Clinics, Sex Therapists and Counsellors Specialising in Disability
Sex therapy takes place in a therapy room, and involves talking, rarely with a medical examination when necessary. No sex is involved. Sex therapists normally see couples who are having sexual difficulties. Most sexual difficulties stem from problems within the relationship.
Sometimes sex therapists see people individually, and this is especially so with disabled people who may be experiencing sexual problems that stem from their disability, or from the medication they have been taking to relieve pain, etc.
Sex Therapy sessions usually last one hour and the therapy is usually quickly effective – four visits is often enough for a satisfactory outcome.
Clinics, sex therapists and counsellors who specialise in sex and disability are listed below.
Disabled people and their health professionals and care staff can discuss sexual issues on the Sex and Disability Helpline 0707 499 3527 from 11am - 7pm weekdays.
There is a two-year waiting list for sex therapy on the National Health. If you don't fancy the wait, your GP should be able to point you to other therapists whose charges are reasonable.
If you don't want to approach your GP, and none are local to you in our list, you can search by typing “Sex Therapy” and your home town / nearest town into google, or approach following:
British Association for Sexual and Relationship Therapy offers high standards in sex therapy and their website lists accredited therapists all over the country. http://www.basrt.org.uk/ Relate offers advice, relationship counselling, sex therapy, workshops, mediation, consultations and support face-to-face, by phone and through their website. Some of their counsellors and sex therapists are trained in disability. www.relate.org.uk/ BACP - The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Their website gives explanations of all the different kinds of therapies and helps you find the right person for you locally. Some of these might be clueless about sex and disability, others may be trained. http://www.bacp.co.uk/ Clinics, Sex Therapists and Counsellors specialising in disability
Alma Medical Centre Psychosexual Clinic Bournemouth. Telephone 01202 519 311 Victoria Appleyard 0207 247 2741 / 07759 164 519 torieapppleyard@hotmail.com\
Jo Ballard Penzance. Sees disabled clients and can accommodate disabled people who can manage or or two steps. 01736 731038 jo_ballard@btinternet.com
Priya Commander London SW9. Specialises in physical disability. 020 7793 1827Lorna Couldrick South Sussex Very experienced with disabled clients. 01424 215 205 couldrick@btinternet.com
Shanta Gyanchand Psychosexual Therapist. Member of BASRT. Specialist areas: All psychosexual and relationship areas, especially surviving sexual abuse, intercultural relationships, fetish issues. Practice at Gyanchand & Hunt, 19 Bolsover Street, London, W1W 5AN wheelchair accessible with prior notice. 07817375031shanta@gyanchand.orgwebsite www.thelondontherapist.com
Rosalie Gunn Southampton Contraception and Sexual Health Service. www.southamptonhealth.nhs.uk
Rosalind Hewitt North London and Salisbury. Psychosexual Counsellor and tantra workshops. All disabilities including Aspergers Syndrome. Ground floor therapy room. 020 8340 4824 rosalind.hewitt@tiscali.co.uk
Martin Jelfs MA. (Integrative Psych.), MAHPP, UKCP Reg. Integrative Psychotherapist,MBACP Senior Accredited Counsellor and Supervisor. Welcomes disabled clients including wheelchair users. Runs tantra workshops (see www.tantra.uk.com ) and one-to-one tantra work at www.shivoham.asia. I work in London and where I live near Salisbury. Sahaja, Shaftesbury Road, Compton Chamberlayne, Wilts. SP3 5DJ 01722 714530, mobile 07973 504121. m.jelf@zen.co.uk www.quickpsycotherapy.com
Ronald Malone Surrey 020 8390 7527 maloneronald@hotmail.com www.ronaldmalone.co.uk
Simon Parritt South London. Disabled psychosexual relationship therapist. 020 8542 2994. simon.parritt@talktalk.net
Relate Lancashire (Preston) Clients are asked to contribute at a level they can afford and nobody is turned away. Speak several languages. 01772 717 597admin@relatelancashire.org.uk www.relatelancashire.org.uk
Respond Nationwide. Respond psychotherapists work with people with a learning disability. This may be needed as a result of sexual abuse or neglect or trauma of some other kind. They have a wealth of specialist knowledge in the area of abuse, including sexual. 020 8383 0700 admin@respond.org.uk
Alan Richens Kidderminster, Worcs. Alan works in team of male and female therapists who specialise in learning disabilities. No fee. 01562 741 709. alan@richens@nhs.net
Dr Rena D Sampson North London. NHS and private. All disabilities 020 8445 6272 rena.sampson@talk21.com
Steve Shears MSc Psych, BSc Psych, Dip PST, HG Dip, Cert CC Relate. MBACPTraining Manager and Psychosexual Therapist – Headway – the brain injury association. Psychosexual Therapist – Relate and in Private Practice www.headway.org.uk training.manager@headway.org.uk steveshears@btinternet.com
Rosemary Tidby Chatham Kent. Specialising in learning disability 01622 776300 rosemary.tidby@kmpt.nhs.uk
John Trewhella Penzance 01736 711548 john.trewhella@waitrose.com