action for your daily care. Psycho-education about your body, assisting with outside resources, and having a safe place to talk about your pain and concerns are crucial to your well being. Don’t despair.  You can restore your sex life if you commit to putting your full attention on learning more about yourself and how your body works.

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902
Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902

Relationship Challenges

Our therapists take a sex-positive approach and are passionate about helping couples connect at deeper levels of intimacy. Whether you’re struggling with issues of desire and dysfunction or looking to reach your sexual potential, we have the skills to assist you in your process. Some common themes we explore are:

  • Mismatched Desire
  • Sexual Dysfunction
  • Rebuilding Trust after Intimate Partner Betrayal
  • Sexual Exploration and Play
  • General Sex Therapy Questions
  • Alternative Sexual Practices
  • Consensual Non-Monogamy
Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902
Click For Your Free Consultation
(310) 843-9902