Find a Mental Health Professional for Intimacy, Closeness & Sexual Health

About Intimacy, Closeness & Sexual Health support

Intimacy difficulties can affect people across all relationship types and life stages. They may involve emotional distance, difficulty with physical closeness, mismatched desire, sexual concerns, or a sense of disconnection from a partner. Issues with sexual health and function, including low libido, pain during sex, difficulty with arousal or orgasm, or concerns about sexual identity, can also carry significant emotional weight and are often not easy to bring up with a GP or partner. Psychologists, counsellors, and sex therapists offer a safe, confidential space to explore these concerns without judgement. Therapy may draw on relationship and communication work, body-based or somatic approaches, trauma-informed care, or specific sex therapy models. When intimacy concerns have a physical component, collaboration between a mental health professional and a GP, gynaecologist, urologist, or pelvic floor physiotherapist can be very helpful. In Australia, the Society of Australian Sexologists and the Australian and New Zealand Association of Sexuality Educators, Researchers and Therapists (ANZASERT) provide directories of qualified sex therapists. Many practitioners work with both individuals and couples. Medicare rebates can apply to sessions with a psychologist or mental health practitioner for related concerns such as anxiety, trauma, or relationship difficulties through a GP referral.