Aoife is an Accredited Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist and is currently carrying out a Doctorate in Psychotherapy. Aoife is passionate about debunking mental health stigmas and creating a safe environment to talk about sexual health challenges.
What is psychosexual therapy?
Psychosexual therapy is a form of therapy working with sexual challenges, both as an individual or couple. We look at past and present experiences, medication, physiological issues and relational components. Ultimately supporting you through difficulties you may be facing.
How does one become a psychosexual therapist?
With much needed regulations coming into the Psychotherapy/Counselling world, qualifications in Psychology or Psychotherapy are good starting points. Psychosexual therapy is a form of Psychotherapy. Knowledge of general mental health conditions is imperative alongside different therapeutic schools of thought. Alongside this, it’s vital to have a good understanding of biological components that may interfere with sexual functioning; hormones, medications, physiological elements. Trauma training is important too. Many clients will need support following distressing experiences.
Why might someone go to psychosexual therapy?
People attend therapy for a wide range of reasons. For example: Clients may be survivors of sexual abuse. Sexual dysfunctions ranging from Vaginismus, Vulvodynia to Premature Ejaculation and Erectile Dysfunction. Sexual challenges following cancer diagnosis, spinal cord injuries, transgender clients may need support, before and after surgery. It doesn’t matter what you are faced with, if you feel you need support, please do reach out!
Why might a couple go to relationship therapy?
There can be a multitude of reasons why a couple may attend; desire discrepancy, sexual dysfunctions, infidelity, IVF issues. Couples are welcome to attend if they just need a little bit of support from a professional surrounding communication, equally if they are in crisis.
What are some barriers to attending psychosexual therapy?
Often there is shame or stigma with the idea of attending therapy. People often assume that there is something drastically wrong if you need to see a therapist. But everyone needs support at times in their life and psychosexual therapists are here to do that!
What would you say makes for a good pyschosexual therapist?
Compassion: Empathy and care are the foundations for any therapist.
Wonder: We often believe that when we have good knowledge, we understand how to support a client- far from it. Everyone is an individual and the client is the expert. Therapists should never stop being inquisitive.
Ethics: Harm can occur in therapy. Knowing boundaries, working within your scope, engaging in supervision, and constantly working on your biases are essential.
What advice would you give to people thinking of trying psychosexual therapy?
It’s daunting to reach out to a therapist for the first time but incredibly brave. COSRT is an accreditation body for Psychosexual and Relationship Therapists, have a read through the listing and reach out to someone who sounds like a good match. Remember you are never obliged to stay with a therapist. If they don’t feel like they are the right fit, that’s OK! There are many more of us!
Any recommended reading/watching/following in relation to talking to kids about pyschosexual therapy?
Podcasts: The Wellness Sessions by Kate Moyle is a wonderful podcast on normalising sexual challenges.
Asking for a Friend by Catriona Boffard offers an insight into challenges many of us face but feel uncomfortable talking about.
Books: Come as you are, by Emily Negoski is an incredible book full of wisdom. She also has a workbook.
Mind the Gap by Karen Gurney. Is a great book for both individuals and couples on getting a better understanding of themselves and their partner/s
Platform: We are Ferly. Is an app dedicated to sexual wellness and better connecting with self.
Have a question? Want to work with me? Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any query you may have. Please note that this form is not for making bookings for coaching sessions (please visit my Booking page for more details).
This service is fully limited to Sexuality Education. All advice is given in an honest manner and as guidance only. By using this service, you agree that you make your own decisions, relying solely on your discretion; any use you make of such answers, advice or services is at your own risk and ‘Grace Alice Sexuality Educator’ cannot be held responsible or be liable for any damages or losses resulting from your reliance on such answers or advice.
Firstly, let us start with what the session is not! I am not a practicing sex therapist, sexologist, medical professional, psychotherapist, psychologist, counsellor, or mental health professional. Therefore, I do not provide medical advice (although I may recommend that you seek guidance from a medical professional if appropriate) or a therapy service.
