The Sexual Wellness Sessions

Why is sexual communication one of the key ingredients of our sex lives, but yet is one of the hardest things for us to do? Very few of us feel well set up or equipped to talk about sex comfortably, and so in this episode Vanessa and Xander Marin New York Times Best Selling authors of  Sex Talks: The Five Conversations That Will Transform Your Love Life and hosts of  Pillow Talks podcast, unpack the specifics and mechanics of how to talk about sex, covering the five conversational steps from their book  - acknowledgement, connection, desire, pleasure and exploration. Vanessa is a sex therapist with 20 years of experience and has been featured thousands of times in major publications, and Xander describes himself as a regular dude. As a couple they share the ups and downs in their relationship, while giving you step-by-step techniques for improving yours. Follow them on Instagram @vanessaandxander --- This episode is sponsored by Roam, a brand changing the game when it comes to sexual wellness by creating inclusive, skincare inspired sex care that is good for you and good for the planet. With a selection of lubes designed for different explorations, from front and back lube to masturbation cream and massage oil. Condoms that contain 40% less packaging than traditional condoms and a selection of discreet, rechargeable toys to guarantee a better solo experience.  Roam believes that everyone should feel confident and comfortable having sex. By breaking down taboos and challenging stigmas around sex, Roam is here to make the world a more sex-positive place and make everyone feel seen. Get 20% off with Code SESSIONS20 at exploreroam.com Follow Roam on Instagram @exploreroam --- The Sexual Wellness Sessions is hosted by Kate Moyle, a Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist, and author of The Science Of Sex : Every Question About Your Sex Life Answered.   Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

The practice of manifesting has gained a lot of attention over the last few years, and so for this final episode of series three I wanted to understand how manifesting can show up in our dating lives, relationships and sex lives. Defined as the practice of thinking aspirational thoughts with the purpose of making them real, I see a lot of cross over with my work as a therapist. Both practices are about helping people to remove barriers and self-doubt, build confidence and helping people to get to where they want to be, whatever that looks like for them.   Not knowing much about manifesting apart from what I have learnt through Roxie Nafousi and her book MANIFEST: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life, made her the perfect guest for this conversation. Roxie has been named "The Manifesting Queen" by Forbes, and "The A-Lists favourite manifestor" by The Sunday Times Style Magazine.   •••   Roxie Nafousi is a self-development coach, the author of Sunday Times Bestseller, MANIFEST: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life, and Manifest: Dive Deeper which is now available for pre-order for release in January 2023. Roxie is also an ambassador for the Mental Health Foundation, hosts the popular podcast series called "The Moments That Made Me", and is the creator of "The Journal" a powerful 12 week self-love and empowerment programme in collaboration with The Head Plan.    Roxie's commitment to transforming the lives of people who suffer with emotional and mental health issues and helping them to fulfil their potential has seen her become a renowned and respected figure in the wellness world.    Instagram @roxienafousi     https://www.roxienafousi.com/   Pre-Order Manifest : Dive Deeper here    •••   Today's conversation was brought to you by Hanx, who offer trusted contraception and intimate health treatments - without the stigma. Set up by best friends Sarah and Farah, Hanx offers natural, sustainable, sexual wellness essentials such as condoms and lubricants that are free from unecessary chemicals that can lead to UTIs and yeast infections. Hanx believe it's time the world stopped being weird about our sex lives, and that starts with tackling taboos around sexual health and they champion a no-blushes approach about everything from your vaginal pH to how to have *that* contraception conversation.   HANX is offering listeners 20% off the Bestseller Bundle, which brings together: -10 Pack of HANX Condoms in Standard or Large size. Ultra-thin, ultra-sensitive, vegan, biodegradable and no nasties.  -HANX super-gentle, water-based Lubricant. It's safe to use with condoms and sex toys, for pre-and post partum sex and for those experiencing menopausal dryness. Plus: it's proudly unflavoured with no thrush-inducing glycerine and  - An organic cotton Subtle Pouch which is perfectly sized to fit a pack of HANX and a Lubricant, plus any other bedroom essentials. - Just add to basket and use code SWS20 at hanxofficial.com Instagram @HanxOfficial  •••   The Sexual Wellness Sessions is hosted by Kate Moyle, a Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist. Kate believes that so much of what needs normalising when it comes to sex and relationships can be changed through conversation; and this is why the podcast is focused around the idea of hosting informal but informative conversations.   Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

Despite being a condition which impacts one in five hundred women Vaginismus is a rarely discussed and often misunderstood sexual dysfunction. It's characterised by the involuntary contraction of the muscles around the vagina which can make penetration painful, difficult and often impossible. There are unlimited reasons for why someone might be struggling with this condition, and equally many ways that it may show up for them in terms of challenges with sex, relationships, dating, body confidence and self-esteem. Even though it's so common there are very few resources available which makes it difficult for people to know where to turn for information and advice.   •••   This is where my guests for today come in as The Vaginismus Network is one of the only platforms with advice from both peers and experts. Kat is one of the co-founders, and Rosie is a volunteer who both feel really passionately about this topic as they have Vaginismus themselves. Connecting over their shared experience and feelings, co-founders Kat and Lisa decided to give others what they both felt that they were missing - a way to connect, talk and get advice on a condition that was missing from the mainstream. The Vaginismus Network hosts online and in-person events, offers a matching service to connect people, and has blogs and advice on everything from smear tests,  to vaginismus and pregnancy, dilator training and personal accounts of Vaginismus.   Instagram @thevagnetwork    Rosie @vaginismuswho    https://www.thevaginismusnetwork.com/   ••• In this conversation the topic of pleasure is central to both Kat and Rosie's stories about them managing their vaginismus and building a more positive relationship with their bodies. This is something that is also a huge part of today's sponsor Lelo's ethos and pleasure products; and for this episode they've prepared a special promotion just for you. Listen to our discussion, and use the unique code KATELELO at lelo.to/KATEXLELO to shop their entire pleasure toy range at a discount. Follow Lelo at @Lelo_official     •••   The Sexual Wellness Sessions is hosted by Kate Moyle, a Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist. Kate believes that so much of what needs normalising when it comes to sex and relationships can be changed through conversation; and this is why the podcast is focused around the idea of hosting informal but informative conversations.   Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

Love is a huge part of our humanity, and for many of us it plays a big part in how we engage with the world whether it's the love we have for a romantic or sexual partner, familial or friendship love, or the love that we have for ourselves. Our social context has changed so much across the centuries which has impacted how we love and how we think about love. So with all these changes to the world and how we live, has the role of love in our lives changed? Have we adapted love to fit our new environments or are we at a crossroads between the two? ••• There couldn't be a better guest for me to ask these questions of than Evolutionary Anthropologist and author of Why We Love: The New Science Behind our Closest Relationships, Dr Anna Machin. Anna in her own words studies the very nature of being human. Her research, the majority of which has been carried out at the University of Oxford, focuses on the science and anthropology behind our closest relationships, with lovers, friends and family, pets, gods and celebrities.  She is a broadcaster and author of two books: The Life of Dad: The Making of the Modern Father (2018) and Why We Love: The New Science Behind our Closest Relationships (2022)  •••   The Sexual Wellness Sessions is hosted by Kate Moyle, a Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist. Kate believes that so much of what needs normalising when it comes to sex and relationships can be changed through conversation; and this is why the podcast is focused around the idea of hosting informal but informative conversations.   Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

Anxiety can show up in every area of our lives, and sometimes with what feels like no logical explanation or reason. One of the hardest things can also be not knowing how to communicate or explain to a partner about how we are feeling, particularly if from the outside it looks like nothing has changed. Performance anxiety can show up for us in situations both old and new, and anxiety in other areas of our life can leak into our intimate lives. This has the potential to disrupt the relationship status quo and our ability to be intimate, vulnerable or sexual with one another; or if we are single can get in the way of us meeting someone or dating. So we can see that this is a bidirectional relationship where sex and relationships may cause anxiety, and anxiety may impact our sex lives and relationships.    One of our most natural ways to deal with anxiety is avoidance, but this is polarised with our desire for closeness or intimacy in relationships which can create both inner and outer conflict as we battle between the two. This can present as a wide variety of thoughts, feelings and behaviour which can feel really confusing for both us as individuals, and any partners that we may have.   •••   My guest for this episode is one of my favourite authors, therapists and podcasters who like me is really passionate about taking therapy out of the therapy room. Anna Mathur hosts the podcast The Therapy Edit which has an astounding nearly 1 million downloads, she has authored two books which both went straight into the top 10 of The Sunday Times bestsellers list - Mind Over Mother: Every Mum's Guide to Worry and Anxiety in the First Years and Know Your Worth & her latest book that's just out is The Little Book of Calm for New Mums .    https://www.annamathur.com/   Instagram @AnnaMathur    •••   This episode was sponsored by Love Sleep by This Works.  This Works understand the connection between sex, sleep and well-being and as experts in the field of sleep and circadian rhythms. They have developed the Love Sleep range, a series of bedroom solutions with a 100% natural Superblend with Ylang Ylang and Patchouli, designed to enhance levels of relaxation in your evening space and promote intimacy – the antidote to digital hyper connectivity and over stimulation, paving the way for better sleep and better relationships.    After using the Love Sleep Pillow Spray 1 in 3 users had more intimate moments. Find Out More At https://www.thisworks.com/products/love-sleep-pillow-spray Instagram @ThisWorks      •••   The Sexual Wellness Sessions is hosted by Kate Moyle, a Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist. Kate believes that so much of what needs normalising when it comes to sex and relationships can be changed through conversation; and this is why the podcast is focused around the idea of hosting informal but informative conversations.   Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

