Why This Distinction Matters

When people hear the terms sex coach and sex therapist, they often assume they mean the same thing. But in reality, these roles serve very different purposes. As a trained therapist through my master’s program in Social Work, I deeply understand the clinical side of mental health. However, I chose to work as a sex coach because coaching allows me to focus on empowerment, embodiment, and personal transformation in a way that traditional therapy does not.

So, what is a sex coach? And how does that differ from a sex therapist? Let’s break it all down so you can find the right support for your sexual wellness journey.

Defining a Sex Coach

A sex coach helps individuals and couples explore their sexuality, deepen their pleasure, and build sexual confidence. Unlike sex therapists, we focus on forward movement, action steps, and embodiment rather than diagnosing or treating psychological conditions. In the first session that clients have with me, we go over their specific sexual empowerment goals to ensure that the path I lay out for them supports them in reaching their goals. The results are much more tangible and straight forward so the progress can feel very exciting!

What Is a Sex Therapist?

A sex therapist is a licensed mental health professional specializing in treating sexual issues, including sexual trauma, sexual dysfunction, and mental health challenges related to intimacy. Sex therapists work within clinical frameworks and may use talk therapy to address deep-rooted concerns. I also let my clients know that working with BOTH a sex therapist and a sex coach can be deeply supportive in this journey. Coming at the same issue from different angles and serving multiple purposes.

Key Differences Between a Sex Coach and a Sex Therapist

The biggest difference? Therapy is rooted in mental health treatment, while coaching is about education, embodiment, and practical tools for enhancing sexual satisfaction. In a sex therapy session, you are more likely to talk, understand, process, and heal. In a sex coaching session, you are more likely to learn about anatomy, how to self pleasure, ideas for a fun and spontaneous sex life, and even how to give a great blow job! Throughout this process, we also go into what comes up for you emotionally and mentally as it can bring up lots of stuff. This is where the transformation and healing comes in!

Sex Coaching vs. Sex Therapy: Who Do They Help?

• Sex coaches work with individuals and couples looking to enhance their pleasure, communication, and confidence in the bedroom. I often joke that I should call myself a "communication coach" instead. This is most of what I do anyway!

• Sex therapists work with people struggling with sexual dysfunction, trauma, or mental health issues impacting their sex lives. Therapists are much more equipped to dive into deeper blocks that can get in the way of a fulfilling sex life.

What a Sex Coach Teaches

A sex coach teaches clients how to embrace their sexual energy, communicate desires, and build fulfilling relationships. It’s about growth, self-love, and sexual empowerment. For example, I may have a client that comes to me and says, "I don't feel comfortable with showing my naked body to my partner. I wish I felt more confident." Then, me as their sex coach would engage in practices with them that would support them in embracing their bodies and feel more comfortable in their skin. Thus, breaking down the insecurities, and building confidence and resilience.

Do Sex Coaches and Sex Therapists Provide the Same Services?

No! Unlike sex therapists, sex coaches do not diagnose or treat psychological disorders. However, both sex therapy and coaching can help with sexual challenges in different ways. This is why I call this the POWER DUO!

Can a Sex Coach Help with Sexual Dysfunction?

Yes and no. While sex coaches can help with sexual difficulties related to confidence, communication, or technique, unlike sex therapy, coaching does not address medical conditions like erectile dysfunction or painful sex. A beautiful example of this combo was a client that I had who suffered from painful vaginal sex, and had some pretty intense confidence issues because of it. She was seeing a sex therapist and physical therapist for the pain and me for the confidence concerns. Within a couple of months, she was feeling less vaginal pain and was feeling more confident in her skin. She even died her hair blonde and attended a burlesque class with me! It was so much fun!

The Role of Sex and Intimacy Coaches

Sex and intimacy coaches help clients build emotional intimacy, explore their deepest desires, and develop practical sexual skills for enhancing their relationships. I had a couple client once who came to me because they were having a very hard time in the initiation of intimacy department. They loved each other very much, had a great relationship, but when it came down to getting sexy, neither of them knew how to go about it. Even discussing the topic of sex in general was deeply uncomfortable for them. After a few sessions they felt better about talking about sex and even learned a thing or two about one another. Ok, they learned A LOT! They then learned new ways to approach intimacy that felt great for both of them and were seeing some great improvements in their sexual fulfillment!

Can a Sex Coach Provide Therapy?

No. Although many sex coaches have backgrounds in mental health or therapy (like me!), coaching is not therapy. We don’t diagnose or treat mental health disorders.

Do Sex Coaches Have to Be Certified?

While some certified sex coaches receive formal training, coaching is not a regulated field like therapy. Be sure to work with a reputable professional with education in human sexuality and sex education. I have my sex education certification, my Bachelors in Gender Studies and my Masters in Social Work, I managed an adult store for 4 years, and have been coaching for 5 years now. I may someday become a certified sex coach, but for the time being, I feel comfortable and confident with the knowledge and expertise I have gained.

What Happens in a Sex Coaching Session?

