Women's Health Therapy in Washington
Evidence-Based, Compassionate Therapy for Individuals or Couples
ReSpark Group is a premier therapy practice, with industry-leading clinicians, helping clients with relationships and sexual wellness. With ReSpark, you get the benefits of working with one of the biggest couples therapy and sex therapy groups in the country. All clinicians receive continuous supervision, consultation, and advanced education. ReSpark offers evidence-based, effective therapy and coaching. Clinicians obtain world-class sex therapy and couples therapy training from the Sexual Health Alliance.
Our team personally matches every patient with an expert who has the right personality and education for the best outcomes. Your time is valuable, and it's our goal for you to quickly develop rapport with someone who is a good fit for you and your needs.
ABOUT OUR WOMEN'S HEALTH THERAPY IN WASHINGTON
WHAT IS WOMEN’S HEALTH THERAPY?
Respark’s Women’s Health therapy is Colorado, Texas, and Washington-based talk therapy, that is centered around the lives of those who identify as a woman. During your session with a Respark therapist, you have the opportunity to discuss your life, your womanhood, and the things that either negatively or positively affect you. There are many issues around women’s health that may bring women or female-identified individuals into therapy. Some of the time, women may be referred to our sex therapy practice by their medical providers, while others may just be seeking someone to talk to on their own. Health and wellness absolutely align with mental health, especially when it comes to sexual health concerns. There is usually a lot more to process around your sexual health issues besides only receiving medical treatment.
In women’s health therapy, you may talk about:
- Changes in menstruation
- Birth control education
- Arousal issues or mismatched sexuality
- Trauma from pregnancy and/or birth
- Menopause preparation and education
- Painful intercourse
- General sex education
- Importance of pelvic floor health
When you attend therapy with a Respark therapist, your sessions are spaces to discuss anything and everything, including your sexuality. All Respark therapists are AASECT Certified Sex Therapists and SHA Certified Sex Therapists, indicating their extensive research and study in the field of sexuality. Because sexuality is often accompanied by past generational messages, political and/or religious influence, and damaging misinformation, your sexual identity may be in distress. We encourage and support you as we tease apart any preconceived and unproductive ideas you may still hold, which is true for all topics, not just sexuality. As a team, you and your Respark therapist will work towards improving and strengthening communication skills that enhance your intimacy and how to communicate your desires, both in and out of the bedroom. We believe being able to properly express your desires while understanding your partner’s or partners’ sexual identity and desires can be transcendent for your relationships.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED WOMEN’S HEALTH THERAPY?
Individual therapy is for everyone–every person can benefit from some form of therapy. People of all ages, all cultures, and all demographics are seen in therapy. Cultural taboos, stigmas, shyness, embarrassment, or shame can affect the way people view and judge their life. There is no shame in getting help. At Respark, we are dedicated to helping you navigate through depression, anxiety, and other life stressors. Respark your love for life again. You are not alone!
Some common reasons women choose to see a Women’s Health therapist:
- Pelvic floor
- Birth Trauma
- Pregnancy Loss
- Low sex or no sex
- Miscarriage
- Fertility Complications
- Postpartum Issues
- Sex Education
- Sexual Dysfunction
- Painful intercourse
- Incontinence
- Menopause
Just want a therapist that is knowledgeable and affirming?
Clients tell us we're friendly, down to earth and approach therapy in a collaborative manner. We offer a holistic, gentle yet direct, and tailored approach that includes well-researched theories with a relational foundation. Together, we will learn new techniques, assign at-home exercises, reading assignments, conduct in-session guided exercises and other activities that make therapy and coaching fun and productive. We'll work together to form an approach that will be tailored to your goals. Leading researchers, including Esther Perel, Brené Brown, John Gottman, David Schnarch, David Ley, Chris Donaghue, and Marty Klein influence our therapeutic work with couples and individuals. Additionally, as AASECT-Certified Sex Therapists, we will work toward improving intimacy, strengthening communication skills, and communicating your desires.
commonly asked questions
WHAT IS MENOPAUSE?
Menopause is, unfortunately, labeled as a process to fear, to dread. Menopause–when the levels of estrogen and progesterone change, and you have gone through 12 consecutive months without menstruating–is a natural part of again. It simply marks the end of the female reproductive years. As those with a uterus age, the reproductive cycle, which has been continuously functioning since puberty, slows down and prepares to sop. As menopause nears, you produce less estrogen, meaning your menstruation changes to irregular before eventually stopping altogether. Symptoms of menopause vary among individuals; any symptoms you may experience during menopause are all your body’s way of adjusting to these natural changes.
As you age, the reproductive cycle begins to slow down and prepares to stop. This cycle has been continuously functioning since puberty. As menopause nears, your ovaries make less of a hormone called estrogen. When this decrease occurs, your menstrual cycle (period) starts to change. It can become irregular and then stop. Physical changes can also happen as your body adapts to different levels of hormones. The symptoms you experience during each stage of menopause (perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause) are all part of your body’s adjustment to these changes.
