Hi, I’m Kim Ronan. For over a decade, I’ve helped high-achieving individuals and couples explore their inner world, heal from emotional blocks, and experience more fulfilling sexual and emotional intimacy.
And if you’re here, you might be wondering:
How do I find the right sex therapist in Los Angeles that I can trust and someone who gets it?
That question matters more than you think. The right sex therapist isn’t just someone with good credentials. It’s someone who listens with empathy, works at your pace, and helps you feel safe enough to go deeper.
According to an article, a 2010 study by Girard and Woolley found that low sexual satisfaction accounts for 50%–70% of overall relationship satisfaction, highlighting the powerful link between intimacy and relationship health. Certified sex therapists who complete at least 90 hours of human sexuality education, 60 hours of specialized training, and supervised clinical work are uniquely equipped to address issues like low libido, arousal challenges, sexual trauma, and performance anxiety. These evidence-based interventions can help individuals and couples not only resolve sexual difficulties but also build confidence and strengthen emotional connection.
Let’s walk through what to look for so that you can make a choice that feels right for you.
What’s the Difference Between a Sex Coach and a Sex Therapist?
This is one of the most common questions I get, and it’s an important one.
A sex coach typically focuses on goal-oriented, action-based support. They can be incredibly helpful if you’re looking for practical guidance, sexual wellness tips, or help navigating a specific issue like spicing things up in your relationship.
As a sex therapist, I bring a sex-positive, trauma-informed lens to challenges like anxiety, attachment, and identity. With dual master’s degrees in Social Work and Public Health from UCLA, I’ve spent years studying human sexuality and couples dynamics. My approach blends research-backed therapy with practical tools, grounded in both professional training and hands-on experience.
In short: A sex therapist can do what a sex coach does…plus a lot more.
Many of my clients find me while searching for a sex coach in Los Angeles, and discover that what they actually needed was a more holistic, therapeutic approach. You get all the benefits of coaching but with the depth of therapy when you need it most.
Start by Defining What You Want
Before booking a consult or reading bios, pause for a moment and ask yourself:
- What’s bringing me here?
- Am I looking for more connection, more pleasure, or more confidence?
- Do I want to work on this alone or with my partner?
For some, the focus is overcoming shame. For others, it’s communication, desire differences, trauma, or rediscovering pleasure after years of disconnection.
There’s no right answer, just your truth. And once you can name even a small piece of it, the right therapist will help you build from there.
Look for Real Training and Experience
The term “sex coach” gets thrown around a lot. But real, effective healing comes with education, clinical awareness, and specialized training.
As a sex therapist with dual master’s degrees in Social Work and Public Health from UCLA, I’ve dedicated my career to understanding trauma, anxiety, intimacy, and couples dynamics. I completed advanced training in sex therapy through the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) and continue to receive ongoing supervision from leading experts in the field. This combination of rigorous education, mentorship, and real-world experience allows me to blend research-backed methods with practical, compassionate tools for the couples and individuals I work with.
So when you’re choosing a sex therapist in Los Angeles, ask:
- What kind of clinical or therapeutic training do they have?
- Have they worked with the kind of challenges you’re facing?
- Do they continue learning and consulting?
You deserve someone who’s not only experienced but deeply committed to ongoing growth in this field.
Choose Someone You Actually Like Talking To
This one’s simple, but powerful.
You have to feel safe with the person you’re opening up to. You should feel:
- Heard without judgment
- Understood, even in the awkward moments
- Comfortable enough to say the hard stuff
Therapy, especially when it involves sex and intimacy, can stir up old fears, stories, and habits. That’s why trust is essential. Without it, it’s hard to move forward.
When clients work with me, they often say things like:
“This is the first time I’ve ever talked about this out loud.”
“I didn’t know how much shame I was carrying until I let it out.”
“It finally feels like I can breathe.”
You want a space that lets you exhale and be honest.
