https://www.sextherapymatters.com/about daily 0.75 2025-12-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6062857c8b66720e92ed3957/1617223430618-P13DJIZ1CFL9SPRV5UBW/PSX_20210331_132454.jpg About Sex Therapy Matters - My Journey My name is Jeremiah Matters (He/Him) and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). I grew up in Washington State and then moved to California in 2011 to pursue my Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Biblical Studies, Psychology, and Intercultural Studies from Hope International University, graduating in 2015. Afterwards, I took some time off from school in order to learn more about myself and figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Having dealt with my own mental health journey, I knew I wanted to help other people explore their own journeys, so the following year I continued my education further in graduate school and received my Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology: Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University in 2020. Since then, I have worked at a couple private practice offices in California, and in 2023 I moved to Nevada to complete my clinical hours. I became licensed in 2024, and since then I started my own private practice and continue to see clients living in California and Nevada (Telehealth only) today. Education I could not be more thankful for the years of learning how to be a therapist from my education at Azusa Pacific University. My time there had a huge impact on my career, and one of the greatest things I learned was that while the interventions in therapy are valuable, the therapeutic relationship with the client is the most important aspect of therapy that contributes to the overall efficacy of treatment. A good therapeutic relationship is one that centers around empathy and unconditional positive regard for the client. But what does that mean exactly? I define empathy as a deep, mutual, emotional understanding that lets the client know that whatever they share is understood on a personal level. Whether or not the experiences are the same, the stories we tell in therapy relay core emotions that we are unsure can be understood by others, yet a therapist who practices with empathy can tune in to those emotions and feel them with the client as they share their pain. That is where I come in and offer unconditional positive regard, which lets you know that no matter what you have done or felt, I am here for you, with not judgment nor shame, but rather grace, acceptance, and love. Certifications As stated on my homepage, although I am an LMFT recognized by the Board of Behavioral Sciences in the State of California and Nevada, I am still in training and not yet a Certified Sex Therapist. That being said, I have completed a course in graduate school called “Human Sexuality and Sex Therapy”, which is one of AASECT’s requirements for Sex Therapist Certification. I plan on continuing to pursue such certification in the near future. Clinical Experience During my last year of graduate school I had the honor to do my internship at the Hope Counseling Center, a community counseling center in Anaheim, CA where I got to work with clients of diverse ages and ethnic groups. During that year I learned a great deal of what it means to be a therapist in Orange County and I had the privilege to practice under an amazing supervisor who taught me much of what I know today. After leaving my internship, I continued my clinical experience at a private practice in Newport Beach where my previous supervisor taught me the importance of developing a niche, which is when I decided to pursue working with the LGBTQ+ Community, as well as doing Sex Therapy with couples and individuals. If you are a part of the LGBTQ+ Community and want to learn more about how I work with that population, check out my other website. However, whether or not you identify as LGBTQ+, continue reading below to learn more about how I conduct Sex Therapy. Sex Therapy Many sex therapists only focus on the sexual aspect of a couple’s relationship—meaning that the focus is on the content of the sexual problem. Although focusing on the content is a vital aspect of treating sexual problems, it cannot be the only focus because there are deep, powerful emotions underlying the sexual problem that are often not being expressed in the relationship. With Integrative Sex and Couples Therapy, I help couples not only to understand those underlying emotions, but also how to properly express those emotions to each other in a way that will help each partner better understand what is going on beneath the sexual problem and the overt, secondary emotions that are being improperly displaced. However, couples aren’t the only ones who come to sex therapy. Although sex therapy typically includes working with a couple, there are times when Individual Sex Therapy might be more appropriate. Whether the reason is because an individual does not have a partner, they are not yet comfortable disclosing their sexual problem to their partner, or any other reason, it is never too late to start getting help in order to improve the quality of your sex life. If you want to learn more about how Sex Therapy can help you and your partner in Integrative Sex and Couples Therapy, click here. If you want to learn more about how Sex Therapy can help you in Individual Therapy, click here. https://www.sextherapymatters.com/sex-therapy-matters daily 1.0 2026-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6062857c8b66720e92ed3957/1617856634411-LKZVGPIY6B6O3FOK0HEW/unsplash-image-Yizrl9N_eDA.jpg Sex Therapy Matters - Integrative Sex and Couples Therapy Many therapists focusing on sex therapy only focus on the sexual aspect of a couple’s relationship—meaning that the focus is on the content of the sexual problem. Although focusing on the content is a vital aspect of treating sexual problems, it cannot be the only focus because there are deep, powerful emotions underlying the sexual problem that are often not being expressed in the relationship. In Integrative Sex and Couples Therapy, I help couples not only to understand those underlying emotions, but also to give them the tools to learn how to properly express those emotions to each other in a way that will help each partner better understand what is going on beneath the sexual problem and the overt, secondary emotions that are being improperly displaced. To learn more about how Integrative Sex and Couples Therapy can help you and your partner, check out my “Integrative Sex and Couples Therapy” page by clicking below. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6062857c8b66720e92ed3957/1617850941343-PWZD4LO4AE3DS1G8ZIMO/jon-flobrant-_r19nfvS3wY-unsplash.jpg Sex Therapy Matters - Sex Therapy for Individuals Although sex therapy typically includes working with a couple, there are times when individual sex therapy might be more appropriate. Whether the reason is because an individual does not have a partner, they are not yet comfortable disclosing their sexual problem to their partner, or any other reason, it is never too late to start getting help in order to improve the quality of your sex life. To learn more about how Sex Therapy can help you overcome obstacles in your sex life, check out my “Sex Therapy for Individuals” page by clicking below. https://www.sextherapymatters.com/sex-therapy-for-couples daily 0.75 2024-12-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6062857c8b66720e92ed3957/1617856003642-F490Y0E3U9BF5O7Y6CVI/jonathan-leppan-egY7agluWhc-unsplash.jpg Sex Therapy for Couples - How it Works Many sex therapists only focus on the sexual aspect of a couple’s relationship—meaning that the focus is on the content of the sexual problem. Although focusing on the content is a vital aspect of treating sexual problems, it cannot be the only focus because there are deep, powerful emotions underlying the sexual problem that are often not being expressed in the relationship. With Integrative Sex and Couples Therapy, I help couples not only to understand those underlying emotions, but also how to properly express those emotions to each other in a way that will help each partner better understand what is going on beneath the sexual problem and the overt, secondary emotions that are being improperly displaced. Common issues addressed: Sexual dysfunction, such as difficulty maintaining arousal or an inability to have an orgasm The vicious cycle of performance anxiety Lack of desire for sexual activity Guilt and shame for the sexual dysfunction Feelings of guilt and blame for their partner’s sexual dysfunction Miscommunications and expectations about sex and initiating sex Differences of sexual preferences between partners How to express emotions and be more vulnerable with each other Call me or text me (Jeremiah) at (949) 524-9362 today! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6062857c8b66720e92ed3957/1617856079140-DCON54HBYGZ2TQFJFJNJ/ib-wira-dyatmika-ob9953uWZT4-unsplash.jpg Sex Therapy for Couples - Sex Therapy and EFT The way I do this is by integrating sex therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). With EFT, I help couples recognize and understand the dance they are finding themselves stuck in, and help them construct new moments in their relationship that are built on a mutual understanding of how each partner is experiencing the dance so that they can create a new dance—one built on love, empathy, compassion, and understanding. By integrating these two therapies, my goal and hope is that not only will the sexual problem decrease, but the relationship between the couple will also grow stronger and more connected because each partner will walk away from therapy with a better understanding of who their partner is, why the sexual problem exists, how the problem affects each partner’s emotions and the relationship dance, and how each partner can be more supportive. If you want to learn how to create a new, healthier dance with your partner and begin understanding each other in new ways that get to the root of the sexual problem, please call or text me (Jeremiah) at (949) 524-9362 today. https://www.sextherapymatters.com/faq daily 0.75 2024-12-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6062857c8b66720e92ed3957/1617225349230-0L46YLTH533UZYKOFK53/michael-krahn-eGD69I3ODC4-unsplash.jpg FAQ - FAQ Can I come to session if I’m sick? Short answer: No. Long answer: If you are having any symptoms of being sick, please let me know as soon as possible and stay home and we can do a Telehealth therapy session, as I will kindly ask any client to leave if they are sick for the safety of myself and others. As our society continues to heal from the COVID-19 Pandemic, creating a space to help you feel safe and comfortable is my number one priority, and that is why I offer a couple different options for conducting therapy sessions. One option is to come for therapy in-person at my office. Although masks are no longer required to be worn, please feel free to wear one while in the waiting room and/ or in session and let me know if you would like me to wear one as well. For further questions, please see my Contact page by clicking below. For further questions, please see my Connect page. You say you work with couples… do you work with all types of couples, including LGBTQ+ couples? Yes! As a matter of fact, I have my own website for working with the LGBTQ+ Community. Does Sex Therapy involve having sex? Yes, and no. Although Sex Therapists may assign “homework” for couples to practice sexual activities with their partner while they are home, there will never be any sexual activities performed while in the therapy office because that is illegal. To learn more about this topic, read the Department of Consumer Affairs’ publication, “Therapy Never Involves Sexual Behavior”. If you have ever been asked by a therapist to perform sexual activities during a therapy session, use the resource above to learn more about how that is never okay and if you want to report that therapist. https://www.sextherapymatters.com/sex-therapy-for-individuals daily 0.75 2024-12-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6062857c8b66720e92ed3957/1618516585270-K6D69BFES15OVQ7GR03Y/unsplash-image-jnJ89cuXMcs.jpg Sex Therapy for Individuals - How it Works Although sex therapy typically includes working with a couple, there are times when Individual Sex Therapy might be more appropriate. Whether the reason is because an individual does not have a partner, they are not yet comfortable disclosing their sexual problem to their partner, or any other reason, it is never too late to start getting help in order to improve the quality of your sex life. Common issues addressed: Sexual dysfunction, such as difficulty maintaining arousal or an inability to orgasm The vicious cycle of performance anxiety Lack of desire for sexual activity Guilt and shame for the sexual dysfunction Sex addiction that leads to risky sexual behavior, or an inability to control how often one engages in sexual activity, porn usage, etc. Exploring how history, culture, beliefs, upbringing, sexuality, and any combination of those affects how one engages in sexual activity Exploring the emotions underlying sexual dysfunction Processing hurtful comments about one’s sexual dysfunction from previous sexual partners Managing society’s view of sex with one’s own view as it relates to preferences or “kink shaming” Call me or text me (Jeremiah) at (949) 524-9362 today! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6062857c8b66720e92ed3957/1618516665817-P4S4U2YTEURABH8W0HNX/jon-flobrant-_r19nfvS3wY-unsplash.jpg Sex Therapy for Individuals - Understanding Your Sexual Journey Whether you are with a partner or are single and just trying to learn more about your sexual preferences, sexual problems, and/or your sexuality, sex therapy could be the solution to help you process your thoughts and emotions in a safe place, free from judgment and shame. If you are ready to begin exploring your sexual journey, please call or text me (Jeremiah) at (949) 524-9362 Jeremiah today. https://www.sextherapymatters.com/connect-with-sex-therapy-matters daily 0.75 2025-12-03 https://www.sextherapymatters.com/resources daily 0.75 2024-12-20