A sex coaching session is about empowerment, embodiment, and actionable steps. We might explore sexual confidence, sexual pleasure, and relationship coaching to help clients enhance their sex lives. It is a combination of processing, teaching hands on technique (on models and hands of course!), and embodiment practices to become more comfortable with your sexual expression.

What Happens in Sex Therapy?

Sex therapy often involves talk therapy and mental health counseling to address sexual trauma, performance anxiety, or other psychological barriers to intimacy.

Is There Physical Contact in Sex Coaching?

No. Physical contact is not part of professional sex coaching. Instead, we use talk-based sex coaching and guided practices to help clients explore their desires safely. I do use my hands, diagrams, and models a lot to support my clients. Then, I give them homework assignments to practice the techniques they are learning on their own time.

How Sex Coaching Supports Sexual Wellness

Sexual wellness isn’t just about technique—it’s about feeling confident, connected, and aligned with your desires. Coaching provides tools to enhance sexual satisfaction, emotional connection and embrace your full sexual self. I find that one of the biggest challenges my clients face in their sexual empowerment journey is IDENTIFYING with their sexual expression. Many of my clients don't actually see themselves as sexual beings. This creates a dissonance and inability to fully engage in sexual desires. How are you going to act in ways you don't see yourself as?

Addressing Sexual Challenges Through Coaching

Coaching helps with sexual issues like lack of confidence, body image struggles, or difficulty communicating needs (hence, me calling myself a communication coach... ha!) However, for clinical concerns like sexual dysfunction, therapy is a better fit.

How Coaching and Sex Therapy Overlap

While different, coaching and sex therapy both help people improve their sexual wellbeing. However, coaching is more focused on personal growth, embodiment, and relationship satisfaction. The step by step guide is really what attracted me to coaching. I believe that in order to get somewhere in your intimate life, having tangible practices supports the client in feeling like they are actually getting closer to their goal. Say a client comes to me because they have never had an orgasm and would like to have one. Through assigning them self-pleasure practices and teaching them about how pleasure in the body works, they can slowly but surely see their progress until, BOOM, they reach their goal!

How to Choose Between a Sex Coach and a Sex Therapist

Ask yourself:

• Do I need healing from past trauma? → Therapy.

• Do I want to explore my pleasure and confidence? → Coaching.

• Am I struggling with a diagnosed mental health condition? → Therapy.

• Do I need practical tools for better intimacy? → Coaching.

• Do I feel overwhelmed by unresolved emotions from my past? → Therapy.

• Do I want to deepen my connection with my body and sexuality? → Coaching.

• Am I experiencing persistent anxiety or depression that impacts my daily life? → Therapy.

• Am I looking for guidance on communicating my desires and boundaries? → Coaching.

Why I Chose Coaching Over Therapy

With my background in mental health, I could have pursued sex therapy, which often focuses on diagnosing, sexual functioning, and treating dysfunctions. However, I chose coaching because I thrive on guiding people toward transformation in a way that is action-oriented, celebratory, and liberating. Rather than solely exploring past wounds, I help my clients step into their power by giving them tangible tools, deep self-awareness, and the confidence to create the fulfilling sex life they desire. Coaching allows me to focus on embodiment, pleasure, and empowerment—helping people not just heal, but truly embrace and expand their sexual expression and sexual identity. I have always loved the HOW of sex. THIS is where the excitement is for me.

The Future of Sex Coaching and Sex Therapy

As society becomes more open to sexual health education and personal growth, both coaching and therapy will continue evolving to meet the growing need for deeper sexual empowerment; helping people with dating skills, differing sexual desires, and sexual problems. I’ve witnessed firsthand how a simple sex positive approach to someone's life situation can be life-changing—not just in the bedroom, but in every aspect of life. I know what it’s like to feel shame around desire and curiosity. But I also know the freedom that comes from stepping into sexual liberation. Whether through coaching or therapy, choosing to embrace and explore our sexuality is a radical act of self-love and personal power. When we do, we tap into confidence, pleasure, and a more fulfilling life—one where we are fully expressed, unapologetic, and deeply connected to ourselves and others.

Empowerment Starts with the Right Support

Understanding the differences between a sex coach and a sex therapist is key to making an informed decision about what kind of support best aligns with your needs. As someone who has walked this path personally and professionally, I know how empowering it is to have the right guidance.

If you're craving hands-on, action-based guidance to explore your sexuality with more confidence, a sex coach (like me!) can help you break free from limiting beliefs, develop deeper self-awareness, and step into your fullest expression of pleasure. This is for you if you're ready to embrace your desires, improve intimacy, and shift from feeling stuck to feeling sexually liberated.

On the other hand, if you’re working through deep-rooted trauma, mental health concerns, or past experiences that need clinical intervention, a certified sex therapist may be the best path forward. Therapy offers a safe space to unpack past wounds, heal at a psychological level, and receive professional mental health care. My favorite resource for seeking the best therapist for you is www.psychologytoday.com

Whichever route you choose, prioritizing your sexual wellness is an act of radical self-love. Your pleasure matters, your desires are valid, and you deserve to feel fully embodied in your sexuality. And if you’re ready to take that next step, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.