Sex therapy

Reviving Intimacy and Connection

Are you feeling disconnected from your partner? Is intimacy a source of stress rather than pleasure in your sexual life? At Revive Intimacy Couples Counseling in Austin, I help couples and individuals address sexual concerns, enhance communication, and rebuild satisfying intimate relationships as a certified sex therapist.

Sex therapy can help when you and your partner used to feel close and connected, but now intimacy feels like another item on your to-do list or worse, something you avoid altogether. The distance between you is growing, conversations about sex are awkward or nonexistent, and you’re dealing with issues like mismatched desires, performance anxiety, trust issues, or past trauma that make physical and emotional intimacy feel impossible. Every night you go to bed feeling more like roommates than lovers, wondering if this is just how relationships are supposed to be, tired of feeling broken and disconnected.

Sex therapy will ensure that you and your partner don’t have to navigate this alone. As a certified sex therapist and licensed marriage and family therapy associate, I specialize in helping couples and individuals rebuild intimate connection through evidence-based approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy and trauma-informed care. Together, we’ll create a safe space to address your specific concerns and develop practical tools that allow you to rediscover pleasure, deepen your emotional bond, and create the fulfilling intimate relationship you both deserve.

My Sex therapy Services in Austin

Revive Intimacy - Utkala Maringanti - Sexual Health Alliance Certificate

Sex therapy is a specialized form of talk therapy that addresses issues related to intimacy, sexuality, and relationship dynamics. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I provide compassionate, evidence-based care for clients throughout Austin, Lakeway, Westlake, and Bee Cave, following guidelines from the Sexual Health Alliance for ethical practice.

What I Treat

As a certified sex therapist, I help clients with a wide range of sexual issues and common concerns:

For Couples

  • Mismatched sexual desire and libido differences
  • Communication difficulties around intimacy
  • Sexual dysfunction impacting your relationships
  • Rebuilding trust and connection after infidelity
  • Navigating sexuality during life transitions
  • Consensual non-monogamy and open relationships
  • Infertility challenges affecting your sex life
  • Enhancing intimacy and sexual satisfaction

For Individuals

  • Sexual anxiety and performance concerns
  • Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation
  • Painful sex and vaginismus
  • Low libido and desire issues
  • Sex addiction and compulsive behaviors
  • Recovery from sexual trauma
  • Body image and self-esteem concerns
  • Sexuality issues and identity issues

Sex Therapy Austin: What Actually Helps in Sex Therapy

When people search for sex therapy, they’re usually not looking for reassurance—they’re looking for clarity.

They want to know:

  • What actually happens in sex therapy

  • Whether it’s practical or just talking

  • If it can help with desire, anxiety, communication, or intimacy

  • And whether reaching out to a Sex Therapy Austin provider will make a real difference

At Revive Intimacy, sex therapy is thoughtful, evidence-informed, and deeply relational. The goal isn’t to fix anyone, it’s to understand what’s happening in your body and relationship so intimacy can feel safer, more connected, and more satisfying.

What Does Sex Therapy Focus On?

Sex therapy addresses more than sexual behavior alone. Sessions often focus on:

  • Understanding desire and arousal patterns

  • Reducing shame and anxiety around sex

  • Learning how to talk about intimacy without blame or pressure

  • Recognizing how stress, past experiences, and relationship dynamics affect connection

Rather than using one-size-fits-all techniques, therapy is tailored to your goals, values, and relationship context.

How Sex Therapy Supports Change

In sex therapy, clients often work on:

  • Education and normalization to reduce shame and confusion

  • Communication skills to express needs and boundaries more safely

  • Desire exploration to understand what supports or inhibits arousal

  • Nervous system regulation to reduce anxiety, shutdown, or performance pressure

  • Relationship patterns that shape emotional and sexual intimacy

When emotional safety increases, intimacy often follows naturally, without force or pressure.

Sex Therapy Is About More Than Sex

Many people begin therapy focused on a specific concern. What they often discover is a deeper understanding of themselves, their relationships, and what intimacy needs to thrive.

If you’re looking for Sex Therapy Austin, working with a therapist who understands both the emotional and embodied aspects of intimacy can help move things from confusion toward clarity—and from frustration toward connection.

