Best Online Sex Therapy Programs

Modern Intimacy is highly regarded within the sex therapy community. Its team of clinicians is committed to providing the highest level of competent sex therapy services.

Founded by licensed psychologist and Certified Sex Therapist, Dr. Kate Balestrieri, Modern Intimacy is a judgment-free and sex-positive space for clients to learn, heal, and grow without stigma or shame. It operates in several high-population states around the country and offers a variety of sexual health courses to anyone seeking information and resources on specific sexual health topics. 

Its staff of culturally diverse, highly-trained clinicians is well-versed in working with secular and religious clients, monogamous and polyamorous clients, folks exploring their gender identities, and people in non-traditional relationship models, such as BDSM/kink.

Nearly every therapist on staff is either a Certified Sex Therapist or actively pursuing certification, and all are familiar with and trained in working across the sexual health spectrum. The therapists' areas of expertise includes sexual dysfunctions, infidelity, love, sex, porn addictions, alternative lifestyles, LGBTQI+ affirming therapy, trauma, and body image. Some of the clinicians also offer somatic therapies such as Trauma Yoga, EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), and NeuroEffective Touch (a form of somatic therapy).

Sessions are available both in-person and via a HIPAA-secure telehealth platform to clients in New York, Florida, Illinois, Colorado, Connecticut, and California. People interested in working with a Modern Intimacy clinician can self-schedule a free, 30-minute consultation through the practice website. The cost for a sex therapy session ranges from $150 to $300 per session, with sliding scale pricing also available. However, Modern Intimacy does not accept insurance.

Modern Intimacy also offers a wide variety of psycho-educational classes and webinars focused on topics such as toxic relationships, pornography use, body image, and more.

While Lasting cannot replace a Certified Sex Therapist, it is a unique app-based therapy program aimed at couples who may struggle to make time for traditional couples or sex therapy. It helps them work through their mild to moderate relationship challenges in a structured, yet self-directed way, improving their communication, mindset, and conflict around sex and intimacy.

Lasting is an app-based mental health service that is now affiliated with Talkspace, one of the largest providers of online and app-based mental health services. It offers couples an asynchronous app-based model of care that is accessible without limitation within your subscription and is available to users in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia.

While you will not work with a live therapist if you subscribe to Lasting, you will collaborate with your partner to learn communication and conflict resolution skills, as well as other relationship-related tools. The app uses quizzes (many of which are simple “agree” or “disagree” questions) to gauge where you and your partner are most and least compatible. From there, it guides users through collaborative exercises based on attachment theory and emotionally-focused therapy.

However, because you do not interact directly with a therapist, it is best suited for couples experiencing challenges with anxiety, depression, body image, postpartum concerns, mismatched libido, arousal issues, conflict resolution, and communication around intimacy. More complicated sexual health needs, like distressing sexual thoughts or sexual dysfunction, might require a higher level of intervention than Lasting’s model can offer.  

A subscription to Lasting is $60 per month; however, the company does run specials occasionally offering a discounted rate to get started or a seven-day free trial.

While chat-based therapy is not for everyone, it might appeal to users who are too busy for traditional couples therapy or feel uncomfortable talking about sex or intimacy in live calls. Of all providers offering chat-based therapy today, Talkspace is the best option because of its accessibility and ease of use.

Founded in 2012, Talkspace was the first service to offer unlimited messaging therapy on a large scale with a variety of therapists available in all 50 states. Its breadth still makes it still stand out.

Talkspace's therapists range from clinical social workers and marriage or family therapists to licensed psychologists. You can choose to work with a therapist over text, email, chat or video call, based on your comfort and budget.

To sign up, you'll first choose from one of its available plans, which range in price from $260 (for text-only) to over $400 a month (and include live video calls). Then you'll fill out a short intake questionnaire about what you're looking for from therapy, which will help the algorithm match you with a selection of therapists from which you can choose a practitioner. This is your opportunity to specify that you would like to work with a sex therapist.

However, there is no guarantee that you will be paired with a Certified Sex Therapist. You can continue searching through Talkspace's roster of therapists until you find one, or get re-matched, but this may be an inconvenience.

As a result Talkspace is best suited for issues such as anxiety, depression, postpartum concerns, body image, trauma, desire discrepancy, intimate communication skills, and low libido that may effect your sexuality and sex life. People experiencing significant sexual dysfunction, physiological issues such as erectile dysfunction or vaginismus, or seeking kink- or poly-affirming care might not find Talkspace to be the best resource for their needs.