Sexual experiences involve the participation of both our bodies and our minds; and so the relationship that we have with our bodies and how we think and feel about them can hugely influence our experience of sex. Body confidence is something that comes up a huge amount in the therapy room for both men and women. Whilst it may not be explicitly obvious that it's why we are struggling with sex and intimacy; challenges with body confidence and negative thoughts about our bodies can distract and disconnect us from these experiences. This can then further inhibit desire, arousal and someone's experience of pleasure.   My guest for this episode is someone who has been through real highs and lows with the relationship with her body, and speaks honestly about how that's had a ripple effect into different areas of her life and wellbeing. Lauren Black is a body confidence and fashion influencer and founder of a new brand called Love Glow Heal. I wanted to have this conversation with Lauren as she has been very public about the fact that she has been in anorexia recovery since June 2020, and she has documented her whole recovery journey online. She's been featured on BBC Radio 1, ITV, GMB and 5LIVE and was interviewed on the BBC documentary The Instagram Effect.   Instagram @imlaurenblack   Love Glow Heal @loveglowheal   •••   This episode focuses on building a healthy and loving relationship with ourselves, learning to love our bodies, and building confidence along the way. And I couldn't have picked a better guest than Lauren Black, whose story is packed with helpful relationship advice and tips on developing strong confidence while staying true to yourself. The award-winning pleasure brand LELO is the sponsor of this episode, with a special treat for all listeners. Use the code KATELELO at lelo.to/KATEMOYLE to pick a luxurious sexy toy and get a gift with every purchase     •••   The Sexual Wellness Sessions is hosted by Kate Moyle, a Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist. Kate believes that so much of what needs normalising when it comes to sex and relationships can be changed through conversation; and this is why the podcast is focused around the idea of hosting informal but informative conversations.   Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

Break ups are one of the inevitable risks of starting a relationship, and something that most of us will go through in one shape or another during our lifetimes. Break ups are also regularly the theme of stories on our screens, stages, books and in our music and in many ways we are obsessed with love stories and their endings. There are also so many questions around break ups that we don't have the answers to.    Is there a 'good' way to break up? Can we ever be friends with an ex? Can it ever be a good idea to go back?  And how do we get over someone?   So for this conversation I invited my friend and colleague relational psychotherapist Charlotte Fox Weber to talk all about break ups, what happens to us psychologically, how we cope and what it teaches us about life and love.   •••   Charlotte Fox Weber is a relational psychotherapist and writer with a particular interest in desire and our hidden wants. Her book What We Want is coming out this summer (available for pre-orders now) https://geni.us/whatwewant . She founded and headed The School of Life psychotherapy service, and is the co-founder of Examined Life, a therapy collective.   https://charlottefoxweber.com/   Instagram @charlottefoxweberpsychotherapy     ••• This episode was brought to you by Quanna, a CBD company championing sexual wellness as a means to heal and live more fulfilling lives.  Tired of awkward intimate products with nasty ingredients that aggravate your most sensitive areas and uncomfortable intimate moments that leave you underwhelmed? Quanna's Oomf lubricant has a formula that values clean ingredients without harmful additives, it is prebiotic enriched to help maintain the healthy microflora of the intimate areas and keep infections at bay. Oomf also garners the powerful healing properties of CBD to ease discomfort via pelvic relaxation and increase pleasure sensation to reach your peak. Quanna aim to turn taboo into empowerment and deliver and all natural and honest product range that you deserve. To learn more and browse, visit their website https://www.byquanna.com or follow them on Instagram @By.Quanna   Want to try for yourself, use the code: "KATEOOMF" to get 20% off all products.   •••   The Sexual Wellness Sessions is hosted by Kate Moyle, a Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist. Kate believes that so much of what needs normalising when it comes to sex and relationships can be changed through conversation; and this is why the podcast is focused around the idea of hosting informal but informative conversations.   Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

Whenever I discuss what I do as a job there is much curiosity about what happens behind the door of the therapy room. This is why I really wanted to host a conversation with someone who knows what that's like from the other perspective, as the client. This is because as much as I can talk about therapy from the position of the therapist, it will never give a full view of what the experience of psychosexual therapy is really like.  So my guest for this episode is author of the column Conversations With My Sex Therapist Emma-Louise Boynton. Since going through the experience of psychosexual therapy, and immersing herself in the sexual wellness world, she now hosts the brilliant monthly event series and podcast called Sex Talks at the The London Edition Hotel focused on opening up more honest conversations around sex, desire and the female pleasure taboo. She recently launched female healthcare company Daye's first podcast - Talking Taboos with Daye and is a founding editor at The Stack World. https://www.emmalouiseboynton.com/ Instagram @emmalouiseboynton  •••       This episode is sponsored by iPlaySafe, the new app that is removing the 'ick' from sharing STI test results with potential partners.  Download the free medically-approved app to order your home STI testing kit. Your result will be sent directly to your app verifying your sexual health status, it's then up to you when, with whom, and whether you share it.  The free app also gives you access to articles, podcasts and sexual education content. Join the iPlaySafe community today!    https://www.iplaysafe.app/ Instagram  @iplaysafeapp   •••   The Sexual Wellness Sessions is hosted by Kate Moyle, a Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist. Kate believes that so much of what needs normalising when it comes to sex and relationships can be changed through conversation; and this is why the podcast is focused around the idea of hosting informal but informative conversations.   Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

The idea of 'the talk' is something that fills many parents and caregivers with anxiety. The worry about what to say, how to answer questions and getting it right can feel pretty daunting. Paired with the fact that many of us didn't have a perfect version of 'the birds and the bees' chat ourselves means that we don't feel set up to know how to talk to our kids about sex and relationships.    This is why my guest today is the brilliant sex educator Sarah Sproule, who makes it her mission to ensure every parent and caring adult knows how to build deeper connection with their growing kid(s). Sarah has two decades experience as a therapist and a masters in sexuality studies, and is a mother of three teens.   Instagram @Iamsarahsproule   www.sarahsproule.com     •••   This important episode with Sarah was supported by my friends at Lelo who have sponsored this episode. Lelo are leaders in the sexual wellness space, promoting the breaking down of stigmas and helping to empower people to start difficult but important conversations like in this episode. Tune in, and afterwards, use the code KATELELO at lelo.to/KATE, treat yourself to a new pleasure device, and get a gift with your purchase. Make sure to follow @lelo_official for a daily dose of sexual wellness inspiration.   https://www.lelo.com/   •••     The Sexual Wellness Sessions is hosted by Kate Moyle, a Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist. Kate believes that so much of what needs normalising when it comes to sex and relationships can be changed through conversation; and this is why the podcast is focused around the idea of hosting informal but informative conversations.   Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy   •••