Menopause is broken down into three stages: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause–think of these phases as the increased slowing of your reproductive cycle and the eventual full stop. During this transition, you may experience, to varying degrees, any combination of the symptoms below.
- Hot flashes (a sudden feeling of warmth that spreads over the body).
- Night sweats and/or cold flashes.
- Vaginal dryness; discomfort during sex.
- Urinary urgency (a pressing need to urinate more frequently).
- Difficulty sleeping (insomnia).
- Emotional changes (irritability, mood swings, mild depression).
- Dry skin, dry eyes or dry mouth.
- People who are still in the menopause transition (perimenopause) may also experience:
- Breast tenderness.
- Worsening of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
- Irregular periods or skipping periods.
- Periods that are heavier or lighter than usual.
- Some people might also experience:
- Racing heart.
- Headaches.
- Joint and muscle aches and pains.
- Changes in libido (sex drive).
- Difficulty concentrating, memory lapses (often temporary).
- Weight gain.
- Hair loss or thinning.
Though it will happen naturally to everyone with a uterus, it can be triggered by the surgical removal of the ovaries or other medical conditions that may cause one’s bleeding to artificially stop.
WHAT IS POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION?
Postpartum depression is not the “baby blues,” which are a normal part of postpartum adjustment and require no medical or psychological intervention. Postpartum depression (PPD) is an umbrella term that refers to various mood disorders which can begin during pregnancy or following childbirth. PPD is typically an agitated depression displaying symptoms of both depression and anxiety. Perinatal depression and anxiety are characterized by frequent crying, mood swings, extreme fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, loss of sexual interest, appetite changes, sleep problems, pervasive anxiety, negative or scary thoughts, ruminating, hopelessness, and feelings of inadequacy. At times, PPD can exhibit feelings of anger, rage, shame, and guilt, and you may experience intrusive thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby.
Postpartum therapy targets those affected by any perinatal depression and/or anxiety. In Respark’s Women’s Health Therapy, we are committed to working with you and your unique symptoms and needs for any postpartum depression or anxiety you may be experiencing. The process of pregnancy, labor, and child-rearing can be difficult, painful, angering, or crushing. In your sessions with a women’s health expert, we will sort through your emotions and work together to pull you through these unwelcome feelings.
It may be difficult to discern if you need specific therapy. Many new mothers and fathers will experience some of the common symptoms of PPD, which can include:
- Trouble sleeping, fatigue, exhaustion
- Decrease in appetite or other appetite changes
- Worry attacks, panic attacks
- Excessive crying, mood swings, irritability
- Self-loathing and self-isolating
- Intrusive thoughts
- Lack of enjoyment
- Trouble concentrating
If more than three of the symptoms above resonate with you, you may need postpartum therapy. PPD affects approximately 20% of all postpartum women. It is a real illness and thankfully, it is fully treatable. Do not deny yourself the opportunity to feel good again. Do not let misinformation, shame, finances, embarrassment, or fatigue get in the way of getting the help you need. Reach out to a Respark therapist and let’s begin your journey back to wellness.
COMMON REASONS TO GO TO WOMEN’S HEALTH THERAPY
- Pregnancy
- Family Planning
- Family Concerns
- Birth Trauma
- Pregnancy Loss
- Low sex or no sex
- Miscarriage
- Fertility Complications
- Postpartum Issues
- Sex Education
- Sexual Dysfunction
- Painful intercourse
- Incontinence
- Menopause
TESTIMONIAL
"I collaborate professionally with Heather on a regular basis and believe she is a talented, effective, and down-to-earth sex therapist. She is my go-to referral for clients exploring sexuality issues such as a sexless marriage, issues of sexual identity, kink, open and poly relationships. I feel so lucky to have her as part of our Austin therapist community!”
Dr. Jessica Michaelson
HOW IS RESPARK DIFFERENT?
We see 500+ clients every month through our Online Therapy Program. After a decade of practice, we look forward to serving you through online counseling or via phone therapy anywhere in Washington.
Respark is a talk therapy practice that is inclusive and affirming of all orientations, lifestyles, beliefs, and relationship styles. Respark’s team has a combined 70+ years of experience and consists of highly-specialized therapists who are committed to serving your individual and relationship needs. While most couples therapists do not receive any education in sexuality, the therapists on our team continuously seek advanced, expert training opportunities in sexuality and relationship issues so we can provide the most up-to-date and effective therapy to our clients.
We aim to provide high-quality couples therapy and the best sex therapy, individual counseling, and coaching throughout all of Washington. Our counselors and coaches are available online for anyone nationwide.
At Respark, we specialize in moving through sexual issues by creating passion in your relationship and working towards relighting the fire of love in your life. Your sexuality can be a sensitive and frustrating topic, let our professionals help guide you through it.