Ask About Approach and Methods
Every sex therapist brings their own lens. For me, therapy is not one-size-fits-all. That’s why I combine several evidence-based methods, including:
- Sex Therapy Techniques to explore desires, boundaries, and intimacy in practical ways.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to shift unhelpful thoughts around sex and self-worth.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) to connect with different “parts” of you such as fear, desire, and shame, and then help them work together.
- Trauma-Informed Care for clients carrying pain or fear from past experiences.
- The Gottman Method to help couples rebuild trust, improve communication, and create lasting change.
If your therapist can’t explain how they work or says they “just follow intuition” that’s a red flag.
You deserve someone who has a process and can explain it in plain language.
Understand the Role of a Sex Therapy
Let’s clear up a common myth: sex therapy is not sexual.
It’s educational. Therapeutic. Grounded in consent and ethics.
My work is about helping you reconnect with your body, your voice, and your wants. It’s about setting goals that matter to you and working through the things like stress, trauma, or miscommunication that typically get in the way of accessing pleasure.
Some clients come in feeling anxious about sex. Others feel numb or disconnected. Some want to reignite passion after years of drifting apart.
Wherever you are, the goal is always the same:
To help you feel more confident, more connected, and more in control of your intimate life.
Make Sure It Feels Collaborative, Not Directive
A good sex therapist won’t tell you what to do or how to be.
They’ll collaborate with you.
That means:
- Setting goals together that reflect what you actually want
- Moving at a pace that feels safe
- Checking in and adjusting as you go
Some weeks, that might look like practicing communication skills. Other weeks, it might mean sitting with big emotions or noticing what’s happening in your body.
There’s no perfect way to “do” therapy. Progress can look messy but each step matters.
Look for a Therapist Who Sees the Whole You
Sex doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s tied to everything: your stress levels, your past, your relationship patterns, your nervous system.
That’s why I never isolate “sex problems” from the bigger picture. We talk about:
- What happens in your body during intimacy
- How your nervous system reacts to stress
- The stories you’ve been told about sex and worth
- The ways your inner critic shows up in the bedroom
This isn’t about “fixing” you. It’s about understanding you so that you can start feeling free, instead of stuck.
Pay Attention to the Little Details
The logistics matter, too:
- Are sessions virtual or in-person? (I offer online therapy for clients across California and in-person in Beverly Hills)
- How often will you meet?
- Are the fees clear and fair?
- Is there a clear cancellation policy?
You want someone who communicates clearly from the start with no guessing and no surprises.
Your Goals Matter Most
Whether you want to…
- Feel more desire
- Overcome shame
- Communicate better with your partner
- Explore fantasies safely
- Heal after a breakup or trauma
…you deserve support that’s built around your needs.
That’s why I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. You’re not a formula. You’re a person with real feelings, fears, and hopes.
And that’s exactly how I’ll meet you.
Permit Yourself to Take the First Step
This might be the most important part of all:
You’re allowed to want more.
More connection and ease. More passion and joy.
Wanting more doesn’t make you selfish or broken, it makes you human.
Whether you’re looking for a sex coach or a therapist who can help you move past deeper blocks, I offer a warm, open space to explore what’s getting in the way of your most connected, satisfying sex life. Let’s start wherever you are.
FAQs
1. What’s the difference between a sex coach and a sex therapist?
A sex coach is someone who focuses on education and skills for intimacy. A sex therapist, like myself, is clinically trained to address emotional and psychological factors affecting sexuality. With me, you get the benefits of both.
2. Is it normal to feel nervous before starting?
Absolutely. Most clients feel unsure at first. That’s why I work hard to create a space where you can take things one step at a time.
3. Can I work with you if I’m single?
Yes. Sex therapy isn’t just for couples. I work with individuals who want to explore their own desires, heal from past experiences, or build confidence.
4. Will we talk about trauma?
Only if you want to. But many clients find that understanding their history helps them reconnect with their body and build safety in intimacy.
5. Do you offer consultations?
Yes. I offer free 15-minute consults so you can ask questions and get a sense of what working together might feel like.