Shame is a feeling that often comes paired with sex, and is an emotion that as a therapist I regularly hear people describe that sex makes them feel. This is why I really wanted to host a conversation around the relationship between sex and shame, where we think it comes from and what we think is maintaining it. Sex is so much more than just the act of what we are doing, and it holds meaning for us which is why when we view what we are doing sexually as shameful, or feel shame around our sexual lives, that it can start to impact us in other ways such as self confidence, self-esteem and relationships. My guest for this conversation is the brilliant Natalie Lee aka StyleMeSunday who has just authored her memoir and manifesto on sexual shame Feeling Myself  https://www.waterstones.com/book/feeling-myself/natalie-lee/9781785043864 . The book is incredibly honest, something that Natalie and I discuss as going up against shame and challenging the feeling that it should keep us silent. Natalie digs deep into her relationship with sex and shame, and talks about how when she realised how much it was holding her back, that she then started to get curious and explore the process of freeing herself from some of that shame. Natalie began her career as a midwife before starting her blog, Style Me Sunday, in July 2012. Over nearly a decade, she has grown her platform from a blog to a brand, and now reaches women across various different mediums. Instagram @StyleMeSunday  Natalie's Book Feeling Myself  https://www.waterstones.com/book/feeling-myself/natalie-lee/9781785043864   •••   This episode was brought to you by Ferly, the sexual wellness app empowering women and non-binary folk to overcome sexual challenges affecting their relationships. To date they've helped over 200,000 women struggling with things like, low libido, inability to orgasm, low body confidence and/or pain during sex. Ferly's achieved this by guiding women through science-based tools and techniques that help them feel better in their bodies and their beds.    The app is available on IOS and Android. download it for free today and start your journey to a healthier, more confident and more pleasurable life. I have the privilege of working with Ferly as their resident advisor and I truly believe that the app has the ability to be transformative for female sexual wellness.   https://weareferly.com/ Instagram  @weareferly      •••     The Sexual Wellness Sessions is hosted by Kate Moyle, a Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist. Kate believes that so much of what needs normalising when it comes to sex and relationships can be changed through conversation; and this is why the podcast is focused around the idea of hosting informal but informative conversations.   Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy   •••

Our sex lives are subject to many gendered messages and narratives which shape how we think that our sex lives 'should' look. Engrained messages about masculinity, manhood and how men should act in sexual situations can influence sex lives both consciously and unconsciously, in what today's guest Cam Fraser describes as the idea of 'Man Box Culture'.   Cam and I unpack some of the myths of masculinity and sex that are impacting men.  We also talk about how the language that we use can be influential and how opening up our definitions of sex and sexuality can be helpful for everyone.   •••   Cam Fraser is a Certified Professional Sex Coach, Certified Sexologist, Registered Counselor, and Registered Tantric Yoga Teacher. His work integrates scientifically validated, medically accurate information about sexual health, with sacred sexuality teachings from the mystery traditions. As a coach, he helps men go beyond surface-level sex and into full-bodied, self-expressed, pleasure-oriented sexual experiences free of anxiety or shame.   https://www.cam-fraser.com/   Instagram @thecamfraser   •••   This episode is sponsored by iPlaySafe, the new app that is removing the 'ick' from sharing STI test results with potential partners.  Download the free medically-approved app to order your home STI testing kit. Your result will be sent directly to your app verifying your sexual health status, it's then up to you when, with whom, and whether you share it.  The free app also gives you access to articles, podcasts and sexual education content. Join the iPlaySafe community today!    https://www.iplaysafe.app/ Instagram  @iplaysafeapp   •••   The Sexual Wellness Sessions is hosted by Kate Moyle, a Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist. Kate believes that so much of what needs normalising when it comes to sex and relationships can be changed through conversation; and this is why the podcast is focused around the idea of hosting informal but informative conversations.   Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

Induced menopause refers to when menopause happens after surgical removal of the ovaries, radiation or chemotherapy damage to the ovaries, or from the use of other medications to intentionally induce menopause as part of the treatment of certain diseases. The main difference to the process of natural menopause is that there is a rapid onset of symptoms rather than the gradual onset that occurs with natural menopause. It's also often happening at the same time as diagnosis, treatment or management of certain health conditions or diseases which can't be ignored as a part of someone's experience.   My guests for this episode are the brilliant and incredible knowledgable Dr Hannah Short & Dr Liz O'Riordan; both who not only have extensive professional experience in this area but have personally experienced induced menopause.   ••   Liz O'Riordan is an international speaker, broadcaster and award-winning co-author of 'The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer: How to Feel Empowered and Take Control'. In 2015 (aged 40) she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer whilst working as a Consultant Breast Surgeon. In 2018 she had a locoregional recurrence on her chest wall. The side effects of treatment for this meant she had to retire as a surgeon in 2019.   During chemotherapy she started an award-winning blog about her experiences (www.liz.oriordan.co.uk) and now talks all over the world about how to improve patient care. In 2020 she launched her podcast – Don't Ignore The Elephant – that talks about the things no-one else does, like sex, death and body image.   Instagram - @oriordanliz    Dr Hannah Short is a GP and an accredited specialist in Menopause and Premenstrual Disorders, recognised by the British Menopause Society (BMS), The International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD) and The National Association for Premenstrual Syndromes (NAPS).  Hannah has a particular interest in induced (medical and surgical) menopause, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and hormone sensitivity disorders. She is a member of the IAPMD Clinical Advisory Board and the Surgical Menopause Advisory Committee, and has previously worked as a volunteer doctor for The Daisy Network (a charity dedicated to girls and women diagnosed with POI). Hannah also has personal experience of premature surgical menopause, having undergone a hysterectomy and ovary removal at the age of 35. This drives her passion and informs her work. She is the co-author of “The Complete Guide to POI and Early Menopause”, due for publication in June 2022.   https://drhannahshort.co.uk/   ••   Join us for a special episode dedicated to International Masturbation Month! Or, as some may call it - May. For this occasion, powered by the leading makers of award-winning luxury sex toys at LELO, we have a naughty surprise for you. Tune in, pick yourself a new pleasure device and get a special gift with every purchase using the code KATELELO at  lelo.to/LELOxKATE Don't forget to follow @lelo_official for a daily dose of sexual wellness inspiration.     ••   The Sexual Wellness Sessions is hosted by Kate Moyle, a Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist. Kate believes that so much of what needs normalising when it comes to sex and relationships can be changed through conversation; and this is why the podcast is focused around the idea of hosting informal but informative conversations.    Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

Kicking off series three is a conversation with the absolutely brilliant Eleanor Tattersfield @marbyandelm who has been collecting the UK's sex secrets. Anonymously sent to her on postcards this collection of cards are absolutely stunning, and they really do have a story to tell in terms of what's going on in our sex lives and how we think and feel about sex.   I talk to Eleanor about how I think the postcards are a form of sex education; and are opening up our narratives about what we find erotic, desirable, pleasurable and what turns us on. The series also breaks down the idea that there are limited ways that we can express ourselves sexually, and encourages us to think about our definitions and ideas about sex.    •••     Marby & Elm is a little stationery shop on Exmouth Market in Clerkenwell. After the success of Lockdown Secrets ( https://www.marbyandelm.com/store/products,lockdown-secrets-book_647.htm ) Eleanor decided to launch the series Sex Secrets in a hope to prove that in fact we all pretty much share them and are far from alone.     Instagram @marbyandelm https://www.instagram.com/marbyandelm TikTok @marby_and_elm   •••   This episode is sponsored by iPlaySafe, the new app that is removing the 'ick' from sharing STI test results with potential partners.  Download the free medically-approved app to order your home STI testing kit. Your result will be sent directly to your app verifying your sexual health status, it's then up to you when, with whom, and whether you share it.  The free app also gives you access to articles, podcasts and sexual education content. Join the iPlaySafe community today!    https://www.iplaysafe.app/ Instagram  @iplaysafeapp   •••   The Sexual Wellness Sessions is hosted by Kate Moyle, a Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist. Kate believes that so much of what needs normalising when it comes to sex and relationships can be changed through conversation; and this is why the podcast is focused around the idea of hosting informal but informative conversations.   Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

