For individuals and couples who are struggling with intimacy, sexual confidence, sex addiction, or emotional connection, psychosexual counselling can be a transformative experience.
Whether challenges stem from trauma, life changes, addiction, health issues, or relationship difficulties, having a safe and professional space to talk openly can be the first step toward meaningful change.
Valerie Northcote is an experienced psychosexual and couples therapist at Leone Centre. Her specialisms range from supporting couples with communication and intimacy to sex addiction and the effects of trauma with the use of EMDR therapy.
Valerie has spent over two decades supporting people through some of the most personal and sensitive areas of their lives. Her approach focuses on compassion, understanding, and helping clients feel empowered in their own healing journey.
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What Is Psychosexual Therapy?
Psychosexual therapy is a form of counselling that explores the emotional, psychological, and relational aspects of sexual wellbeing.
Rather than focusing purely on physical symptoms, it looks at how thoughts, feelings, experiences, and relationships influence intimacy.
As Valerie Northcote, psychosexual therapist at Leone Centre, explains in her own words:
“Psychosexual therapy provides individuals and couples the space to talk about issues relating to their sexual intimate relationships, not just with others but also themselves.”
Psychosexual therapy can help to build awareness, confidence, and self-acceptance over time.
Sessions are collaborative and often extend beyond the therapy room. Valerie shares:
“Sessions provide a place to talk about the issues. There is sometimes homework to be done between sessions, depending on the subject we are dealing with.”
This gentle structure supports insight and growth in everyday life, not just during sessions.
Psychosexual therapy can also be used alongside medical support where appropriate. As Valerie explains:
“We focus on the psychological issues which may be affecting the client rather than the physical reasons. If needed, we can work alongside medical support to provide additional psychological support.”
Who Can Benefit from Psychosexual and Couples Therapy?
Psychosexual counselling is not only for people in crisis. It can also benefit individuals and couples who want to strengthen emotional connection, improve communication, and develop a healthier relationship with intimacy.
As Valerie explains:
“Anybody who is struggling with any aspect of their sexual identity, behaviour or relationship can get help and support. Sometimes just having somebody who is unbiased and not part of their personal circle can be a real relief and support.”
Whether you are experiencing trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, or personal growth, Valerie’s work focuses on helping you reconnect with yourself and your partner in a way that feels authentic, respectful, and supportive.
Can Psychosexual Therapy Change a Person’s Life?
Valerie explains that
“There is so much pressure in our society to perform in a certain way that people find themselves wracked with guilt, shame and embarrassment if they do not fit society’s norms. In my therapy, I help clients to move away from this performance driven idea of sexual intimacy towards a place of pleasure.”
Valerie supports couples to work through their struggles, so they are able to find new ways to connect emotionally and physically.
“Psychosexual therapy helps people feel more confident, accepting of themselves and their partners. They create a deeper bond and this ripples out into their general relationship and their wider community…”
Therapy can support powerful transformation in a person’s life.
As Valerie puts it:
“Psychosexual therapy gives people back their spark.”
Common Reasons People Seek Psychosexual Counselling
In her work, Valerie supports clients with a wide range of concerns, including:
- Differences in sexual desire within couples
- Erectile difficulties, premature ejaculation, or delayed ejaculation
- Painful or difficult penetrative sex (including dyspareunia and vaginismus)
- The impact of pornography or compulsive sexual behaviours
- Sexual traumaSexual Trauma Experiencing sexual trauma can have profound and lasting impacts on an individual's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Psychosexual... More about this therapy, including assault, medical trauma, childbirth, or early sexual experiences
- Pregnancy, postnatal changes, and menopause
- The emotional impact on partners affected by sexual addiction or betrayal
Therapy offers a space to understand these challenges in context, reduce shame, and find healthier ways to reconnect.
Supporting Couples with Intimacy Challenges
Many individuals and couples reach out when intimacy begins to feel strained, confusing, or disconnected. These challenges can arise at any stage of life and for many different reasons.
Valerie notes:
“For a lot of couples and individuals, the frequency of and type of sexual intimacy in their relationship causes problems, especially as people age or suffer injuries.”
Changes in desire, confidence, or physical ability are very common but can create misunderstandings or emotional distance if left unspoken.
Sexual tastes and needs may also change over time:
“Sexual tastes can change over time and so therapy can allow people to identify their needs and work out how to get them met.”
Therapy offers a confidential and supportive space to discuss these differences and work together as a couple to move toward deeper understanding and connection.
Valerie Northcote’s Experience and Specialisms
Valerie began her career in youth counselling before moving into couples and psychosexual therapy. Over time, she has expanded her work to include sexual addiction and trauma-focused therapy.
“I’ve been a counsellor for 20 years and have worked with a wide range of people and issues. After becoming a sex therapist, I trained to work with individuals and couples experiencing sexual addiction, and I also trained as an EMDR Practitioner.”
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a trauma-focused therapy that helps the brain process distressing memories so they feel less overwhelming in the present.
“The EMDR training has enabled me to work with a wide range of traumatic events that get in the way of people living healthy, happy lives. This includes sexual trauma, sex addiction, relational trauma, bereavement, physical assaults, as well as childhood abuse.”
Learn more about Valerie Northcote
What to Expect During a First Session
Taking the first step into therapy can feel daunting. Valerie prioritises helping clients feel settled, informed, and supported from the very beginning.
“I like to provide clients with the opportunity to ask questions about me, what I do and how therapy works, or anything that they may have been worried about.”
Valerie reassures clients that feelings of nervousness, embarrassment, or shame are normal, and that therapy is a non-judgemental space.
“Once we’ve addressed any worries, we focus on why now, rather than what’s wrong. We explore what has brought the client to therapy at this point and what they want to get out of it. Understanding my client’s goals helps us review progress and make sure we’re working on what truly matters.”
Creating a Safe Space
For many people, feelings of embarrassment or anxiety are barriers to receiving the help that they need. Valerie is deeply aware of how difficult it can be to speak about these experiences.
“You are always in control. You do not have to talk about anything you’re not ready to talk about. It’s my job to make it as comfortable as possible.”
By allowing clients to move at their own pace and use language that feels right for them, trust can develop over time:
“My job is to hear my clients’ stories with patience and without judgement.”
Book an Appointment with Valerie Northcote
Choosing to begin psychosexual counselling or EMDR therapy is a powerful act of self-care. With Valerie Northcote, clients are met with experience, empathy, and a non-judgemental space to explore some of life’s most sensitive topics.
Valerie offers individual therapy, couples therapy, and EMDR sessions online.
- About the Author
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Co-founder and director of Leone Centre, 20+ years of experience supporting people, and offering valuable knowledge through Couples Counselling and Individual Counselling. Before becoming a therapist, I worked in the financial sector.