The Sex therapy Process

Initial Assessment

Your journey begins with a thorough assessment where:

  • You’ll discuss your specific sexual concerns and relationship issues
  • I’ll gather relevant history to understand your feelings
  • Together, we’ll establish clear goals for therapy
  • I’ll develop a personalized treatment plan addressing your unique needs
  •  

Ongoing Therapy

During regular couples therapy or individual sex therapy sessions, I will:

  • Create a safe space to discuss sensitive matters
  • Teach communication skills specific to sexual topics
  • Address underlying relationship concerns impacting intimacy
  • Provide education about sexual health and functioning
  • Assign practical exercises to practice between sessions
  •  

My Therapeutic Approaches

I integrate multiple evidence-based approaches to address the complex nature of sexual concerns:

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

I use EFT to help couples identify and transform negative interaction patterns that create distance, fostering deeper emotional connection that supports healthy sexuality and more intimacy.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

My CBT approach addresses unhelpful thought patterns and emotions that contribute to sexual difficulties, reducing anxiety and increasing satisfaction in your sexual life.

Trauma-Informed Care

For clients whose sexual issues are related to past trauma, I offer specialized techniques including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to process traumatic experiences and heal.

Sex-Positive Framework

I maintain a sex-positive, kink-informed certification approach that respects diverse expressions of sexuality and relationship structures, helping you feel confident in exploring what matters to you.

Common Sexual Issues I Address

Desire Discrepancies

When partners have different levels of sexual desire, it can create significant relationship issues. As your sex therapist, I help couples:

  • Understand the factors influencing each partner’s desire
  • Develop strategies to bridge the desire gap
  • Create connection that doesn’t pressure either partner
  • Address relationship concerns that may be manifesting as sexual problems

Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction can cause distress in relationships. I provide comprehensive treatment for:

  • Erectile dysfunction, addressing both physical and psychological components
  • Premature ejaculation and delayed ejaculation
  • Painful sex (dyspareunia) and vaginismus
  • Orgasm difficulties
  • Low libido and arousal concerns

My approach recognizes the complex interplay between physical health, emotions, relationship dynamics, and past experiences, often collaborating with healthcare providers for complete sexual health support.

Communication About Sex

Many couples struggle to discuss sexual topics effectively. My therapy helps by:

  • Creating an environment where you can feel confident expressing needs
  • Developing language for talking about sex comfortably
  • Teaching skills for navigating differences without shame
  • Fostering deeper understanding of each partner’s relationship to sexuality

Intimacy After Trauma

Sexual trauma can have lasting effects on intimacy. My trauma-informed approach helps clients:

  • Process traumatic experiences at a comfortable pace
  • Develop skills for managing anxiety and triggers during intimate encounters
  • Rebuild a sense of safety and control in your sexual life
  • Communicate effectively with your partner about boundaries
  • Rediscover pleasure and connection in healthier relationships

Infidelity Recovery

When trust has been broken, rebuilding intimacy requires intentional work. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I guide couples through:

  • Processing the complex feelings following infidelity
  • Understanding factors that contributed to the breach of trust
  • Establishing new boundaries and agreements
  • Gradually rebuilding physical and emotional connection

Sex Addiction

For those struggling with compulsive sexual behavior, I provide:

  • Assessment of problematic patterns
  • Tools for managing urges and developing healthier coping mechanisms
  • Exploration of underlying issues including anxiety and depression
  • Support for affected partners and relationships

Benefits of Sex therapy

For Relationships

My sex therapy helps couples develop:

  • Enhanced communication about desires and boundaries
  • Deeper emotional connection and intimacy
  • Greater understanding of each other’s needs and feelings
  • More satisfying sexual experiences
  • Skills to navigate differences with compassion
  • Resilience to manage life transitions together

For Individuals

Individual benefits of my sex therapy include:

  • Improved relationship with sexuality
  • Reduced sexual anxiety and performance pressure
  • Enhanced self-esteem and body image
  • Greater comfort expressing desires and boundaries
  • Healthier coping strategies for sexual concerns
  • Increased overall sexual satisfaction and well-being

Navigating Life Transitions

Major life changes often impact sexuality and intimacy. As a family therapist associate with family therapist supervisor training, I specialize in helping clients navigate transitions such as:

Becoming Parents

The transition to parenthood brings physical changes, new demands on time and energy, and shifting relationship dynamics. I help new parents maintain intimacy amid these changes.