In this final episode of the second series of The Sexual Wellness Sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're discussing the future of sex. My guest Bryony Cole and I talk about the biggest changes and trends that we have seen impacting our sex lives recently, and where we think the future of sex is heading.   Undoubtably there has been an enormous shift in our sex lives and accessibility to information since the dawn of the internet; and we see that smart phones in particular have played a huge part in changing how we find and meet partners, stay in relationships, and break up. In our conversation Bryony and I talk about the pros and cons of the impact of tech on our lives, the changes to sexual healthcare and solutions; and how sex tech, trends and developments can not just change how we have sex now, but can influence narratives, messages and education going forward.    Bryony Cole is the world's leading authority on sextech, and she's fascinated by the way technology permeates every corner of our lives, even the most intimate ones. She is the creator and host of the Future of Sex podcast, founder of Sextech School and Lovehoney's resident sextech advisor. Since launching the top-rated podcast Future of Sex, Bryony has been on stages across the world forecasting trends in the sextech industry for governments, tech titans and entertainment companies, including SXSW, PEN World Voices Festival, Skolkovo Foundation and Founders Forum. Bryony recently launched Sextech School, a course for entrepreneurs looking to get started in sextech. This episode was brought to you by Lelo the luxury sex toy brand combining luxury, pleasure and innovation to create sex toys for both solo and couple pleasure; and I am very proud to work with Lelo as their UK Sex Expert, and you can use the code KMLELO15 until the end of 2021 to get 15% off your order at https://www.lelo.com/    @lelo_official Kate Moyle is Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist, who is passionate about having open and normalising conversations around sex and relationships; and helping people to get to a place of sexual health, happiness and wellbeing.  Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness Sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're discussing the topic of sexual trauma and the impact that it can have on someone's life. My guest Silva Neves is a Psychotherapist specialising in Trauma, EMDR, and Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy; and he has an enormous amount of experience working with those who have been through trauma and sexual trauma experiences.    In our discussion we talk through how trauma and sexual trauma are defined, common ways that it can manifest whilst acknowledging that everyone is different, and ways in which people can start to move through and process what has happened to them and the aftermath. With a focus on sex lives and relationships Silva discusses how couples can manage if one or both partners have experienced sexual trauma, how to communicate about triggers and ways of managing situations and boundaries; and working together to build trust, intimacy and a sex life and relationship that works for them.    Silva Neves is a COSRT-accredited and UKCP-registered psychotherapist and supervisor, author, and provider of clinical trainings internationally on the topics of sex, relationships, trauma and grief. For 11 years he has specialised in psychosexual & relationship therapy, couples therapy and the treatment of compulsive sexual behaviours. He is also a trauma psychotherapist experienced in working with survivors of sexual abuse, sexual trauma, sexual and romantic affairs, and compulsive sexual behaviours. Silva is the author of Compulsive Sexual Behaviours, A Psycho-Sexual Treatment Guide for Clinicians (2021, Routledge) and he featured in the BBC programme Sex On The Couch.   @silvanevespsychotherapy   https://www.silvaneves.co.uk/   www.sexpositivityUK.com   Today's episode was brought to you by Blueheart, the easy to use, expert-designed app for couples who are experiencing difficulties with libido - this is one of the most common sexual challenges that couples come up against. Blueheart are challenging the taboo around the subject by making getting help and advice more accessible. Blueheart is removing some of the barriers to make sex therapy possible for everyone, they offer expert-led therapeutic techniques, activities education and guided conversations, all from the app so that you can prioritise your relationship and sexual wellbeing in a way that works for you at your own pace. The Blueheart app is available to download now on Android and iPhone https://www.blueheart.io/   @blueheart_app Kate Moyle is Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist, who is passionate about having open and normalising conversations around sex and relationships; and helping people to get to a place of sexual health, happiness and wellbeing.  Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness Sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're talking about motherhood, and how being a mother can create impact and change in our sex lives. We discuss all of the factors that are influencing the lives of modern mothers, and how a snowballing of social factors are directly impacting mothers and their relationships with self and partners.    In our conversation Sarah and I cover how mothers go through stages and changes physically, emotionally, psychologically and in terms of identity, all of which can create a huge shift in how we see ourselves as a person; which can then show up in our sex lives and relationships. Sarah refers to this as matrescence, which is defined as the process of becoming a mother and the changes that occur in different aspects of our lives as a result, and she talks about how this is reflected back to us by society and culture.    Sarah Forbes is a curator + sexual culturalist + author. Dubbed a "sexpert supreme" by Cosmopolitan Magazine, her memoir, "Sex in the Museum" is based on her decade as the Curator of the Museum of Sex in New York. Trained as an anthropologist, Sarah is writing her second book, "Mama Sex," an anthropological look at motherhood and sexuality. With a focus on sexuality, gender and history, Sarah has been a featured expert everywhere from the New York Times to the The Today Show.    @mamasexbook   https://www.mamasexbook.com/   Today's episode was brought to you by Ferly, the sexual wellness app empowering womxn and non-binary folk to overcome sexual difficulties which can range from lack of libido, inability to orgasm or simply low body confidence. Ferly do this with science based tools and techniques, that help them feel better in their bodies and their beds. The app is available on iOS and Android. Download it today and start your journey to a healthier, confident and more pleasurable life. I have the privilege of working with Ferly as their resident advisor, and truly believe their app has the ability to be transformative for female sexual wellness. https://weareferly.com/   @weareferly Kate Moyle is Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist, who is passionate about having open and normalising conversations around sex and relationships; and helping people to get to a place of sexual health, happiness and wellbeing.  Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness Sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're talking about Chemsex with a particular focus on the gay, bisexual and men-having-sex-with-men community where chemsex is most common. My guest for this conversation is David Stuart who was the first person to name and identify Chemsex as an emerging gay cultural phenomenon. He's a support worker, public servant and a drug use counsellor, specialising in chems and chemsex. He is incredibly experienced in working with those struggling with chemsex use, and what factors are often involved in starting and maintaining the use chems as a part of someone's sex life.    One of the challenges of chemsex is that people often describe this particular use of drugs, as making them feel less inhibited and experiencing increased pleasure; however the flipside of this is that is can pose challenges for sober sex. In this conversation we unpack some of the cultural and social factors that are contributing to people's challenges with chemsex; and we examine some of the narratives and experiences that can influence someone's relationship to chems.    David Stuart was the first to name and identify Chemsex as an emerging gay cultural phenomenon. He developed the world's first chemsex support services, and he fought relentlessly for greater chemsex awareness by encouraging and stimulating cultural dialogue and discussion within our international gay, bi and Queer communities. He continues to support international governments and communities to manage the cultural phenomenon from a place of kindness, sex positivity and cultural competence. https://www.davidstuart.org/   @davidastuart   Today's episode was brought to you by Blueheart, the easy to use, expert-designed app for couples who are experiencing difficulties with libido - this is one of the most common sexual challenges that couples come up against. Blueheart are challenging the taboo around the subject by making getting help and advice more accessible. Blueheart is removing some of the barriers to make sex therapy possible for everyone, they offer expert-led therapeutic techniques, activities education and guided conversations, all from the app so that you can prioritise your relationship and sexual wellbeing in a way that works for you at your own pace. The Blueheart app is available to download now on Android and iPhone https://www.blueheart.io/   @blueheart_app   Kate Moyle is Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist, who is passionate about having open and normalising conversations around sex and relationships; and helping people to get to a place of sexual health, happiness and wellbeing.  Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness Sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're discussing the experience of menopause with icon of the nineties Brit Pop scene, and now menopause campaigner, author and columnist and founder of Women's Health Platform Meg's Menopause @megsmenopause Meg Mathews.   Whilst the menopause is a natural part of ageing which occurs when oestrogen levels decline, normally between the ages of about 45 and 55 years of age; there are still 34 commonly associated symptoms which impact those going through menopause not jut physically and physiologically, but also emotionally and mentally. Whilst some symptoms like irregular periods, hot flushes, vaginal dryness and lower libido may be more commonly known; others such as fatigue, joint pain, dizzy spells, impact on sleep, anxiety and loss of focus and struggles with cognition can have a huge impact on all round health and wellbeing. All of this can also have a huge knock on effect on relationships, work, family-life, hobbies and interests and general wellbeing; although it feels like there aren't many conversations acknowledging that.   In 2016 Meg turned fifty and began to experience the first symptoms of the menopause. She was shocked at the lack of support and understanding shown to women during this time in their lives and made it her mission to break the stigma around this natural cycle of ageing. Since 2017 she has been campaigning about the menopause, fronting campaigns, speaking at events and helping thousands of women navigate their menopause journey.    Meg launched the Women's Health Platform @Megsmenopause to offer people holistic information and products, she has a weekly column for Stella magazine dedicated to the menopause, and a quarterly column in Menopause Matters magazine.    Meg's first book ‘The New Hot: Taking on the Menopause with Attitude and Style' was published by Vermillion in 2020. https://megsmenopause.com/ Instagram : @megsmenopause Today's episode was brought to you by Blueheart, the easy to use, expert-designed app for couples who are experiencing difficulties with libido - this is one of the most common sexual challenges that couples come up against. Blueheart are challenging the taboo around the subject by making getting help and advice more accessible. Blueheart is removing some of the barriers to make sex therapy possible for everyone, they offer expert-led therapeutic techniques, activities education and guided conversations, all from the app so that you can prioritise your relationship and sexual wellbeing in a way that works for you at your own pace. The Blueheart app is available to download now on Android and iPhone https://www.blueheart.io/   @blueheart_app   Kate Moyle is Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist, who is passionate about having open and normalising conversations around sex and relationships; and helping people to get to a place of sexual health, happiness and wellbeing.  Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness Sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're talking about the topic of consent.  Justin Hancock @bishsexed and I talk about why more conversations about consent are needed, why we think that they aren't happening and how we can all better understand consent, what it means, and what it looks like.   Consent is a powerful word, but not everyone understands exactly what it means. It is an essential component of not just our sex lives and relationships but all aspects of our lives. Despite this we have historically seen it left out of mainstream education and conversation and we see millions of examples worldwide about how consent has not been freely given and has been violated. Discussions around consent both in and out of our relationships need to be normalised and demystified in order that we can make the changes to our culture around consent, which is what Justin and I aim to tackle in our conversation.  Justin Hancock is the author of Can We Talk About Consent? and has been a relationships and sex educator for over 20 years. In that time he has worked with thousands of young people in schools, youth clubs, universities, and advice services. Justin created and still works at bishuk.com which is one of the leading relationships and sex education websites for young people over 14, this attracts thousands of people per day. As one young person put it “It's perfect for young people without being too cringe“. Justin also provides training courses and RSE resources for teachers. He also offers relationships and sex education for an over 18 audience too. He wrote ‘Enjoy Sex (How, when and IF, You Want To)' with Meg-John Barker and is the host of a new podcast Culture Sex Relationships.   https://www.bishuk.com/ Instagram : @bishsexed This episode was sponsored by iPlaysafe App. Download the free app and order your iPlaySafe Box - a home STI testing kit. Your results will be sent directly your app, along with an iPlaySafe badge verifying your sexual health status. It's then up to you when, with whom, and whether you share it.  https://www.iplaysafe.app/ Instagram : @iplaysafeapp Kate Moyle is Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist, who is passionate about having open and normalising conversations around sex and relationships; and helping people to get to a place of sexual health, happiness and wellbeing.  Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness Sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're discussing how the process of grieving and loss can impact sex lives and relationships. I'll be having this conversation with the world leading expert, psychotherapist, and author Julia Samuel MBE; who in her book Grief Works said “We seem happy to talk about sex or failure, or to expose our deepest vulnerabilities, but on death we are silent. It is so frightening, even alien, for many of us that we cannot find the words to voice it . . . The pain we feel is invisible, an unseen wound.” Grief and loss are not often held in conversation together with sex, but as a psychotherapist it's something that I often explore in the therapy room. Loss can shake up so much of our lives, change our thinking and our perspectives; and something that Julia often refers to in our conversation is we can't 'not know that loss is possible' once we have experienced it. We discuss the flip side of love being loss, and how for some people their most natural instinct may be to shut down and turn away from intimacy and connection; whereas for others the need to feel, and feel alive may be what they are searching for when they are grieving. We also talk about how we understand mourning, and if we can apply what we know about loss to relationship break ups. Julia Samuel MBE. Msc,  MBACP (Snr Accredited) UKCP Registered Psychotherapist  Julia is a leading UK psychotherapist.  At St Mary's Hospital Paddington, she established the post of  psychotherapist for Paediatrics, where her role for 25 years involved seeing families who have children or babies who die, and where she trained and supported the staff. In 1994 she worked to help launch and establish The Child Bereavement UK, and in 2016 was awarded an MBE in recognition of her services to bereaved children; and in 2017 Middlesex University awarded her an Honorary Doctorate.  In 2017 Julia published Grief Works which was a Sunday Times bestseller in the UK and has been published in 17 countries. In March 2020 she published This Too Shall Pass: stories of Change Crisis and Hopeful Beginnings and is also a Sunday Times bestseller. She also hosts the podcast A Living Loss : The Art Of Losing And Finding Yourself. https://juliasamuel.co.uk/ Instagram : @juliasamuelmbe Today's episode was brought to you by Blueheart, the easy to use, expert-designed app for couples who are experiencing difficulties with libido - this is one of the most common sexual challenges that couples come up against. Blueheart are challenging the taboo around the subject by making getting help and advice more accessible. Blueheart is removing some of the barriers to make sex therapy possible for everyone, they offer expert-led therapeutic techniques, activities education and guided conversations, all from the app so that you can prioritise your relationship and sexual wellbeing in a way that works for you at your own pace. The Blueheart app is available to download now on Android and iPhone https://www.blueheart.io/ @blueheart_app Kate Moyle is Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist, who is passionate about having open and normalising conversations around sex and relationships; and helping people to get to a place of sexual health, happiness and wellbeing.  Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness Sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're discussing the huge topic of relationships. We cover how sex can change in relationships and how one of the biggest challenges to our relationships can be our narratives and expectations of them. My guest for this conversation is the brilliant Andrew G Marshall; marital therapist, podcast host and author of twenty books on sex and relationships; including the international best sellers: 'I love you but I'm not in love with you' and 'How can I ever trust you again'. Relationships are a theme woven through most of the episodes on this podcast, and it almost feels impossible not to talk about relationships when we talk about sex, and not to talk about sex when we talk about relationships. The biggest questions I get asked as a Psychosexual Therapist are about how and why sex changes, and this is what Andrew and I unpick in our discussion. We talk about where our ideas about relationships come from, why our expectations can set us up to fail, why intimacy and fear can be linked, and why often the hardest thing to do is to let go of control and be vulnerable, but how when we do how it can deepen intimacy and connection. Andrew G Marshall is a marital therapist, author of twenty books, and host of the podcast: The Meaningful Life with Andrew G Marshall - where he interviews guests from all walks of life about what makes life meaningful. He trained thirty five years ago with Relate and leads a team of relationship and psycho-sexual therapists in private practice in the UK; and has his own practice in Berlin.    Follow Andrew on Twitter at @andrewgmarshall   www.andrewgmarshall.com www.couplestherapy.berlin Today's episode was brought to you by Blueheart, the easy to use, expert-designed app for couples who are experiencing difficulties with libido - this is one of the most common sexual challenges that couples come up against. Blueheart are challenging the taboo around the subject by making getting help and advice more accessible. Blueheart is removing some of the barriers to make sex therapy possible for everyone, they offer expert-led therapeutic techniques, activities education and guided conversations, all from the app so that you can prioritise your relationship and sexual wellbeing in a way that works for you at your own pace. The Blueheart app is available to download now on Android and iPhone https://www.blueheart.io/ @blueheart_app Kate Moyle is Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist, who is passionate about having open and normalising conversations around sex and relationships; and helping people to get to a place of sexual health, happiness and wellbeing.  Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness Sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're talking about the topic of sexual diversity and why it's important that we have more understanding around the subject. My guest for this conversation is a world-recognised expert in this space and founder of the organisation Pink Therapy, Dominic Davies.  Gender and sexual diversity is about moving beyond the binary, and explaining how gender and sexuality can be understood along a spectrum. In every society there are dominant narratives about sexuality, gender and sex; and as a result of that there will always be people that don't identify within these often binary ideas, which can present challenges for them.  Dominic and I discuss why it's important to update our understanding around sexuality and gender; how identities can change over the course of our lives, and how all of this can impact our identity, mental health, and how we see ourselves in society. Dominic Davies is a psychotherapist and clinical sexologist and the founder of the organisation Pink Therapy which works with Gender, Sex and Relationship Diverse people both through it's online directory of therapists and through an international online training programme for therapists.  He was recently awarded names as one of "50 Distinguished Gender and Sexual Revolutionaries" in a gala evening commemorating 50 years of sex therapy innovation and research at the University of Minnesota.  https://www.pinktherapy.com/ @pinktherapy_uk Today's episode was brought to you by Blueheart, the easy to use, expert-designed app for couples who are experiencing difficulties with libido - this is one of the most common sexual challenges that couples come up against. Blueheart are challenging the taboo around the subject by making getting help and advice more accessible. Blueheart is removing some of the barriers to make sex therapy possible for everyone, they offer expert-led therapeutic techniques, activities education and guided conversations, all from the app so that you can prioritise your relationship and sexual wellbeing in a way that works for you at your own pace. The Blueheart app is available to download now on Android and iPhone https://www.blueheart.io/ @blueheart_app Kate Moyle is Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist, who is passionate about having open and normalising conversations around sex and relationships; and helping people to get to a place of sexual health, happiness and wellbeing.  Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness Sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're discussing the sexual relationships that we have with ourselves, and the topic of self-pleasure. My guest for this conversation is the fabulous Daisy Buchanan, who is an award winning journalist, author and broadcaster who's new book Insatiable: A Love Story For Greedy Girls, frankly and openly discusses the sexual relationship that Violet, the key character has with herself.  Many of the conversations that we have about sex are focused around partnered sex, when in fact our solo sex lives can play an important role in sexual wellbeing and sexual wellness. Self-pleasure has many documented benefits including self-sex education, learning about your body, the health benefits of orgasm, touch, pleasure and associated neurochemical releases; and being incorporated into self-care and me-time routines. We even have International Masturbation Month which takes place in May, and is widely documented across the media; but despite this it feels like conversations about masturbation and self-pleasure are still de-prioritised or behind those focusing on partnered experiences. Daisy and I unpick why we think that is, why she thinks it's important to include it in her writing, and how she describes herself as a self-pleasure enthusiast. Daisy Buchanan is an award winning journalist, author and broadcaster. She has written for every major newspaper and magazine in the UK, from the Guardian to Grazia. She hosts the chart topping podcast You're Booked, where she interviews legendary writers from all over the world about how their reading habits shape their work, and the acclaimed Daisy Is Insatiable,  an intimate look at love, lust, life, and everything that makes sex fascinating - created to accompany her Times bestselling debut novel, Insatiable: A Love Story For Greedy girls. Her other books include the non fiction titlesHow To Be A Grown Up and The Sisterhood.  Follow Daisy on Twitter @NotRollergirl  & Instagram @thedaisybee   This episode of the Sexual Wellness Sessions Podcast is brought to you by Daye, the gynae health research and development company raising the standards of female healthcare. Daye is on a mission to bridge the gender gap in medical research and innovation – starting with period pain, which affects 9 in 10 women in the UK. Daye is the creator of the world's first clinically validated, cramp-soothing CBD tampon, developed as a targeted solution for period cramps. They people with periods deserve tampons that are safe for both your body and the environment, which is why Daye tampons are fully sustainable, made with certified organic cotton and sanitised for safety to reduce the risk of TSS.  You can get £5 towards your first tampon box when you sign up to their flexible subscription service with the code 'SWS5'. To learn more about Daye and subscribe, visit www.yourdaye.com.    Kate Moyle is Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist, who is passionate about having open and normalising conversations around sex and relationships; and helping people to get to a place of sexual health, happiness and wellbeing.  Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness Sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're discussing the impact of cancer and cancer treatment on sex lives and relationships. My guests for this conversation are the amazing Brian Lobel and Beth McCann from the organisation Sex With Cancer; which is an art project and community enterprise that looks at innovative solutions to the often-ignored problem of illness, intimacy, sexual function and pleasure. Brian Lobel is an artist who has been working in cancer care and patient advocacy since 2003, after a diagnosis of testicular cancer when he was 20 years old, and he now performs and writes both creatively and academically on the subject of cancer. Beth McCann is a Clinical nurse specialist for young people with cancer with a special interest in sexual health.   Cancer diagnosis and treatment touch all areas of our lives; but sexual wellbeing is not a commonly discussed topic. Often people describe feeling that there is a blind spot around the subject which adds to the challenge of questions, queries, and knowing where to turn for advice. This is exactly what Sex With Cancer as an organisation are trying to achieve. It was launched by people with cancer, for people with cancer for exactly this reason.    The impact of cancer for sufferers and partners is enormous, and can create changes in all areas of our lives physically, emotionally, in terms of self-image and confidence, relationships, psychologically, hormonally and in terms of our identity, and so it's not a surprise then that we see some of that reflected in our thinking, feeling and behaviours when it comes to sex.  Drawing on personal experience, and working with a steering group of advocates and experts in the worlds of sex, sexual health and cancer care, Sex with Cancer aims to develop into a permanent resource where people living with and beyond cancer can access information, practical solutions and products about sex without shame, and with an eye to pleasure, fun and connection.  sexwithcancer.com @SexWithCancer This episode was brought to you by The YES YES Company, producers of natural personal lubricants, vaginal moisturisers and intimate washes.  YES products are hypoallergenic and certified organic by the Soil Association, made from ethically sourced plant-based ingredients, without parabens, glycerine or hormones. This is ideal for cancer patients seeking natural relief from vaginal dryness brought on by cancer treatments, to restore comfortable sex. Discover YES products at https://www.yesyesyes.org/breastcancer/Use YESKATE15 to claim 15% off your order.  @Yes_Organics Kate Moyle is Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist, who is passionate about having open and normalising conversations around sex and relationships; and helping people to get to a place of sexual health, happiness and wellbeing.  Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness Sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're talking all about the sex that we see on stage and screen. My guest for this episode is the brilliant Intimacy Coordinator and Movement Director Ita O'Brien; who has worked on many hit shows, including Sex Education, Normal People, I May Destroy You and It's A Sin.   The ideas and narratives that we pick up about sex and relationships come from multiple sources; but one of the big influential factors in our lives is what we see on screen. TV series and films make up a lot of our downtime, and are a common topic of conversation, and Netflix is now a well-used word in our everyday vocabulary; but what goes into the process and thinking of the sex that we see on screen and how can that impact how we think and feel about sex?   Comparison culture is at an all time high, and many of us feel that what we see when it comes to sex on screen, doesn't ring true when it comes to our own sex lives. On the flipside we have seen the huge success of shows like Normal People, which Ita was the intimacy co-ordinator on. The much-praised intimacy scenes demonstrated communication, fumbling, uncertainty and the 'working-it-out-as-you-go-on' type of sex that many of us experience in their daily lives, and therefore felt was represented.  Ita O'Brien is the UK's leading Intimacy Coordinator and founder of Intimacy on Set. O'Brien pioneered the role of the Intimacy Coordinator and since 2014 has been developing best practice Intimacy on Set Guidelines, which have been widely adopted in the industry and championed by the TIME'S UP movement and others, advocating for safe, fair and dignified work for everyone. O'Brien has worked on numerous high-profile productions including Normal People (BBC3/Hulu), Sex Education 1&2 (Netflix), Gangs of London (Sky Atlantic), The Great (Hulu), I May Destroy You (BBC/HBO), Brave New World (Peacock/Sky One), It's A Sin (Channel 4) and has been widely covered in the national and international media as the leading spokesperson in this space. https://www.itaobrien.com/ This episode was sponsored by iPlaysafe App. Download the free app and order your iPlaySafe Box - a home STI testing kit. Your results will be sent directly your app, along with an iPlaySafe badge verifying your sexual health status. It's then up to you when, with whom, and whether you share it.   https://www.iplaysafe.app/ Kate Moyle is Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist, who is passionate about having open and normalising conversations around sex and relationships; and helping people to get to a place of sexual health, happiness and wellbeing.  Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

