Sexual Health Counselling

Sexual health can have a significant impact on emotional wellbeing, relationships, confidence, identity, and the way you feel about yourself and your body. Whatever you're experiencing, it can be difficult to talk about, particularly if you're carrying feelings of shame, anxiety or isolation.

I offer confidential sexual health counselling online, by telephone and in person, providing a safe, supportive and non-judgemental space where you can speak openly without fear of judgement.

Whether you're adjusting to a diagnosis such as HIV or herpes, navigating fertility challenges, experiencing intimacy or relationship difficulties, exploring issues relating to chemsex, sexual identity, or the emotional impact of sexual health concerns, counselling can help you process difficult emotions, make sense of your experiences, and develop healthier ways of coping at a pace that feels right for you.

Confidential Support for Sexual Health, Relationships, Identity & Emotional Wellbeing

Sexual health can have a profound impact on emotional wellbeing, confidence, relationships, identity and self-esteem. Experiences such as receiving a diagnosis, navigating intimacy, living with stigma, fertility challenges, questions around sexuality, or concerns about sexual behaviour can leave you feeling anxious, isolated, ashamed or unsure where to turn.

I offer confidential sexual health counselling in a safe, compassionate and non-judgemental environment. Sessions are available online, by telephone or in person, allowing you to choose the approach that feels most comfortable for you.

Whether you're adjusting to a recent diagnosis, experiencing relationship or intimacy difficulties, coping with fertility challenges, exploring issues relating to chemsex, or struggling with the emotional impact of sexual health concerns, counselling provides a space where you can talk openly without fear of judgement. Together, we can explore your experiences, process difficult emotions, and work towards greater understanding, acceptance and emotional wellbeing.

Understanding the Emotional
Impact of Sexual Health

Sexual health concerns are often deeply personal and emotionally complex. Many people experience fear, shame, anxiety, grief, loneliness, or low self-esteem alongside physical health concerns or relationship difficulties.

You may be experiencing:

Anxiety following an STI or herpes diagnosis
Shame, stigma, or fear of judgement
Relationship or intimacy difficulties
Fertility struggles or emotional distress around conception
Anxiety linked to sexual identity or relationships
Emotional impact of chemsex experiences
Low self-esteem or confidence
Loneliness or isolation
Difficulties with boundaries or self-worth
Trauma or emotional distress linked to past experiences

Therapy provides a confidential space where these experiences can be explored safely and without judgement.

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) recognises the importance of therapy in supporting emotional wellbeing, identity, relationships, and psychological health.

My Experience Working Within Sexual Health Services

Alongside my counselling and psychotherapy work, I have extensive professional experience working within sexual health clinics, HIV services, and community healthcare settings.

This work has involved supporting people from diverse backgrounds facing a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges linked to sexual health, relationships, identity, stigma, and wellbeing.

My experience includes working with:

Individuals adjusting to herpes and STI diagnoses
People affected by HIV and sexual health-related anxiety
Commercial sex workers requiring non-judgemental emotional support
Individuals navigating chemsex-related experiences and their emotional impact
People experiencing fertility-related stress, grief, and emotional strain
LGBTQ+ individuals and diverse sexual communities
Clients facing shame, rejection, isolation, or relationship difficulties linked to sexual health concerns

Working within these environments has given me a deep understanding of how sexual health intersects with emotional wellbeing, identity, trauma, relationships, and self-esteem.

I understand how difficult it can be to talk openly about these experiences. Therapy offers a compassionate and confidential space where you can feel safe enough to explore what you are going through honestly and without fear of judgement.

How Sexual Health Counselling Can Help

As an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist, I tailor counselling to your individual experiences, circumstances and emotional needs. Together, we'll work at a pace that feels right for you, creating a safe and supportive space to explore whatever has brought you to counselling.

Counselling may help you to:

Process the emotional impact of a diagnosis
Reduce feelings of shame, anxiety or self-blame
Build confidence and self-acceptance
Explore relationship and intimacy difficulties
Better understand the connection between your thoughts, emotions and behaviours
Navigate fertility-related grief, loss or uncertainty
Explore the emotional impact of chemsex or sexual behaviours
Develop healthier boundaries and strengthen self-worth
Feel more emotionally grounded, resilient and supported

Many people tell me that simply having a confidential space where they can speak openly, without fear of judgement, is a significant relief. You don't have to carry these experiences on your own.

Counselling can help you make sense of what you're going through and support you in moving forward with greater confidence, self-compassion and emotional wellbeing.

Choose the Type of Support That Works for You

Talking about sexual health can feel difficult, which is why I offer counselling online, by telephone and in person. Together, we can choose the approach that feels most comfortable, private and supportive for you.

Whether you prefer the convenience of attending sessions from home, the simplicity of telephone counselling, or the dedicated space of face-to-face therapy, you'll receive the same confidential, compassionate and professional support.

Depending on the type of counselling you choose, the benefits may include:

A choice of online, telephone or in-person appointments
Flexible sessions around work, family and other commitments
No travel required for online or telephone appointments
A calm, private therapy room for face-to-face sessions
Confidential one-to-one support in a safe and non-judgemental environment

Professional organisations, including the BACP, recognise online counselling as an effective and accessible form of therapy. Whatever format you choose, counselling offers a confidential space where you can speak openly, without fear of judgement, and receive compassionate support for whatever you're experiencing.

A Safe, Compassionate & Non-Judgemental Space

I’m Paul Madden, a BACP-accredited counsellor and psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience across counselling, healthcare, sexual health services, HIV care, bereavement support, and emotionally complex care settings.

My approach is warm, inclusive, and non-judgemental. I believe therapy should be a space where you feel safe enough to talk openly about experiences that may feel difficult, sensitive, or emotionally overwhelming.

All counselling is confidential and delivered within the BACP Ethical Framework.

You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone

Sexual health concerns can often feel isolating, particularly when accompanied by shame, fear, or emotional distress. Reaching out for support can help you feel less alone and begin making sense of what you are experiencing.

If you are looking for confidential, compassionate counselling around sexual health, relationships, fertility, identity, or emotional wellbeing, I invite you to get in touch.

Book a Free Introductory Call

A free, no-obligation call can give you the opportunity to ask questions, talk briefly about what’s been happening, and see whether counselling feels right for you.

Start Your Grief Support Journey Today

Book Your Consultation Here