5 Best Oakland Sex Therapists
Sexual issues can feel both deeply personal and painfully isolating. If you’re struggling with challenges related to desire, trust, intimacy, or sexual behaviors that feel out of control, know that you’re not alone (even if it feels like it) and that therapy can help.
At California Couples Counseling, we offer compassionate, professional virtual therapy in Oakland and across California. Here, we’ll introduce you to our experienced sex therapist and share some other local resources so you can find the right support for your situation.
Jump to a therapist
Best for sex therapy for sex addiction: Tammie Makely
Best for in-person sex therapy in Oakland: Julia Simone Fogelson
Best for sex therapy for BIPOC & immigrants: Melika Biglarpour-Watson
Best for those seeking a male sex therapist: Jim Conwell
Best for sex therapy for pregnancy & postpartum: Mikaela A Wapman
Meet our Oakland sex therapy specialist
Tammie Makely, LMFT
Best for sex therapy for sex addiction
Tammie brings specialized training in sexual addiction recovery and uses EMDR to address underlying trauma that often fuels compulsive sexual behaviors. She creates a safe, non-judgmental space where both individuals and couples can work through betrayal, rebuild trust, and develop healthier patterns of intimacy.
Credentials: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Anger Management Specialist
Location: Virtual
Virtual therapy?: Yes, across California
Other highly recommended Oakland, CA sex therapists
We know that choosing a sex therapist is a highly personal decision. In case our practice isn’t the right fit for your needs, we’ve curated a list of other highly recommended sex therapists in Oakland so you still have access to supportive, affirming care.
Julia Simone Fogelson
Best for in-person sex therapy in Oakland
While virtual care is highly effective—and even preferred by many people—others may want to go see a therapist in-person. If you’re specifically looking for in-person therapy, Julia’s practice may be a good fit. She is an AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist who approaches therapy with a gender-affirming, poly-friendly, and kink-knowledgeable lens, offering care both in-person and online.
Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Sex Therapist
Location: Oakland, CA 94611
Virtual therapy?: Yes, in addition to in-person
Melika Biglarpour-Watson
Best for sex therapy for BIPOC & immigrants
While California Couples Counseling welcomes people of all identities and cultures, some people may specifically want a sex therapist who shares their lived multicultural experience. If that’s the case for you, Melika’s practice may be a good fit. She specializes in sex therapy and has navigated the immigration experience firsthand as an Iranian-American. Her practice is also LGBTQIA2S+- and ethical non-monogamy-affirming.
Credentials: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Location: Virtual
Virtual therapy?: Yes, across California
Jim Conwell
Best for those seeking a male sex therapist
Choosing a sex therapist is highly personal, and some people may feel more comfortable working with a male clinician. If so, consider Jim’s practice. He’s a seasoned therapist who specializes in helping people, particularly men, with issues related to sexuality and intimacy.
Credentials: Marriage and Family Therapist
Location: Oakland, CA 94618
Virtual therapy?: Yes, in addition to in-person
Mikaela A Wapman
Best for sex therapy for pregnancy & postpartum
Navigating pregnancy and postpartum can be challenging enough, and the sexual and intimacy issues that can arise during these times must be treated with extra intention and care. That’s where Mikaela’s practice comes in. They specialize in sex therapy, particularly for queer and polyamorous people, and those navigating fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting. Consider their practice if you’re looking for a therapist with expertise in these areas.
Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Sex Therapist
Location: Oakland, CA 94601
Virtual therapy?: Yes, in addition to in-person
How to choose the right sex therapist for you
Finding the right sex therapist is about more than availability—it’s about feeling safe, understood, and supported.
When exploring your options, consider the following:
Relevant expertise: Look for therapists with specific training in sex therapy and experience with your concerns.
Therapeutic approach: Does their style feel structured, exploratory, trauma-informed, or skills-based—and does that match what you’re looking for?
Values alignment: Especially important if you’re navigating identity, culture, religion, or relationship structure.
Comfort and rapport: You should feel respected, not rushed or judged.
Logistics: Location, virtual options, cost, and scheduling all matter for consistency.
The right therapist helps you feel both challenged and supported so you don’t have to navigate this alone. If you’re not sure whether our practice is right for you, contact us for a free consultation so we can speak directly.
What sets our practice apart from other Oakland sex therapy providers
Starting sex therapy can feel intimidating, which is why we've built our practice around creating a truly safe, supportive environment for this deeply personal work. Here’s what makes California Couples Counseling different:
Specialized couples therapy expertise. All our therapists are trained specifically in working with relationship dynamics.
Evidence-based approaches. We utilize the research-backed Gottman Method alongside other proven modalities like EMDR and CBT.
Trauma-informed care. We recognize that sexual concerns often have roots in past experiences and address these with sensitivity and expertise.
Flexible virtual access. Meet with your therapist from the comfort and privacy of your own home anywhere in California.
Integrated perspective. We address sexual concerns within the broader context of your relationship, communication patterns, and emotional connection.
Judgment-free environment. We create space where all concerns, desires, and struggles can be explored without shame
Whether you're in Oakland, across the Bay, or anywhere in California, we're here to support your journey toward greater sexual health and relationships.
Common reasons why people seek sex therapy
Feeling disconnected or distant from a partner
Mismatched desire or libido differences
Compulsive or out-of-control sexual behaviors
Shame or guilt around sex
Healing after betrayal or infidelity
Difficulty with arousal, pleasure, or performance anxiety
Navigating sexual identity or preferences
Rebuilding intimacy after trauma or major life changes
FAQs about sex therapy
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Sex therapy sessions are conversations about your sexual health, experiences, and relationships. There is no touch involved in sex therapy. You and your therapist will discuss your concerns in a supportive, confidential setting, and together, you’ll come to better understand the factors influencing your sex life and learn practical tools for reaching your goals.
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If sexual concerns are causing distress, conflict, or disconnection in your relationship—or affecting your self-esteem and well-being—sex therapy can help. This includes ongoing disagreements about sex, avoidance of intimacy, unresolved past trauma, compulsive sexual behaviors, or simply wanting to deepen your sexual connection.
You don’t need to wait until things reach a breaking point to seek therapy. If you’re not sure whether therapy is right for you, contact us for a free consultation so we can offer our professional recommendation.
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Both. Sex therapy can be helpful for individuals exploring personal concerns, behaviors, or identity, as well as couples working through intimacy issues, desire differences, or breaches of trust. Your therapist will tailor the work to your situation.
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It depends—coverage varies by plan. California Couples Counseling is an out-of-network provider, meaning we don’t bill insurance directly. However, we can provide you with a superbill for potential out-of-network reimbursement from your insurance company. We recommend contacting your insurance provider to understand your specific benefits.