Blending Families

Creating a new family unit brings unique intimacy challenges. As a family therapist associate, I support couples in establishing healthy patterns that nurture both the relationship and family system.

Health Challenges

Illness or injury can disrupt sexual patterns. My therapy helps couples adapt through alternative expressions of intimacy and connection despite physical limitations.

Mid-Life and Beyond

Aging brings natural changes to sexuality. I help clients adapt to these changes positively, finding new paths to satisfaction appropriate for their life stage.

Virtual and In-Person Options

I offer both in-person and virtual therapy options:

In-Person Sessions in Austin

My comfortable, private office provides a dedicated space for therapy sessions, with the benefit of face-to-face connection. As the right therapist for your needs, I can help you feel ready to address even the most sensitive concerns.

Telehealth Services

For clients who prefer remote sessions, I offer secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual therapy, providing convenience and accessibility while maintaining confidentiality. I serve clients throughout Texas, including those from San Antonio.

Why Choose Me for Sex therapy

Specialized Expertise

As a certified sex therapist with LMFT-S and LPC-S credentials, I have advanced training in sexual health and understand the complex nature of sexual concerns. I’m also an EMDR trained therapist, providing specialized trauma treatment for clients whose sexual difficulties are connected to past experiences.

Compassionate Approach

I create a judgment-free environment where both women and men can discuss sensitive topics with confidence and comfort.

Evidence-Based Methods

My therapeutic approaches are grounded in research and proven techniques for addressing sexual issues effectively.

Personalized Care

I recognize that every individual and relationship is unique, tailoring my approach to your specific situation and goals.

Inclusive Practice

As a passionate therapist, I welcome clients of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and relationship structures, including those exploring consensual non-monogamy and open relationships.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Revive Intimacy offers:

  • Individual and couples sex therapy

  • Extended couples intensives for deeper, focused relational work

  • A supportive, trauma-informed approach centered on lasting change

Schedule a consultation to explore whether sex therapy or a couples intensive is the right fit for you.


Learn more about couples intensives if you’re seeking meaningful progress in a shorter timeframe.

Intimacy doesn’t improve through pressure—it grows through understanding, safety, and intention.
Support is available when you’re ready.

Located in:

Lakeway, TX

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sex therapy only for couples?

No, sex therapy benefits individuals as well as couples. Many clients seek individual therapy to address personal sexual concerns, including anxiety, trauma recovery, and sexuality issues.

The duration varies depending on your specific concerns and goals. Some clients see significant improvement in 8-12 sessions, while others benefit from longer-term therapy. I’ll discuss timeline expectations during your initial consultation.

Sex therapy is talk therapy that involves discussing your concerns, learning new communication skills, exploring emotional patterns, and developing strategies to address specific issues. I may assign exercises to practice between sessions, but there is never any sexual activity during therapy.

Absolutely. Like all forms of therapy, sex therapy is bound by strict confidentiality laws and ethical guidelines. Your privacy is protected, with exceptions only in situations mandated by law.

If you’re experiencing distress or dissatisfaction related to sexuality or intimacy, sex therapy may be helpful. An initial consultation can help determine if my approach suits your needs or if another form of support would be more beneficial.

Coverage varies by provider and policy. Sex therapy is typically covered when provided by a licensed marriage and family therapist or other qualified mental health professional for diagnosed conditions. I can help you understand your insurance benefits and options.

Let’s work together

Text

+1 (512) 766-9911‬

Email

utkala@reviveintimacy.com

Think we may be a fit? Schedule a FREE 15-minute phone consultation

At Revive Intimacy, the therapeutic environment is rooted in safety, non-judgment, and cultural sensitivity. The practice offers a sex-positive, inclusive space that warmly welcomes the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as those navigating BDSM/kink and ethically non-monogamous relationship structures. By honoring the intersection of faith, gender, and sexuality, the clinic empowers clients to explore their authentic selves and overcome barriers to intimacy, fostering a sense of autonomy and empowerment within their most personal relationships.

Utkala Maringanti, LMFT, CST

Sexual Health Alliance Certified Sex Therapist

ADHD Clinical Services Provider

CONTACT DETAILS