Though this boutique therapy practice only serves California, Queering Therapy leads the field in providing competent, qualified, affirming sex therapy to the LGBTQ+ community without stigma or shame.

Founded by Beverly Ellis, a board-certified sexologist and Certified Sex Therapist, Queering Therapy is a small boutique therapy practice based in San Francisco that serves the entire state of California via telehealth appointments. While this practice does only serve one state, (unlike other options on this list), the practice is one of the most highly regarded in the country, representing the gold standard for GSRD (gender, sexuality, and relationship diversities) communities.

There are only four therapists currently on staff, but all approach their work from a sex-positive, kink-affirming, anti-racist, anti-colonialist, fat-accepting perspective. They specialize in mental health care related to sexual and gender identity, including sexual dysfunction, low libido, desire discrepancies, infidelity, alternative lifestyles, LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy, trauma, body image, and guilt/shame.

Treatment is available for LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples and partners in polyamorous, kinky, or otherwise non-traditional relationships. The practice is a private pay fee for service, though it does offer sliding scale pricing. However, it does not take insurance, and prices vary by provider. All therapists do provide a free consultation.

Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Golden Vibes and its panel of over a dozen sex-positive, LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC-affirming mental health providers is another regional sex therapy provider that is a leader in the field. Offering telehealth sessions to clients throughout Wisconsin, Golden Vibes is a model of what polyamourous-affirming mental health care should be.

Serving clients throughout the state of Wisconsin, Golden Vibes is beneficial for anyone choosing an alternative relationship structure, who identifies as BIPOC or LGBTQIA+, or who is gender-questioning or seeking gender-affirming care. Many of Golden Vibe’s clinicians are also equipped to work with adolescents and children. Golden Vibes offers a breadth of specialized therapy treatments to support and affirm clients of all ages and all identities, including those in polyamorous partnerships and their families. Its blend of creative modalities and inclusive care sets the standard for what an inclusive and affirming sex therapy practice can look like. 

Potential clients accessing the elegant and comprehensive website will find answers to all of their questions, provider profiles, and information about accepted insurance.

Offering therapy services in-office and via their HIPAA-secure telehealth platform in both English and Spanish, Golden Vibes therapists are equipped to help their clients navigate sexual dysfunction, infidelity, low libido, and desire discrepancies, Alternative lifestyles, LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy, trauma, body image, and gender identity exploration can also be addressed. Fees vary by provider and insurance; however, the practice does offer a sliding scale, and brief free consultations are available.

A nonprofit mental health provider offering sex and relationship therapy to culturally diverse individuals and couples, the Council for Relationships has clinicians working across 45 treatment areas as well as psychiatric services. In addition to their work with clients, Council for Relationships also has a robust professional development arm, where it trains the next generation of sex therapists.

Founded almost a century ago, Council for Relationships has a long-established track record of high-quality and effective mental health care. Praised by William Masters & Virginia Johnson (founding leaders in the fields of sex therapy and sexology), the Council for Relationships is a leading voice in the field of Culturally Inclusive Sex Therapy.

Because its staff members are not only mental health providers but clinical educators, Council for Relationships has an exceptionally high level of skill represented among its clinicians and offers many services not only as direct-care therapists but also as sexuality educators and sex therapy instructors.

This deep knowledge makes Council for Relationships therapists ideally suited to working with complex sexual and relational health concerns. Clients who identify as BIPOC, who are in multiracial relationships, or who want to work with someone well-versed in issues related to sexuality and culture would be well-suited to working with the team at Council for Relationships. Visitors to its website can learn about the history of the organization, browse provider profiles and learn more about the clinical and educational offerings available at Council for Relationships.

As with many sex therapy practices, Council for Relationships does not accept insurance; however, they offer sessions with their team of clinical interns that begin at $15. Sessions with a fully licensed provider range from $50–$200 per session. Therapy is available in-person or via a HIPAA-secure telehealth platform and the Council is currently accepting clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Thriveworks has locations around the country and a variety of providers working within each location, so clients can be confident that they will not experience a disruption in care should they need to move or travel. Its affordable subscription-based model also makes Thriveworks a solid option for folks looking for accessible therapy.

Founded by a former consultant for the American Counseling Association and columnist for Counseling Today magazine, Thriveworks is available in 42 states plus Washington, D.C. Users get access to therapeutic support via email and telephone, 24-hour “Ask a Coach” access, online psychoeducational content including the Thriveworks proprietary “Therapy Buddy” app, and live Success Navigator administrative support.

