Sexology

Sexology and Psychology

Sexology therapy offers a safe, non-judgmental space to explore and address topics related to sexuality, intimacy, and relationships. Guided by evidence-based approaches, our sexologist will gently help you navigate concerns such as sexual challenges, communication difficulties, or emotional connections. These sessions can foster a deeper understanding of sexual health, nurture healthier patterns of intimacy, and support overall well-being and pleasure

What to Expect in a Sexology Session:

Each sexology session is tailored to your unique needs. With care and compassion, your therapist will create a welcoming environment where you feel comfortable discussing your thoughts and feelings. Sessions may include:

  • Reflecting on and exploring beliefs, experiences, and challenges around sexuality to build up your unique sexual narrative.

  • Practising techniques to improve communication and intimacy with yourself and/or partner/s.

  • Gently working through specific sexual concerns or challenges.

  • Learning about sexual health, anatomy, pleasure and wellbeing.

  • Exercises to foster self-awareness, confidence, and pain-reduction.

  • Healing past sexual and relationship trauma. 

Every session is thoughtfully designed to meet your personal or relational goals, progressing at a pace that feels right for you, with a trauma-informed and compassion-focused approach

We provide a safe space to explore the complexities of desire, identity, and connection without shame.

What do sexology sessions involve?

  • Your therapist will begin by explaining the structure of the session and creating a safe, welcoming space where you can openly share your concerns and background. Please know that therapy happens at YOUR pace and you will never be rushed with our trauma-informed approach and experience.

  • This is a time for you to discuss challenges or ask questions about your sexual health and intimacy in a supportive, non-judgmental environment with your therapist.

  • Depending on your needs, your therapist may guide you through relaxation techniques, communication exercises, or educational activities to understand your unique sexual experiences and support your goals.

  • Each session is personalised to suit your unique needs and goals, ensuring you receive meaningful and effective support, bringing the best of compassion, psychology and sexology together.

  • Learning about the body’s arousal and desire system, trauma responses, polyvagal theory and other psychology-informed models to enhance knowledge, reduce fear and increase understanding and capacity for pleasure and resilience.

  • Exploring and unpacking personal, societal, cultural and gendered stories or beliefs that may contribute to your challenges and experience.

  • Identifying and challenging negative thought patterns to break cycles of fear, pain or avoidance if relevant.

  • Incorporating deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness practices to reduce stress or pain and increase self-awareness and connection. 

  •  Learning how to communicate openly with partners to foster emotional support and understanding.

  • Our sexologist Jen is also a registered psychologist. The combination of being a psychologist and a sex therapist allows her to offer clients a holistic approach to mental health, intimacy, and relationships. By integrating evidence-based psychological strategies with specialised sex therapy, she helps clients foster self-compassion, reconnect with their bodies, and build fulfilling, authentic relationships with themselves and others.

Is Sexology Therapy Right for You?

Sexology therapy can be a meaningful experience for you to enhance your sexual health, strengthen intimacy, or address challenges such as low desire, sexual dysfunction, or communication struggles. It’s a supportive space to safely explore and better understand your unique sexuality that goes beyond common and often misleading cultural narratives, myths or expectations.

However, sexology at our practice may not be suitable for those experiencing a mental health crisis or high distress, active substance use, or those not ready to engage in open discussions. A consultation with the Practice Manager can help determine if sexology therapy is the right fit for you at this time.

Vaginismus and Pelvic Pain: Read Jen’s article to learn more about sexual pain and Vaginismus as well as suggested treatment pathways.

Meet Our Sexologist: Jen Vellios

At Gabriella de Mori & Co Counselling, Jen Vellios brings warmth, understanding, and expertise to her work as a psychosexual therapist. With a compassionate approach, Jen helps individuals explore sensitive topics in a safe and supportive environment. 

Her goal is to nurture connection, build confidence, and help you experience greater fulfilment in your intimate life. 

Jen has spent a decade investing in her evidence-based education. She holds a Master of Sexology from the reputable Curtin University, is a Registered Psychologist, an EMDR trained therapist and has additional extensive experience in vaginismus and women’s experiences of pelvic pain.

Sexology therapy is grounded in research and informed by findings in psychology, medicine, and human sexuality. Studies have shown its effectiveness in improving sexual satisfaction, intimacy, and overall well-being.

Additional Resources:

Jen’s Areas of Interest

  • Working with sexual pain involves a compassionate, evidence-based approach to help you reconnect with your body and reclaim pleasure. It includes exploring the physical, emotional, and relational factors contributing to the pain and learning how to create a sense of safety in your body. 

  • Working with low desire or libido focuses on understanding the unique factors impacting your sexual interest, including stress, relationship dynamics, and societal expectations. I’ll create a non-judgemental space to explore these influences and reconnect with personal desires. Through education, communication strategies, and mindfulness techniques, you can rediscover pleasure and develop a fulfilling connection with your sexuality.

  • Working with sexual or relationship trauma requires a trauma-informed, compassionate approach that prioritises safety and empowerment. We’ll gently explore the impact of past experiences on current emotions, relationships, and intimacy, at a pace that feels right for you. Through body-mind integration, self-compassion, and specific trauma processing techniques, such as EMDR therapy, you can rebuild trust in yourself, your body, and others, fostering healing,  resilience, and a sense of safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

*

Frequently Asked Questions *

  • Sessions vary depending on your needs. We might talk through your concerns, explore patterns in your relationships, address physical or emotional aspects of sexual wellbeing, or unpack societal messages that may be influencing your experiences. Sessions are always collaborative, you won’t be told what to do, but rather guided in finding what works best for you.

  • This varies depending on your goals and concerns. Some people notice progress after a few sessions, while others find longer-term support beneficial.

  • It’s normal to experience a range of emotions when exploring personal topics. Tears, if they arise, are a natural response and part of the healing process. We go at your pace, guiding you to grounding and trauma-informed strategies to support triggers or fears.

  • That’s completely understandable. Talking about sex, relationships, and intimacy can feel vulnerable, especially if it’s something you haven’t openly discussed before. Sessions are a judgment-free space where you can go at your own pace and use the language that feels right for you. There’s no pressure to share more than you’re comfortable with.

  • Sexology therapy can support you to address challenges like low desire, sexual dysfunction, intimacy struggles, or difficulties expressing sexual needs that are often experienced with shame, guilt or embarrassment. Talking about your challenges fosters self-awareness and nurtures wellbeing and an alleviation of shame or feeling alone.

  • Sexology therapy focuses specifically on sexual health and intimacy, drawing on psychological, medical, and educational perspectives to address these areas holistically. Sexologists have advanced training. While they often collaborate with GPs or Women’s Health Physios, Sexologists bring a truly invaluable psychological and sexological perspective to presenting problems

  • Sexual and relationship challenges often contribute to anxiety, depression, stress, and trauma. As Jen is a registered psychologist, you are able to access her services using a GP Mental Health Care Plan.

Work with Jen

Jen hosts sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays in Cottesloe or online.
Please note Jen is not a couples counsellor and sees individual clients only.