The Psychosexual Clinic provides help, support and advice for individuals and couples with sexual problems. At the clinic you will see a doctor or therapist with a special interest and further training in the management of sexual problems. Click a location below to find out more about services in your area.
**PLEASE NOTE: We can only accept Psychosexual referrals from our catchment areas, which are; North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, South Staffordshire, Shropshire, and Telford and Wrekin.
North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
The Psychosexual Clinic provides help, support and advice for individuals and couples with sexual problems. At the clinic you will see a doctor or therapist with a special interest and further training in the management of sexual problems. Depending on the nature of the problem, you may be offered a medical examination, tests, counselling and/or medical treatments.
What are sexual problems?
We can offer help with a variety of problems. These include:
- Arousal problems
- Painful sex (dyspareunia, vaginismus, vulvodynia)
- Difficulties with orgasm
- Difficulties in getting or keeping an erection
- Ejaculation problems, such as premature ejaculation or an inability to ejaculate
- Other genital pain syndromes
- Lack or loss of sexual desire (‘libido’)
- Sexual phobia or anxiety
- Concerns or difficulties regarding sexuality or sexual orientation
- Relationship difficulties as a result of sexual problems
We can see both individuals and couples experiencing sexual problems. If you are in a relationship and are unhappy about your sex life we would be happy to see you.
What treatments does the service provide?
Psychosexual Therapy in this clinic commonly involves a combination of behavioural exercises and CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) but other types of counselling strategies may be used. Sometimes it may be appropriate to suggest medical treatments, in which case we will liaise with your GP.
The number of appointments available is limited. The clinic service offers a maximum of ten sessions, though this can be extended in exceptional circumstances.
Who can be referred to the Psychosexual Clinic?
To be offered an appointment you must be:
- Over 18 years old
- Living in Staffordshire Moorlands, Stoke on Trent or Newcastle-under-Lyme
Our therapy is seen as brief therefore not usually suited to people with acute mental health conditions. We are very happy to see anyone regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, culture or religion. We are a trans and non-binary friendly service.
In addition, we cannot offer appointments for:
- Management of sexual / porn addiction or out of control sexual behaviours
- Management of gender identity disorders
- Individuals who are involved in the criminal justice system
How can I be referred?
You will need a referral from another health professional, preferably your GP but this could be your nurse, consultant or therapist in another service. Your GP could arrange investigations to check for and exclude physical causes for a sexual problem before a referral is sent. Please note we cannot see you if you walk in without an appointment.
What happens when I am referred?
Once your referral letter is received, we will contact you to make an initial assessment appointment. At this appointment you will be seen by a doctor or therapist who will ask you about your experiences and how the clinic treatments may be of benefit. If you have a partner they are welcome, and sometimes encouraged, to attend with you. You will see the same professional on each visit. Appointments are around 45 minutes long. We will encourage you to be honest and talk openly – it is common to feel a bit nervous or embarrassed when talking about sexual matters – we appreciate this and will help you talk about your problems in a sensitive and professional way.
If you have been referred to the service, please ensure you have read the following information before attending your first appointment. You will be given a copy to sign before or during the first consultation.
Referral information for professionals
If you would like to refer someone into this service, please email a referral letter or complete this referral form and send to Psychosexual.Service@mpft.nhs.uk. Also use this email address if you have any questions regarding the service or the appropriateness of a referral. (This email is for professional use only)
Referral form
Download the referral form for the Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire psychosexual service below:
Psychosexual Service Stoke on Trent and North Staffs ONLY Referral Form (.doc)
Resources
Sexual Advice Association – https://sexualadviceassociation.co.uk/
College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists – https://www.cosrt.org.uk/
Sexual Addiction – ATSAC – https://atsac.co.uk/
Sexual Violence – Savanna – https://www.savana.org.uk/
Gender dysphoria – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/
South Staffordshire
Residents of South Staffordshire can all access Psychosexual Therapy/Medicine from sexual health services in two locations Stafford and Burton.
The Psychosexual Service provides treatment and therapy for individuals or couples who experience difficulty with sex or intimacy including complex cases. Such problems can arise from anxiety or lack of confidence and culminate with an individual, or couple, feeling confused and distressed.
Some common difficulties which Psychosexual Therapy/Medicine can help to resolve include:
- Loss of interest or desire with intimacy or sex
- Inability to reach an orgasm
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Inability to achieve or maintain an erection
- Premature or delayed ejaculation
- Lack of confidence
If you struggle with any sexual difficulty please ask your GP or a Sexual Health Professional to refer you for psychosexual therapy.
All referrals will be dealt with promptly and in the strictest confidence.
Referral information for Professionals
If you would like to refer someone into this service, please email a referral letter to Staffordshire.SexualHealth@mpft.nhs.uk. Also use this email address if you have any questions regarding the service or the appropriateness of a referral. (This email is for professional use only)
Shropshire
Psychosexual Therapy (PST) provides treatment for individuals or couples who experience difficulty with sex or intimacy. Such difficulties can arise from anxiety or lack of confidence and culminate with an individual, or couple, feeling confused, distressed and experiencing a breakdown in their communication.
Some common difficulties which PST aims to help resolve include:-
- Loss of interest or desire for sex
- Inability to reach an orgasm
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Unable to achieve or maintain an erection
- Premature or delayed ejaculation
How do you get a referral to PST?
If you or your partner struggle with sexual difficulty, ask your GP or a Sexual Health Professional to refer you to the Psychosexual Therapist, at the Severn Fields Sexual Health Clinic, for an assessment.
PST should only be provided by a suitably qualified therapist. Inappropriate sex therapy can reinforce problems in a relationship rather than help the situation.
PST is a non-prescribing service.
Telford and Wrekin
Psychosexual Therapy (PST) provides treatment for individuals or couples who experience difficulty with sex or intimacy. Such difficulties can arise from anxiety or lack of confidence and culminate with an individual, or couple, feeling confused, distressed and experiencing a breakdown in their communication.
Some common difficulties which PST aims to help resolve include:-
- Loss of interest or desire for sex
- Inability to reach an orgasm
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Unable to achieve or maintain an erection
- Premature or delayed ejaculation
How do you get a referral to PST?
If you or your partner struggle with sexual difficulty, ask your GP or a Sexual Health Professional to refer you to the Psychosexual Therapist, at Bishton Court, Telford, for an assessment.
PST should only be provided by a suitably qualified therapist. Inappropriate sex therapy can reinforce problems in a relationship rather than help the situation.