With over 380 locations throughout the U.S., you can also see a Thriveworks therapist in person. The company does not offer a free consultation; however, there is a seven-day trial and a 100% satisfaction guarantee with membership. 

Thriveworks’s website is clean, transparent, and well-organized. Visitors will have no trouble getting their questions answered or scheduling an initial visit. Individuals looking for flexibility may find what they need at Thriveworks, which offers counseling for individuals, couples, adolescents, and children. The group offers a wide variety of types of therapy, but specifically mentions on its website that couples therapy is one of its most popular services.

While it does not explicitly describe itself as LGBTQIA+ or kink/polyamorous affirming, you may certainly request to be paired with a therapist who identifies as such; however, you are not guaranteed to be matched with a Certified Sex Therapist. Once subscribed, users can connect with their therapist via email, or can schedule live sessions either in-office or via a secure telehealth platform.

Live therapy sessions for clients without insurance are $99 each, but most insurances are accepted, so the actual out-of-pocket expense may be much less than this–typically in the $15-$40 range. Contact your local office or your insurance company directly to confirm coverage. Note that Thriveworks is not available in Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin, or West Virginia.

IntimacyMoons is a luxurious, all-inclusive couples retreat that centers sexuality and intimacy in a way that many other sex retreats do not. By focusing on a multidimensional approach to relationship health, IntimacyMoons ensures that its attendees have opportunities to reconnect with their partner's body, mind, and soul.

Founded by Marissa Nelson, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist as well as a Certified Sex Therapist and Educator, IntimacyMoons packs a lot of deep work and joyful play into its weeklong retreats. For couples who can afford the financial investment, these retreats can feel as much like a lux vacation as they do couples therapy.

Open to all kinds of partnerships, including cohabitating but unmarried partners, LGBTQIA+ partners, and polyam/kinky partnerships, each retreat is seven days and includes time spent in individual couples consultation, participating in group therapy activities, attending enrichment classes and excursions, and spending time alone with your partner.

At $6,000 per couple, IntimacyMoons is certainly a relationship investment, but the cost does include food, lodging, airport transport, recreational activities, and a concluding vow renewal ceremony. For couples seeking more individualized attention, IntimacyMoons, which is a BIPOC and woman-owned business, offers private retreats as well.

Pleasure Principle Retreats is unique in offering both couples retreats and opportunities for individuals to reconnect with their bodies and sexuality in a venue that is not focused on hooking up or finding a partner. Grounded in the principles of sex therapy, Pleasure Principle Retreats offers an affordable, accessible option for anyone seeking an immersive sex therapy experience.

For anyone seeking an affordable retreat that packs a lot of value into their time, Pleasure Principle Retreats, founded and facilitated by psychotherapist and Sex Coach Renee Burwell, is the clear winner. At less than half the cost of other retreats, attendees experience five days of group and couples activities, yoga, group processing sessions, and excursion activities, with all meals and lodging included.

Open to all kinds of participants, including cohabitating but unmarried partners, LGBTQIA+ partners, and polyam/kinky partnerships, Pleasure Principle Retreats also offers separate retreat events for folks wishing to attend solo. Each retreat provides participants the opportunity to reflect on their relationships with their bodies, with sex and intimacy, and with each other. The retreat is centrally located in Nashville, Tennessee; note that the $1,250/$2,500 cost does not include airfare.

AASECT offers a one-stop resource to locate Certified Sex Therapists, Educators, and Counselors in nearly every state and many countries. All providers listed are vetted by AASECT to ensure the highest levels of education and sexual health competency.

The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) is a national professional organization leading the way for sex therapy as a field and providing ethical guidance and educational standards to those who practice sex therapy. AASECT members approach their work with clients from a sex-positive, LGBTQIA+ and trans-inclusive, BDSM/kink, and polyam-affirming perspective.

AASECT as an organization does not support a Sex Addiction Model of therapy, so clients seeking treatment from this perspective may not find a good match; however, there are many therapists who specialize in Out of Control Sexual Behavior who are listed. Every therapist included in this frequently-updated directory is a masters-level or higher qualified mental health provider, who has received at least a foundational level of training in kink/BDSM-aware therapy, LGBTQIA+ issues, gender-affirming care, and polyamory/ethical non-monogamy.