Sex Therapy vs. Couples Therapy – Which Is Right for You?

Something feels off in your relationship. Maybe it’s distance, tension, a lack of intimacy, or arguments that never seem to resolve. You’re ready to seek help — but suddenly you’re faced with a new dilemma:
Do we need couples therapy or sex therapy?

It’s a common question, and the answer isn't always obvious. At Life Collective Counselling in Edmonton, we help individuals and couples understand the difference — and more importantly, discover what kind of support best fits their unique situation.

Let’s explore what each therapy offers and how to decide where to start.

What Is Couples Therapy?

Couples therapy (sometimes called relationship counselling or marriage counselling) is designed to help partners:

• Strengthen emotional connection

• Improve communication

• Resolve conflict

• Navigate transitions like parenting, relocation, or retirement

Whether you’re dating, living together, married, or somewhere in between, couples therapy can help you better understand your relationship dynamics — and learn tools to create a healthier bond.

Signs You Might Need Couples Therapy:

• Repeating the same fights with no resolution

• Feeling emotionally disconnected or “like roommates”

• Trust issues after betrayal or infidelity

• Constant misunderstandings or poor communication

• Parenting disagreements or life transitions causing strain

At Life Collective, couples therapy often includes proven approaches like Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), helping partners break toxic cycles and build lasting empathy.

What Is Sex Therapy?

Sex therapy is a specialized form of counselling focused on sexual health, intimacy, and connection. It addresses both physical and emotional aspects of sexuality in a safe, shame-free space.

It’s not about performance — it’s about healing, exploring, and reconnecting with yourself and/or your partner sexually and emotionally.

Signs You Might Need Sex Therapy:

• Lack of desire or mismatched libido between partners

• Difficulty with arousal, orgasm, or pain during sex

• Past trauma or shame affecting sexual intimacy

• Avoidance of sex or touch

• Obsessive sexual thoughts or compulsive behaviors

• Feeling disconnected from your body or pleasure

Sex therapy at Life Collective is handled by trained professionals, who bring expertise in sexual health, trauma-informed care, and body-positive approaches to intimacy.

Sex Therapy vs. Couples Therapy: What’s the Difference?

While there’s some overlap, sex therapy and couples therapy support different aspects of your relationship. Here’s how they compare:

Couples Therapy Focuses On:

• Emotional connection and communication

• Trust issues, betrayal, or ongoing conflict

• Parenting disagreements and life transitions

• Feeling like “roommates” or emotionally distant

• Gottman Method, EFT, and conflict-resolution tools

• Any couple, at any relationship stage

• Sessions are often joint, with some individual sessions included

Sex Therapy Focuses On:

• Sexual health, intimacy, pleasure, and desire

• Mismatched libido or lack of sexual connection

• Sexual dysfunction, pain, or difficulty with arousal/orgasm

• Past trauma, shame, or avoidance of sex/touch

• Sensate focus, psychoeducation, somatic work

• Individuals or couples with sexual or intimacy concerns

• Sessions may be individual or couple-based, depending on needs

Note: These are not either-or options. Many clients benefit from both types of therapy — either sequentially or simultaneously.

What If We Need Both?

It’s more common than you’d think! Many couples begin in one area and discover the need for support in another.

For example:

• A couple might start couples counselling to resolve emotional distance — and realize their physical intimacy needs attention too.

• Or an individual might seek sex therapy for shame or dysfunction, and eventually bring their partner in for joint healing.

At Life Collective, your therapist will help guide you — sometimes making referrals within our own team so you’re always working with the right specialist.

We work collaboratively and holistically, ensuring therapy evolves as your needs evolve.

Why Life Collective Counselling Edmonton?

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Specialized Therapists: Our team includes counsellors trained specifically in sex therapy, trauma, and couples work.

• Inclusive & Affirming: We support all genders, orientations, relationship styles, and cultural backgrounds.

• Integrated Approach: We recognize the overlap between emotional and sexual intimacy — and tailor therapy accordingly.

• Safe & Confidential: We create non-judgmental spaces to explore even the most sensitive topics.

FAQs

• Can I come to sex therapy without my partner?

  Absolutely. Many people start individually, especially when working through personal experiences like trauma, shame, or low desire.

• What if we disagree on what kind of therapy we need?

  That’s okay — start somewhere. A therapist can assess your concerns and recommend the most appropriate path.

• Will sex therapy involve physical exams or nudity?

  No. Sex therapy is talk-based and focuses on communication, education, and emotional exploration. There is no physical touch involved.

• How do we know when to switch between therapy types?

  Your therapist will guide you. At Life Collective, we check in regularly to ensure therapy is aligned with your evolving needs.

A Different Kind of Relationship Support

Too often, people wait until things hit a breaking point before seeking help. But therapy isn’t just for “fixing” — it’s also for growing, connecting, and thriving.

Whether your challenges are emotional, sexual, or both, Life Collective Counselling Edmonton offers a path forward that fits you.

Still unsure if you need sex therapy, couples therapy — or a bit of both? That’s okay. Let’s talk about it.

Book a confidential discovery session today with Life Collective Counselling Edmonton and take the first step toward a more connected, fulfilling relationship.