Sexual Aversion Disorder | Apex Psychological Services

Understanding Sexual Aversion Disorder

Sexual aversion disorder is characterized by a persistent and extreme aversion to, or avoidance of, genital sexual contact. Beyond simple low desire, it involves an active avoidance response — ranging from strong discomfort and disgust to anxiety or panic — at the prospect of sexual contact. This aversion causes significant distress to the individual and typically profound difficulties in intimate relationships.

Sexual aversion disorder exists on a spectrum. Some people experience aversion to all sexual activity; others find it specific — to certain types of touch, to particular contexts, or to particular aspects of sex. It can develop at any stage of life and may be lifelong or acquired following a specific experience or life event.

It is important to understand that sexual aversion disorder is not a choice, a reflection of attraction to a partner, or a sign of immaturity. It is a recognized clinical condition with identifiable causes and effective treatment.

Treatable : Sexual aversion disorder responds well to specialist psychosexual therapy. Many people who have lived with this difficulty for years experience significant and lasting improvement with the right support.

Causes and Contributing Factors

Sexual Trauma

Past sexual trauma — including sexual abuse, assault, or coercive experiences — is one of the most significant contributing factors to sexual aversion. The aversion is often a protective response that has outlived its original function.

Negative Sexual Conditioning

Early experiences of sex as painful, shameful, frightening, or wrong can establish an aversion response that persists into adulthood — even where the original context is no longer relevant.

Religious or Cultural Messages

Deeply internalised beliefs that sex is dirty, sinful, or wrong — often absorbed in childhood or adolescence — can generate a powerful aversion response that is not resolved by intellectual rejection of those beliefs.

Relationship Factors

Sexual pressure within a relationship, experiences of sexual coercion by a partner, or association of sex with conflict and unhappiness can generate or maintain aversion.

Body Image and Shame

Profound shame about the body or about sexual response can create an aversion response — avoiding sexual contact in order to avoid the feelings of shame it triggers.

Disgust Responses

For some people sexual aversion is primarily driven by disgust — an evolutionarily rooted response to certain stimuli — which has generalised to encompass sexual activity broadly.

How Psychosexual Therapy Treats Sexual Aversion

Thorough Assessment

A careful, compassionate exploration of the history, nature, and specific triggers of the aversion response — essential for developing a treatment plan that addresses the underlying causes.

Trauma-Informed Work

Where trauma underlies the aversion, careful, paced trauma processing using evidence-based approaches that do not re-traumatise while addressing the roots of the response.

Graduated Exposure

A carefully paced programme of graduated approach to sexual situations, beginning far below the aversion threshold and progressing at a pace determined entirely by the individual.

Cognitive Restructuring

Identifying and challenging the beliefs about sex, the body, and sexual contact that maintain the aversion — including deeply held beliefs about shame, danger, or wrongness.

Sensate Focus

A non-pressured, graduated touch programme that begins entirely outside sexual areas and progresses at a very slow pace, rebuilding a positive relationship with touch and physical contact.

Partner Work

Where there is a partner, psychoeducation and supported communication about the aversion — helping the partner understand, removing pressure, and rebuilding the relational safety needed for recovery.

Individual & Couple Therapy

Individual Therapy

A safe, non-pressured space to explore the origins of your aversion, reduce fear and avoidance, and gradually — entirely at your pace — build a more comfortable relationship with your body and with intimacy.

Couple Therapy

When aversion is affecting a relationship, couple therapy helps your partner understand your experience, removes pressure and expectations, and supports you in developing a shared approach to closeness that feels safe for both of you.

Whether the priority is individual self-exploration or rebuilding intimacy as a couple, therapy is compassionate, non-judgmental, and tailored to your unique circumstances.