  To kick off the second series of The Sexual Wellness Sessions, we are tackling the topic of stress with the brilliant author of Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle, Emily Nagoski.     When it comes to our sex lives, we see that stress can impact sex, and sex can both cause and relieve stress. It's both a simple and a complicated relationship that is full of many contradictions.      As a Psychosexual Therapist stress and anxiety are in some way woven into all the conversations that I have; and as humans one of the simultaneous wonders and challenges that we have is metacognition - thinking about thinking. So we don't only deal with the stress response and the stress cycle, but also our thinking about what it means to us and the role it's playing in our lives, which when it comes to sex can become really problematic for some people. Emily and I talk about the stress response cycle, how we can manage stress, the impact of medical interventions, the impact of society and cultural messages, and how we can understand the relationship between stress and sex better.      Emily Nagoski is the award-winning author of the New York Times bestselling Come As You Are and The Come As You Are Workbook, and coauthor, with her sister, Amelia, of New York Times bestseller Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle.    https://www.emilynagoski.com/ Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle     This episode was sponsored by This Works – makers of clean, targeted skincare and wellness solutions - rooted in science and proven to work. Their Love Sleep range is designed to help you to reclaim your bedroom, and is formulated with a 100% natural Superblend of Ylang Ylang and Patchouli to help switch you off and turn you on.  After using the love sleep pillow spray 1 in 3 users had more intimate moments.   https://www.thisworks.com/   Kate Moyle is Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist, who is passionate about having open and normalising conversations around sex and relationships; and helping people to get to a place of sexual health, happiness and wellbeing.  Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

