Sex & Relationship Therapy for Couples & Individuals
Helping you rewrite your love and intimacy story
Hello, I’m Renata
It’s a pleasure to welcome you. I offer a safe, supportive space for individuals and couples to explore and overcome sexual challenges while deepening intimacy and pleasure.
You might be stuck in a cycle you can't break on your own. Perhaps you feel that something is not quite right, but you can’t make sense of it or move forward.
I am here to support you in unravelling the confusion. You might want a safe place to process the emotions and feelings affecting you, somewhere to start a journey towards a more harmonious and satisfying life.
In my work, I draw from Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), a collaborative approach in which both therapist and client are actively engaged. It helps you become more aware of your feelings, including those that may have been buried or avoided due to past experiences, supporting lasting change and helping you feel more emotionally aware, balanced, and content.
In our work together, we’ll explore what’s beneath the challenges you’re facing. Feelings like shame, guilt, or fear are common when it comes to intimacy and sex, and you don’t have to face them alone. I offer a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space where you can begin to understand yourself more fully.
Some of the issues I work with include:
Relationship and communication difficulties
Anxiety or worry about sexual performance
Difficulty reaching orgasm, or not experiencing orgasm at all
Pain or discomfort during sex, including penetration
Feeling a lack of desire or a loss of interest in sex
Not feeling aroused or connected during intimacy
Feeling unsatisfied or disconnected in your sexual experiences
Problems with getting or maintaining an erection
Premature or delayed ejaculation
Changes in your sex life related to peri-menopause or menopause
Vaginismus (involuntary tightening of the vaginal muscles)
Compulsive sexual behaviours (often called porn addiction)
About Me
I strive to hold a space where desire and healing can meet, where you’re invited to explore your needs, and your truth with curiosity, care, and presence. In my experience, reconnecting with desire is not separate from healing, it’s often the way into it.
I am a sex-positive, kink-aware and poly-friendly therapist and work following the Ethical Frameworks of the COSRT (College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists) and the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).
In my practice I support clients in addressing a wide range of concerns, including performance anxiety, painful sex, vaginismus, low sexual desire, erectile or ejaculation difficulties, gender and sexual identity, alternative sexual preferences, compulsive sexual behaviors, and more.
I’m here to help you reconnect with your body, your partner, and your authentic sexual self.
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Academic Background:Core Tranining in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy-ISTDP (in progress)
MSc Psychosexual Therapy (in progress) – University of Lancashire
Post Graduate Diploma in Psychosexual Therapy-University of Lancashire
Post Graduate Certificate in Psychosexual Therapy – University of Lancashire
BA (Hons) in Integrative Counselling – Worcester University
Foundation Degree in Person-Centred Counselling – Worcester University
Additional training:Couples Counselling Certificate
Online and Telephone Counselling
Working with Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Other interest and Continuing Professional Development (CPD):
Trauma, Self-harming and Suicide Risk, Neurodiversity, Existential Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Respectful Parenting and Nonviolent Communication, Wheel of consent
Counselling / Psychosexual Therapy Experience:Trainee Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist at the charity organisation that offers relationship counselling (2024-2025)
Private Practice Counsellor – In-person, online, and outdoor therapy (2021-2023)
Over 4 years’ experience working as a counsellor supporting clients with trauma at the sexual abuse support centre, a charity organisation (2018-2022)
Relevant Experience
Counselling Placement Coordinator
Lecturer in Counselling Ethics and Diversity
Membership Organisations / Code of Ethics:
Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)
Registered Member of the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT)
Other Information:Fully insured, DBS checked, GDPR compliant and ICO registered
Receiving regular clinical supervision
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I’m passionate about helping people create a more fulfilling and connected life
My journey into personal growth began in 2012 and has profoundly shaped how I live and relate to myself and others. Along the way, I have experienced a variety of talking therapies, psychosexual coaching, somatic (body-based) practices, and mindfulness, all of which inform and enrich my work. I also spent several years deepening my connection with the body through presence, breathing techniques, and embodied awareness. These experiences were not only healing but empowering, and ultimately led me to train as a therapist so I could support others in exploring relationships, intimacy, sexuality, and self-connection in a safe, grounded way.
