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Sexuality Coaching

What Is Sexuality Coaching? And How It Differs from Sex Therapy

Dr. Bethany Reuter, DPT Dr. Bethany Reuter, DPT

Quick Summary

Sexuality coaching at Enhance PT is a collaborative, shame-free, pleasure-focused service for individuals and partners who want more out of their sexual health. It is short-term and action-based, built on comprehensive sex education, and designed to help you pursue the sex life you actually want. It is not sex therapy or mental health psychotherapy, and it is not the same as pelvic floor physical therapy, though it can complement both. Sessions are virtual and available to adults across Minnesota and Wisconsin, with no referral, diagnosis, or partner required to book. Dr. Bethany Reuter, DPT, is certified in sex counseling and provides every session one-on-one.

If the phrase sexuality coaching is new to you, you are not alone. It is a service most people have never been offered, often because sexual wellness is one of the last things anyone feels safe bringing up with a provider. This post explains exactly what sexuality coaching is, what it is not, and how to know whether it is the right fit for you.

What is sexuality coaching?

Sexuality coaching is a collaborative, shame-free, education-based service for people who want more out of their sexual health. More pleasure, more connection, more confidence, and more presence in their intimate lives. At Enhance PT, it is a short-term, action-based service that gives you a practical framework built on comprehensive sex education, so you can pursue the sex life you actually want.

The word coaching matters. This is not about diagnosing a problem and treating a disorder. It is about education, goal setting, and forward motion. You bring the goals, and I bring a structure, current and accurate sex education, and a space where none of it feels off-limits to talk about.

What can sessions explore?

Sessions are shaped around your goals, not a fixed script. That said, common themes come up again and again. Sessions may explore:

  • Desire, arousal, and pleasure
  • Intimacy after a life transition such as pregnancy, postpartum, or surgery
  • Barriers around libido or mismatched desire in relationships
  • Learning to understand the needs of yourself and of a partner
  • A framework for exploring pleasure

Some clients arrive with a specific goal, like reconnecting with a partner after a baby. Others simply want to understand their own body and desire better. Both are exactly what this space is for.

How is sexuality coaching different from sex therapy?

This is the most important distinction, so let me be direct. Sexuality coaching is not sex therapy, and it is not mental health psychotherapy. Sex therapy is delivered by a licensed mental health professional and often addresses diagnosable conditions through a clinical, treatment-based lens. Coaching is education-based and action-oriented. It does not diagnose or treat mental health conditions.

It is also different from pelvic floor physical therapy, even though I provide both. Pelvic floor PT is hands-on medical care for the muscles, nerves, and joints involved in sexual function, and it can directly treat physical causes of painful sex. Coaching is conversation and education based. Here is how the three compare:

Sexuality Coaching Sex Therapy Pelvic Floor PT
What it is Education and action-based coaching Mental health psychotherapy Hands-on physical therapy
Main focus Pleasure, education, goals Diagnosing and treating conditions Muscles, nerves, and joints
Format Conversation, virtual Clinical talk therapy In-person, hands-on
Best when You want a framework and education You need mental health treatment A physical cause needs treatment

If what you need is mental health treatment, the honest answer is that coaching is not the right tool, and I will tell you so. Part of doing this well is knowing the boundaries of the service.

Who is sexuality coaching for?

Sexuality coaching is for adults who want to feel more confident and present in their intimate lives, whether they come on their own or with a partner. You do not need a referral, a diagnosis, or a partner to book. Sessions are open to clients of all genders, orientations, and relationship structures.

It tends to be a strong fit if you have ever thought any of the following. I want to enjoy sex again after having a baby. My partner and I want our desire to feel more in sync. I want to understand my own pleasure better. Intimacy changed after a surgery or a season of life, and I want it back. None of those require a diagnosis. They require a safe, knowledgeable space and a plan.

How do virtual sessions work across Minnesota and Wisconsin?

All sexuality coaching sessions are virtual, which means you can join from anywhere private in Minnesota or Wisconsin. That includes Stillwater and the St. Croix Valley, the East Metro, Hudson, and the more rural corners of western Wisconsin where this kind of service is hard to find locally. You need a private space and an internet connection, nothing more.

Sessions are direct-pay and billed at the same rate as in-person visits. Because coaching is education-based rather than medical treatment, it can be handled differently from physical therapy for insurance and HSA or FSA purposes, so check with your plan administrator if that matters to you. You can read more about how I approach pelvic physical therapy if you suspect a physical cause is part of the picture, and you can learn more about my background and training any time.

The bottom line

Sexuality coaching is a shame-free, pleasure-focused, education-based service for individuals and partners who want more out of their sexual health. It is not sex therapy and not mental health psychotherapy, and it can stand alone or complement pelvic floor physical therapy. It is short-term, action-based, virtual across Minnesota and Wisconsin, and built entirely around your goals. If that sounds like the space you have been looking for, you can read more on the sexuality coaching page, schedule online, or call (651) 369-1196. You can also reach out through the contact page with any question first. There is no wrong way to start.

Dr. Bethany Reuter, DPT, owner of Enhance Physical Therapy in Stillwater, MN

About the Author

Dr. Bethany Reuter, DPT

Bethany is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and the owner of Enhance Physical Therapy in Stillwater, MN. She has advanced training in pelvic health, orthopedics, dry needling, visceral manipulation, and concussion rehabilitation, and treats every client one-on-one for a full 60 minutes inside River Valley Athletic Club. She serves the East Metro and St. Croix Valley in person and all of Minnesota and Wisconsin via telehealth.

Read Bethany's full story →

Frequently asked questions.

Is sexuality coaching the same as sex therapy?
No. Sex therapy is a form of mental health psychotherapy delivered by a licensed mental health professional, often to address diagnosable conditions. Sexuality coaching is education-based and action-oriented. It is not therapy or psychotherapy, and it does not diagnose or treat mental health conditions. Coaching focuses on goals, education, and a practical framework for the sex life you want.
Do I need a partner to book sexuality coaching?
No. Sessions are available for individuals or partners. You do not need a partner, a referral, or a diagnosis to book. Plenty of clients come on their own to better understand their own desire, pleasure, and needs.
Are sexuality coaching sessions virtual, and who can book?
Yes, all sexuality coaching sessions are virtual. They are open to adults across Minnesota and Wisconsin, including the St. Croix Valley, the East Metro, Hudson, and western Wisconsin. You can join from anywhere private with an internet connection.
Is sexuality coaching covered by insurance or HSA and FSA?
Sexuality coaching is a direct-pay service billed at the same rate as in-person visits. Because coaching is education-based rather than medical treatment, it may be treated differently from physical therapy for HSA, FSA, and insurance purposes. Check with your plan administrator before assuming eligibility.
What is the difference between sexuality coaching and pelvic floor physical therapy?
Pelvic floor physical therapy is hands-on medical care for the muscles, nerves, and joints involved in sexual function, and it can treat physical causes of painful sex. Sexuality coaching is conversation and education based. Some clients benefit from one, some from the other, and some from both together.

Ready to feel better?

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