In this final episode of Series One of The Sexual Wellness sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're talking all about sex positivity. There was nobody better to unpack this conversation with than the queen of the sex positive space; sex educator and author of Sex Ed : A Guide for Adults, Ruby Rare . We discuss what it means to be sex positive, how to practice sex positivity both emotionally and practically; and we talk about how far we've come, and where we need to get, to create a more sex positive culture. Essentially the theme across this first series of podcast episodes and interviews is about how to help us to be more sex positive. A negative, shame-entwined or uncomfortable relationship with sex is something that shapes so many of our experiences at some point in our lives. And so much of the work done behind the door of the psychosexual therapy room is about reframing sex, to create a a definition of sex which is more inclusive, positive, personalised and accepting. Ruby and I talk about how education, both formal and informal plays an important role in how we understand ourselves sexually; but also how the interactions we have with the world shape our messages and understanding of sex. This was one reason that Ruby explains that she wrote her book, so that we can pull back and think critically about what messages and information we are receiving and internalising, and work out which ones influence us both positively and negatively. Ruby Rare is a queer, non-monogamous, pink-haired sex educator on a mission to get people talking more confidently and inclusively about sex. She's an ambassador for Brook, the UK's leading sexual health charity for young people, co-founder of Body Love Sketch Club, a body positive life drawing class, and when the world is less pandemic-y she runs workshops for adults on porn, pleasure, and non-monogamy. Her debut book Sex Ed: A Guide for Adults is out now. This conversation was brought to you by Ellen Terrie the luxury lingerie and intimate lifestyle brand designed uniquely for women to reclaim their bodies, own their sensuality and feel amazing in their skin. Visit them at  https://ellenterrie.com and get 20% off your next order with code KATEMOYLE20VIP ( Valid until December 31st 2020 )  Follow Ruby Rare on Instagram at @RubyRare Follow Kate Moyle on Instagram at @katemoyletherapy  Follow Ellen Terrie on Instagram at @ellenterrie_official or to find out more about Ellen Terrie head to their website https://ellenterrie.com/

