Stephanie Buehler, Psy.D. Professional Therapist

Licensed Psychologist (PSY 17609)

Member: American Psychological Association, California Psychological Association, Orange County Psychological Association, California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, The Women's Sexual Health Foundation, Int. Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health

I am a licensed psychologist who specializes in sexual concerns. My patients tell me that I am warm and that I listen to them without judgment-they feel that they are understood. I work with men, women, and couples who do not experience their sexuality in a healthful or positive way. I see basically three areas of sexual concern. First there is concern around how to achieve sexual pleasure. This often means problems with orgasm, ejaculation, or erection, or general inhibitions around one's body and being touched. There may also be structural problems such as pelvic pain disorders or vaginismus (spasm of the vagina). Also, illness such as MS, cancer, or diabetes may make sex difficult. Finally, there can be problems with desire, or mismatched desire between partners. These concerns require education, patient coaching, and supported practice. Second, there can be issues around sexual abuse. For concerns like this I take a gentle approach to healing past wounds and making patients feel better in the present moment through various mind / body techniques such as deep relaxation. Third, there can be compulsive sexual behavior such as excessive viewing of adult material on the internet or multiple meaningless affairs. These concerns require compassionate understanding to heal sexual shame and relearn positive sexual behaviors. Whether working with an individual or a couple, my goal is to increase a sense of love and trust, and the expression of sexual energy.

Website: www.thecenterforoptimalhealth.org

Stephanie Buehler, Psy.D: I want to say a little about my unique position. I am co-founder and co-owner of The Center for Optimal Health along with an endocrinologist, a physician who specializes in the regulation of hormonal health. We have a gynecologist working with us who specializes in sexual medicine, and soon we will have a physical therapist who will be able to do biofeedback for pelvic pain. Please visit my web site and read the information on the Sexual Harmony Program. Of course, you are also welcome to see me for psychotherapy without evaluation by the physicians, but my hope is that you will see the level of dedication that we have to people's sexual health and harmony. In fact, we will soon have a nonprofit dedicated in part to educational activities to increase awareness of the need for sexual health across the lifespan.