I began working as a counsellor in 2018, supporting people who had experienced sexual abuse and trauma. After four years, I moved into private practice, and since 2024 I have been primarily focusing on helping people explore and improve their relationships, intimacy, and sexuality.
I am a qualified counsellor, as well as a psychosexual and relationship therapist. My training includes a foundation degree and a BA (Hons) in Integrative Counselling, with a person-centered focus, and an MSc in Psychosexual Therapy. I have also completed a couples counselling course and am currently undertaking ISTDP (Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy) core training, which deepens my understanding of emotional patterns and informs my approach.
I receive regular supervision and engage in ongoing professional development to continually refine my skills and grow as a practitioner.
Sex Therapy
Psychosexual Therapy (sex therapy) is an integrated approach that combines psychological aspects of talk therapy, sex education, and body awareness techniques to help you reconnect with your body, emotions, and desires in a grounded and meaningful way.
I use a combination of evidence-based talk therapy, sexology studies, and somatic (body-based) practices to support your growth. I am also undertaking ISTDP (Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy) core training, which informs my approach to understanding emotional patterns and supporting deep, lasting change. Sessions are strictly talk-based, focusing solely on verbal communication and mindfulness-based techniques, with no physical touch involved.
In our work together, we will look at the emotions and patterns that may be holding you back-how your past experiences might still be affecting your present-and work on developing awareness, skills, and practical tools to help you move forward. Our work may involve recognising your needs and boundaries, improving communication with a partner, or learning to reconnect with your body’s natural responses and sensations.
Together, we’ll work toward healthier, more fulfilling relationships and a more satisfying intimate life.
Fees
I offer warm, confidential therapy both face-to-face in Exeter, as well as online.
Individual Sex Therapy – £65
Individual sex therapy is for those looking to explore sexual concerns one-to-one. Sessions are 50 minutes long.
Couples & Relationship Therapy – £75
For couples seeking support with relationship issues and sex-related difficulties. Sessions are 50 minutes long.
FAQs
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Sex therapy can support you with a wide range of concerns, including low desire, painful sex, vaginismus, erectile or ejaculation difficulties, performance anxiety, gender or sexual identity questions, compulsive behaviors, kink, and more. You don't need a diagnosis to benefit, if something’s affecting your sexual or relational wellbeing, you're in the right place.
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In the first session, we will talk about therapy agreement, explore the challenges you’re facing and how they may be affecting you and your relationships. I’ll explain more about psychosexual therapy, ask questions to better understand the underlying causes, and discuss how we might work together moving forward. Therapy sessions are collaborative and tailored to your needs. We will talk about your experiences, explore emotions, understand the influence of past events, and work on practical strategies for change. If appropriate, somatic (body-based) tools may be used to help you reconnect with physical sensations and feel more at ease in your body. There is no physical contact or nudity during sessions.
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Yes, many people feel unsure or anxious at first, especially when talking about something as personal as sex. That’s completely okay. I work gently and at your pace, creating a respectful space where you can feel safe to open up when you're ready.
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Everyone’s journey is different-we will regularly check in on your goals and progress together.In the first session, we’ll explore the challenges you’re facing and how they may be affecting you and your relationship. I’ll explain more about psychosexual therapy, ask questions to better understand the underlying causes, and discuss how we might work together moving forward.
Typically, the first 3–6 sessions are focused on completing an assessment and clarifying your therapy goals. After this initial period, I will provide suggestions on how to proceed with therapy. You can then decide whether to continue with the therapy process or stop at that point.
Ending therapy is an integral part of the process. The conclusion of therapy will be agreed upon based on your individual needs and goals. Once therapy goals have been met, we will meet for a further 2–3 sessions to reflect on the work and discuss the way forward. If therapy ends earlier than planned for any reason, we will have a final session to review and formally close the process.
You are not contracted to a specific number of sessions unless otherwise agreed, and you may stop therapy at any time.