Sex & Relationships Education is a separate field to these professions, and I employ my own unique approach based on my qualifications, training, and experience. I hold an undergraduate degree in Occupational Therapy and a Masters degree in Health Promotion. I have over six years experience working as a Sex & Relationships Educator and have undergone continuous professional development and training. I also studied empathy education as a UNESCO scholar, which informs my approach. Details of my qualifications and training are available on my LinkedIn page – please see the ‘About’ page also!
Within a session, I offer a confidential and safe space for discussion of various issues relating to relationships and sexuality. I strive for a relaxed, informal vibe, where you can chat about something that you have been struggling with. I can offer a friendly and non-judgemental listening ear, suggestions on how you can approach your own personal situation, general information on the related topic(s) and details of relevant professionals, support services and organisations (usually in a follow-up email). I can accommodate sessions relating to many topics relating to relationships and sexuality – including but not limited to body image, sexual communication, consent and boundaries, protection, anatomy, vaginismus, porn, STIs and STI stigma, healthy and unhealthy relationships, gender and sexuality, pleasure, arousal, desire, infidelity, break-ups, dating, and more. I want my clients to feel relaxed, comfortable, and free to talk without fear or shame, like they would with a very close friend!
In a nutshell, you can contact me via the booking page on this site and request a booking. If I decide that a session with me would be a good fit for you, I will contact you and arrange a time and date!
Here is the pricing for sessions;
| Service | Duration | Cost |
| Standard Session | 1 hour | €50 |
| Student* Standard Session | 1 hour | €40 |
| *A valid student I.D. must be presented. |
Please note that the session must be paid for in full at least 24 hours prior to the session, using the payment method and details I will provide to you in an email. If you do not have PayPal, we can arrange another form of payment (Revolut or bank transfer – please factor in the extra time it will take you to set up an account if needed or the possible delay in bank transfers, this may slightly affect the scheduling of your session).
Due to the nature of this service, I cannot offer any refunds for any reason during or after a session.
However, if you have paid and can no longer attend the scheduled session, I can offer you a full refund if you notify me of the cancellation at least 48 hours beforehand. If you wish to reschedule, please notify me at least 48 hours before the time of the scheduled session, and we can work something out!
Imay choose not to do a session with you if I feel that I am unable to offer support or education relating to your situation. I will contact you to let you know if I have decided that my service is not a good fit for you, and I will offer some suggestions regarding more suitable professionals/organisations/services to contact.
Although we may chat about lots of different things during a session, if someone has clearly not been truthful in the booking form about the topic area that want to discuss and appear to have an ulterior motive in booking the session, I may choose to end the session. The same rule applies to a situation where someone is clearly not who they have stated they are in the booking form.
I cannot offer sessions to anyone under the age of 18 years. I may choose to ask you to present a copy of a valid form of I.D. if I feel that confirmation of age is needed. Requesting to book a session indicates that you are aged 18 years or over, and that you are being truthful in disclosing your age.
If I feel that someone is being disrespectful, offensive, or inappropriate, and I feel uncomfortable, I may choose to end the session. I may also end the session if I believe that it is being recorded.
Y
es! Confidentiality is essential to a service like this and I will do everything in my power on my end to protect it.
Here is what I will do on my end; I will abide by GDPR guidelines and make every effort to keep all personal information relating to sessions safe. Booking requests and emails with a form attached/included will be retained for no more than 1 year. The form may be printed, and I may take notes before, during and after the session either by hand or typed. Forms, notes, and USB key will all be stored in a locked file safe in my home office. All forms and notes (hard and soft copies) will be deleted and/or destroyed after one year. I will send you a Zoom Meeting ID and password before the session using the email address you have given me. I will use headphones and will be alone in a private space during all sessions. All records of calls and video calls will be deleted after one year.
Please be mindful of what you choose to share within the session. I have an obligation to break confidentiality and report to Tusla and/or the Gardaí any disclosures of child abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse and other crimes.
Here is what you must do on your end! You must not screenshot, record and/or distribute any part of your session. It is also your responsibility to protect your privacy as much as you like on your end. This may include keeping your phone password-protected, using a non-identifiable email address that does not include your name, deleting correspondence, making sure you have a private space for your session where you will not be interrupted or overheard, etc.