What You Can Expect from Treatment

Reduce or resolve the aversion response : With patient, carefully paced work, many people move from avoidance to genuine engagement
Address underlying causes : Resolve the trauma, shame, or conditioning that generated the aversion
Rebuild relationship with your body : Develop a more comfortable, positive relationship with physical sensation and touch
Improve relationship intimacy : Allow the physical dimension of intimate relationships to become available again
Reduce avoidance : Gradually — and only if you choose — work towards greater comfort with physical closeness

What our clients say

"I had avoided sexual contact for seven years and thought I was simply broken. The therapy was careful, patient, and completely without pressure. I now have a relationship with my body I did not believe was possible. "

— Anonymous

"My therapist helped me understand that the aversion made complete sense given my history. That understanding — not judgement — was the beginning of change."

— Anonymous

"My partner attending with me was really helpful. They finally understood what I was experiencing, and that took an enormous amount of pressure off."

— Anonymous

Our Therapists

Our therapists are COSRT-accredited and hold specialist training in the treatment of sexual aversion and the trauma, shame, and conditioning that commonly underlie it. This is a presentation that requires particular sensitivity, patience, and clinical skill — all of which our therapists bring.

Sexual aversion disorder is one of the presentations our therapists approach with the most care. The therapeutic relationship is built slowly, at the client's pace, with safety as the foundation of all the work. Many clients have never spoken to anyone about this. Our therapists create a space where that is possible.

Your First Session

Your first session is a warm, confidential conversation about your experience — what you have been noticing, how long it has been affecting you, and what you hope to achieve. There is no pressure and no predetermined agenda. Your therapist will listen carefully and develop a personalised treatment plan collaboratively with you.

Between Sessions

Psychosexual therapy involves work between sessions as well as within them. Your therapist will discuss any tasks, exercises, or reflections that may support your progress. These are always agreed collaboratively and tailored entirely to your situation and pace.

No GP Referral Needed

You do not need a GP referral to book with us. You can contact us directly for a confidential initial consultation. We are happy to work alongside your GP or other healthcare providers with your consent.

If you are in crisis: Apex Psychological Services is not an emergency or crisis service. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact NHS 111, call 999, or attend your nearest A&E. Samaritans are available 24/7 on 116 123 (free, any phone).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is sexual aversion disorder?

Sexual aversion disorder (SAD) is characterized by a persistent and intense aversion to or avoidance of sexual contact, accompanied by feelings of disgust, fear, anxiety, or panic when sexual contact is anticipated or occurs.

2. What causes sexual aversion?

Most commonly rooted in past sexual trauma or abuse, though it can also develop from profoundly negative sexual experiences, rigid religious or cultural beliefs, severe performance anxiety, deep negative body image, or relationship betrayal.

3. Is sexual aversion the same as low desire?

No. Low desire involves limited interest in sex; sexual aversion involves an active avoidance response — often including anxiety, disgust, or panic — at the prospect of sexual contact. They require different therapeutic approaches.

4. Is sexual aversion treatable?

Yes. With compassionate, trauma-informed psychosexual therapy, most people make meaningful progress — developing a safer, more comfortable relationship with intimacy at their own pace.

5. Does treatment involve physical exercises?

Treatment may include graduated sensate focus exercises agreed collaboratively and progressed at your own pace. Nothing is ever introduced without full discussion and consent.

6. How long does treatment take?

Sexual aversion disorder typically requires a longer course of treatment than some other presentations — usually 16-24 sessions — because addressing the underlying causes takes time. Your therapist will review progress regularly.

7. Can I attend without a partner?

Yes. Many people attend individually and make significant progress. Partner involvement, where there is a partner and they are willing, can be helpful but is never required.

No referral needed: You can contact us directly without a GP referral or existing diagnosis. We respond to all enquiries within one working day, Monday to Friday.

Fees

Session Fees

Individual Sessions: £90 per session (50 minutes)
Couple Sessions: £130 per session (50 minutes)

Session Frequency

Most clients attend weekly or fortnightly sessions. You and your therapist will agree a frequency that suits your needs.
Both in-person and online appointments are available.

Please use our contact form to arrange a consultation. We respond within one working day.