When Religion and Shame Have Gotten in the Way of Intimacy

You’ve had it. You’ve been trying to accept yourself as a sexual person for years, but the bottled-up frustration is starting to spill over. It’s showing up in your relationships, your self-esteem, even your hopes for your adult life.

Maybe you love your partner—or just want to feel less inhibited with someone you share intimacy with—but instead, you find yourself stuck in shame, conflict, or guilt. You long for freedom and closeness, but old teachings about sex keep getting in the way.

So many nights you’ve gone to bed with your back turned, weighed down with sadness and shame, wondering if you’ll ever be able to move through this. You’re tired of your partner saying you’re too reserved. And honestly? You’re angry—at them, at the religious institutions that shaped your views of sex, even at yourself.

You keep asking, “Why can’t I get over this?”

You’re not broken. And you’re not alone.

Sex Doesn’t Have to Be a Source of Suffering

You’ve always known you’re a sexual person. You even know who and what you like. And yet — when it comes to sex, you feel like you’re doing something wrong.

A part of you says, “Go for it, this is good!” And another part whispers, “But what if this disappoints God?” You might not even believe in God anymore. But the old fear is still lodged in your nervous system.

Even if you don’t believe in the version of God you were raised with (or hell either, for that matter), those fears still show up in the bedroom. You feel stuck between disappointing your partner, your religion, or yourself. It’s exhausting. And deeply isolating.

And so you lie awake, next to your partner or by yourself, feeling defective. Wondering if this is just the way it will always be. But a part of you is still searching for a way out.

I'm Jack, and I Help People Heal From Sexual Shame

I’m a sex therapist who works with adults who carry sexual shame—especially when it stems from a religious or spiritual background. I understand how hard it is to step into your own beliefs and desires when your upbringing taught you to feel guilt or fear around sexuality. That understanding is why I became an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist.

Whether spirituality is still important to you or not, we can explore what sexual wholeness means for you. You deserve to feel more ease in your body and in your relationships.

A Non-Judgmental Space for Healing

Talking about sex and religious views is deeply personal. You might wonder: “Is it safe to talk about this with a therapist?”

With me, it is. I provide a compassionate, non-judgmental space where nothing about your story is “too much” or “too weird.”

And though I hold a Doctorate of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling, I do not offer or condone any form of conversion therapy or attempts to change your sexual orientation. Those practices are harmful, and I consider them a hate crime.

Instead, I meet you where you are, using evidence-based therapeutic methods that go beyond talk therapy. And I offer telehealth, so you can explore these intimate topics from the privacy of your own space.

What Our Work Together Looks Like

My therapy approach is trauma-informed and rooted in curiosity and not judgment. We’ll do more than talk—we’ll use evidence-based practices to help you shift old beliefs, reconnect with your body, and move toward sexual freedom. I integrate methods like EMDR, Brainspotting, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT for trauma), Havening, TF-CBT, and DBR—always tailored to your unique story.

We’ll meet weekly to build momentum, and I’ll likely offer homework to help support your progress outside of sessions. We’ll track your experience together and adjust as needed, always working toward a version of intimacy that feels true to you.

You’re not here to meet someone else’s standards—you’re here to feel whole. And I’d be honored to support you in getting there.

Safe, Affirming, and Flexible Therapy Options

I offer secure Telehealth sessions across West Virginia and Ohio, with special focus on areas like Cincinnati, OH and Charleston, WV. If you’re ready to explore therapy that centers your story, your values, and your future—not just your past—I invite you to reach out.

If you’re curious about how therapy could help, I invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. Let’s explore whether working together feels like the right step for you.