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're talking about post natal sex lives with pelvic health physiotherapist Clare Bourne. Trying to conceive, pregnancy and childbirth can completely change our sex lives, not just from a physical but also a psychological perspective; and many of us have questions about what post natal sex lives should be like, what's 'normal' and what to expect; and this episode aims to answer some of those questions. The pelvic floor muscles play an integral part in a lot of our health, but often the first time we hear about having to take care of them and really pay attention to doing our pelvic floor exercises, is in pregnancy and in preparing for childbirth. Birth, and post natal recovery can look very different for every individual, but understanding our bodies and what might be going on, and how we think and feel about where we are at, can play a big part in us venturing back into our sex lives and sexual intimacy comfortably and confidently. Despite this, much of what we talk about in this episode is often left out of the conversation, which can leave many individuals and couples feeling confused or isolated in what they are experiencing. This conversation is about normalising the changes that you and your body have been through, remodelling our ideas about sex, and getting back to a pain-free and pleasurable sex life that works for you. Clare Bourne is a Pelvic Health Physio who is passionate about helping women with all aspects of pelvic health, with a real interest in helping postnatal mums, and especially those with concerns around post partum sex. She knows first hand the impact of pregnancy and birth, and wants to empower mums in their postnatal journey. This episode was sponsored by The Yes Yes Company, who are leading the revolution in ethical intimacy products. YES products are hypoallergenic and certified organic by the Soil Association, made from ethically sourced plant-based ingredients, without parabens, glycerine or hormones. This makes them ideal for pregnant and postnatal couples looking for natural relief from vaginal dryness brought on by hormonal fluctuations, and can help to restore comfortable sex.  Discover YES products at www.yesyesyes.org/postnatalsex. Use YESKATE15 to claim 15% off your order ( valid until 3rd December 2020 ) Follow Clare Bourne on Instagram at @clarebournephysio Follow Kate Moyle on Instagram at @katemoyletherapy  Follow Yes Organics on Instagram at @yes_organics  

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're talking about asexuality and aromanticism with model, writer and activist Yasmin Benoit. We cover the language we use around sexuality, common assumptions, and why Yasmin felt that it was important to open up the conversation and highlight diversity within the asexual community by creating the hashtag #thisiswhatasexuallookslike  According to AVEN ( The Asexual Visibility And Education Network ) the definition of asexuality is someone who does not experience sexual attraction or an intrinsic desire to have sexual relationships; and aromantics are described as not being romantically attracted to or desiring of romantic relationships at all. There are a range of sexual and romantic orientations; but the point that Yasmin makes is that asexuality is often misconstrued and can be quite invisible, which leaves a gap where those wanting to explore and understand asexuality can find themselves represented. In late 2017, Yasmin publicly came out as aromantic-asexual and has since focused on raising awareness for asexuality and aromanticism, and dispelling misconceptions about the identities with the goal of diversifying the fashion industry and became one of the UK's most prominent Black alternative models. We talk about how she understood herself as asexual and aromantic, why many people's assumptions and reality don't match up when they think of asexuality, and why we need to rethink some of our ideas about sex and intimacy; and how although the terms are often used synonymously that they are different concepts. Follow Yasmin Benoit on Instagram at @theyasminbenoit and Twitter at @theyasminbenoit Follow Kate Moyle on Instagram at @katemoyletherapy  Find out more about AVEN at https://www.asexuality.org/

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're opening up the conversation around disability and sex lives; and what the Undressing Disability campaign by charity Enhance The UK is doing to promote the sexual wellbeing of disabled people. Enhance The UK, are a user-led charity, meaning that all of their trainers have impairments themselves. As well as training, they focus on the sexual rights and responsibilities of disabled people. As this conversation will uncover, so many of these important and educational conversations around sex lives and disability aren't happening, and absolutely aren't happening in an open forum. As Jennie and Emily will explain, there are so many barriers to not just helping those with disabilities but also carers, family members, partners and organisations to help disabled people access help and advice for their sex lives and relationships. Without education platforms and help and advice like this, the impact on self-esteem, self-confidence, relationships and wellbeing can be incredibly challenging.  Jennie & Emily are part of the amazing Enhance The UK team who set up the 'Undressing Disability' campaign to support disabled people in having romantic lives that are both safe and fulfilling, and they do this by providing free resources, giving talks at relevant conferences and events, and running their Undressing Disability Hub, the sexy sibling of LinkedIn, and Love Lounge, a Q and A forum that encourages disabled people and their loved ones to write in (anonymously, if they wish) with any questions surrounding love, sex, dating and relationships. The Love Lounge team call themselves the 'non-expert sexperts' and if they don't know the answer, they'll find someone that does! The Undressing Disability campaign will continue until all disabled people are able to have safe, fun and fulfilling romantic relationships. Follow Undressing Disability on Instagram at @undressingdisability Follow Kate Moyle on Instagram at @katemoyletherapy  Find out more about Enhance The UK on their website https://enhancetheuk.org/

Defining Mindful Sex With Dr Lori Brotto In this episode of The Sexual Wellness sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, the topic of conversation is mindfulness and how it can be helpful for our sex lives. I'm talking to one of the leading experts in this area of research, Dr Lori Brotto who is the director of the UBC Sexual Health Laboratory, and author of Better Sex Through Mindfulness: How Women Can Cultivate Desire.   Mindfulness techniques are a common component of therapies like Psychosexual Therapy and are regularly discussed as ways of dealing with anxiety, distraction and low desire when it comes to sex; but many of us don't actually know what it means to be mindful. Arguably mindful sex isn't about physically doing anything differently, but is about changing how we engage with and interact with the sexual experiences that we are having, which can impact how we experience them physically.    In this conversation we cover how mindfulness is defined, challenge some of the commonly held misconceptions, discuss how we can be more mindful, why it's a practice and not something that 'just happens', and the changes that it can create to how we think and feel, not just in sex but in a lot of our lives. Alongside her book Dr Brotto has written over 170 peer reviewed papers, is a Professor in the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and a Registered Psychologist in Vancouver, Canada; and is Director of the UBC Sexual Health Laboratory where research primarily focuses on developing and testing psychological and mindfulness-based interventions for women with sexual desire and arousal difficulties and women with chronic genital pain. Her research has shown the effectiveness of mindfulness; and how this increased awareness can help the body-mind connect with the critical communication that is necessary for sexual arousal.    Dr Brotto's current knowledge translation project is https://www.debunkingdesire.com/  #DebunkingDesire, which uses social media to debunk myths about sexual desire and share findings from the scientific literature on the nature of women's sexual desire. Follow UBC Sexual Health Research on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook at @UBCshr Follow Dr Lori Brotto on Twitter at @DrLoriBrotto Follow Kate Moyle on Instagram at @katemoyletherapy  Find out more about Dr Lori Brotto and her work head to https://www.loribrotto.com/

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness Sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, I'm talking to Franki Cookney about ways of being in relationships, relationship models and non-monogamy.  Franki is in a consensually non-monogamous relationship, and also regularly writes about the topic as a freelance journalist who specialises in sex, relationships and social development. This conversation is not about advocating or criticising a particular model of relationships, but is more about questioning what we have been taught about relationships and exploring ideas about what those different ways of being in relationships might look like for people. As with all these interviews in The Sexual Wellness Sessions series, it's about recognising the uniqueness of each situation and the people in it, and those involved determining what's right for them. We cover communication, what it's like to talk to a partner about opening up your relationship model, managing the admin of having more than one partner, what it's like to be emotionally and/or sexually connected to more than one person, and we talk about some of the different terminologies used in the relationship space and what they mean. This episode was brought to you by Lelo the luxury sex toy brand combining luxury, pleasure and innovation to create sex toys for both solo and couple pleasure; and I am very proud to work with Lelo as their UK Sex Expert Follow Franki on Instagram at @frankicookneyjourno and sign up to her newsletter The Overthinker's Guide To Sex  Follow Kate Moyle on Instagram at @katemoyletherapy  Follow Lelo on Instagram at @lelo_official  and find their amazing range of toys and products at https://www.lelo.com/            

