How to access psychological support when experiencing difficulties with your sexual health

The Psychology service at the Mortimer Market Centre provides individual, partner and group psychological therapies, as well as online digital therapy, for various sexual health related difficulties. The team consists of Clinical and Counselling Psychologists and trainee psychologists and psychosexual therapists.  The service supports people living with HIV, people at risk of sexually transmitted infections and people experiencing sexual problems.

People’s difficulties are often linked with stigma and shame that exists in society, whether around STI status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or sexual practices, in particular where these are outside what the dominant culture determines are the 'norm'.

Psychological therapy can make a significant difference to a person’s psychological wellbeing and sense of self, and yet what is often needed is a shift in perspectives, attitudes and behaviours on a societal level. Educating ourselves on sexual health related matters, challenging stigmatising and shaming views when we encounter them and allyship of people who are marginalised can all help to make a positive difference.

CNWL’s Sexual Health and HIV services provide comprehensive, compassionate and non-judgemental sexual health care to people from all parts of the community. Our clinics are staffed by highly trained and experienced multidisciplinary teams of doctors, nurses, health advisers, peer support workers, psychologists, health care support workers, health promotion workers and customer care officers. The Psychology service is available to people who use CNWL’s Sexual Health and HIV services. Read this leaflet to find out more and how to access this service.