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're talking about erectile dysfunction, why and how it happens and the impact that it can have on men's mental health, sex lives, relationships and wellbeing. My guests, Xander and Angus are cousins who started Mojo Men after a fortuitously long car journey where they opened up to each other about their personal struggles with sex, even though it was something that they had never talked about before. Encouraged by the fact that they were able to have that conversation, and both feeling like they had broken through a barrier, they wanted to create a platform to make sure that more men weren't feeling isolated and alone with their experiences of struggling with erections. Difficulty getting or maintaining erections is a common presentation in psychosexual therapy, and there is such a strong theme to those discussions. Men can often struggle with how they feel about themselves as a man and a sexual person, but also as a partner. Challenges with sex can stop people wanting to date to avoid the risk of trying to having sex and it not going to plan, and the impact of this can have a huge knock on effect on how men and sometimes their partner's feel about themselves. One of the biggest challenges that those struggling with any kind of sexual dysfunction fight is the invisibility of these conditions, and also the lack of mainstream education and discussion about them. The normality of struggling with erections at some point across the lifespan is more expected, than to have full uninterrupted functioning always, and across all situations; but this isn't the message that we are taught; which leaves those struggling with symptoms feeling even more stressed, anxious and confused by what they are going through. There are numerous reasons that someone may be struggling to get or maintain an erection, some health conditions and medications are linked to an increase in occurrence; but our headspace and mental health also plays a huge part and performance anxiety about sexual functioning is a common presentation in psychosexual therapy. Mojo Men want to help change this, and have created a platform that offers expert advice and exercises, a chance to connect with experts like psychosexual therapists, psychologists and men's health physiotherapists, and a forum for men to connect and help each other. Follow Mojo Men on Instagram at @mojo.men Follow Kate Moyle on Instagram at @katemoyletherapy  Find out more about Mojo Men on their website https://mojomen.com/  

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, I’m talking to Emma and Gabby from Big Fat Negative Podcast about how trying to conceive, IVF, infertility and miscarriage can impact sex lives and relationships.   After both experiencing their own struggles with infertility Emma and Gabby set up Big Fat Negative to break down the stigma, silence, and taboo around the subject of infertility; and to host conversations and offer advice and information that would help support those who are struggling, whatever their route to becoming a parent.    According to the NHS website as many as 1 in 7 couples may have difficulty conceiving, but it’s uncommon to hear it discussed or see it represented; and many couples suffer in silence and struggle with feeling isolated in their experiences. This conversation is about how sex lives can change over the process of trying to conceive. How sex can move from fun to functional, and from sensual to stressful; and how our definition of sex can change impacting our sexuality, intimacy and relationships.     This episode was sponsored by Love Sleep by This Works. This Works understand the connection between sex, sleep and well-being and as experts in the field of sleep and circadian rhythms, have introduced the Love Sleep range, a series of bedroom solutions with a 100% natural Superblend with Ylang Ylang and Patchouli, designed to enhance levels of relaxation in your evening space and promote intimacy – the antidote to digital hyper connectivity and over stimulation, paving the way for better sleep and better relationships. After using the love sleep pillow spray 1 in 3 users had more intimate moments. Follow Big Fat Negative on Instagram at @bigfatnegative Follow Kate Moyle on Instagram at @katemoyletherapy  Follow This Works on Instagram at @thisworks or to find out more about the Love Sleep range head to the This Works website https://www.thisworks.com/search?q=Love+sleep  

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're discussing changing our sexual mindset. For my guest this week Ben Bidwell, this change in thinking about sex came from his own experience of struggling with aspects of sex. Through his difficulties with orgasm, Ben has been through a shift in the way that he thinks about sex, breaking away from the linear model of sex that we all so often assume; and challenging how he used to think and feel about sex as a concept. This conversation is about his relationship with sex, how it's changed and how he is taking this forward into his sexual and relationship future. Ben is a mindset coach, writer, public speaker and prominent voice in the mens mental health space encouraging men to connect with their authentic masculinity. As a part of opening up this conversation Ben has been very honest about his personal challenges with sex, and famously took this conversation to the This Morning Couch. This conversation was brought to you by Beducated Online Courses. With expert-backed methods and easy to follow instructions, Beducated streams video classes and sexpert advice directly to your bedroom. As a part of sponsoring this episode, Beducated are offering a free Communication Tools Video Training which you can access at http://beducate.me/km202008-cot-vt  Follow Ben Bidwell on Instagram at @thenakedprofessor Follow Kate Moyle on Instagram at @katemoyletherapy  Follow Beducated on Instagram at @Beducated or to find out more about Beducated head to their website https://beducated.com/

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're discussing sexual health with Dr Naomi Sutton, Consultant Physician working at the Integrated Sexual Health Service at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, and Doctor on E4's series 'The Sex Clinic'.   This conversation is about how safe sex is great sex, myth-busting, sex education, and helping people to make informed decisions about their sexual health. We talk about sexual health testing, updates to sexual medicine, and what someone can expect from attending a sexual health screening. Many people feel anxious about attending sexual health screenings and check ups, and this is something that Naomi wants to change by reassuring people that it's a judgement-free space and that it's important to attend check-ups, even if you don't have symptoms.    Naomi is also proud to be a Trustee for the UK Charity Saving Lives; a charity which exists to raise awareness of HIV and STI testing, and reduce associated stigma; and she is also an Eve Appeal Ambassador; a charity which raises awareness of the 5 gynaecological cancers.   This episode was brought to you by MyHixel the new and revolutionary methodology, combining the MyHixel pleasure device with their play app to help men to feel more in control.   Follow Dr Naomi Sutton on Instagram at @drnaomisutton Follow Kate Moyle on Instagram at @katemoyletherapy  Follow MyHixel on Instagram at @MyHixel or to find out more about their products go to https://myhixel.com/        

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness sessions hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're exploring the theme of sexual fantasies and our erotic imagination with Justin Lehmiller, author of Tell Me What You Want, The Science Of Sexual Desire And How It Can Help You To Improve Your Sex Life. Dr. Lehmiller is an award-winning educator, having been honored three times with the Certificate of Teaching Excellence from Harvard University, where he taught for several years. He is also a prolific researcher who has published more than 50 academic works, including a textbook titled The Psychology of Human Sexuality that is used in college classrooms around the world. This conversation is about unpacking our erotic imaginations and understanding the science of sexual fantasies. We talk about what the most common sexual fantasies are, people's responses to their desires; and why for many people it's not just about the fantasy itself, but also what it means about them that impacts how they feel about it. Justin also discusses what his research has shown, and how our historical messages and understanding of fantasising have changed over time. To find out more about Justin and his work head to his blog Sex & Psychology at  https://www.lehmiller.com/and on his instagram  Follow Kate Moyle on Instagram at @katemoyletherapy    

In this episode of The Sexual Wellness Sessions, hosted by Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle, we're discussing how we can rethink our ideas about sexual desire with Dr Karen Gurney, the brilliant author of Mind The Gap : The Truth About Desire And How To Futureproof Your Sex Life. Desire is often a misunderstood concept; and how we talk, think and feel about it can play a big role in our sex lives and relationships. This conversation is about what we should expect from desire, how it changes across relationships, and how what we think we know about desire may actually hinder us in our sex lives. This episode was sponsored by Ferly, the sexual wellness app empowering wxmen to overcome sexual difficulties with science based tools and techniques. You can find out more about the app via their instagram @weareferly or via their website https://weareferly.com/   You can follow Kate Moyle on instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy  You can follow Dr Karen Gurney on instagram @TheSexDoctor   Kate Moyle is a Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist, who is passionate about having open and normalising conversations about sex and relationships, and helping people to get to a place of sexual health, happiness and wellbeing.

The Sexual Wellness Sessions Podcast is a series of interviews hosted by Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist Kate Moyle. So many of these conversations about sex and relationships are happening behind the therapy room door; and Kate wants to bring them into the mainstream so that sexual wellbeing can get the attention it deserves. This series of interviews is about changing narratives, challenging beliefs and helping people to normalise talking about sex and relationships, and break away from feelings of shame; all of which can get in the way of them having the sex lives and relationships that they want, and getting to a better place of sexual health, happiness and wellbeing. These discussions hope to open up the conversation, and show the normality of an imperfect sex life and to explore themes such as desire, fantasies, sexual difficulties, relationship models, mindful sex and more, with a series of guests and experts from the sexual wellness space. Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy