Sex After Betrayal or Trauma Therapist in Venice
Rebuild Trust. Reclaim Your Body. Redefine Intimacy on Your Terms.
In our therapy sessions, we will explore:
• Processing and validating the impact of sexual trauma
• Reconnecting with your body via grounding practices
• Addressing triggers, flashbacks, or dissociation during sex
• Rebuilding trust with yourself and your partner
• Creating consent-based, pressure-free approaches to sex
• Exploring touch, closeness, and affection without fear
• Reclaiming your sense of sexual identity and autonomy
Sex can feel complicated—even painful—after a betrayal or traumatic experience. Whether you’re healing from infidelity, sexual assault, childhood abuse, or emotional manipulation, it’s common to experience fear, shame, numbness, or disconnection from your body and your partner. But healing is possible—and you don’t have to do it alone.
As a licensed psychotherapist and former medical doctor specializing in sex therapy, I help individuals and couples gently navigate the journey of reconnecting with their sexuality after it has been wounded. We go at your pace, honoring your boundaries, your story, and your right to feel safe in your own skin again.
You are not broken. What happened to you is not your identity, and it does not define your future.
Let’s help you move from pain to empowerment—and create intimacy that honors your healing.
I provide therapy in Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Venice, Marina Del Rey, Culver City, Mar Vista, Playa Del Rey, West Los Angeles, Pacific Palisades, Palms, and Santa Monica.
Can intimacy return after betrayal or trauma?
This is one of the most common and painful questions clients ask when they begin therapy. If you’ve experienced emotional betrayal, sexual trauma, or a partner’s infidelity, rebuilding sexual connection can feel overwhelming. You may feel stuck, wanting closeness but frozen by fear, resentment, or confusion. A specialized Sex After Betrayal or Trauma Therapist can help you begin to feel safe in your body again, reconnect with your needs, and rediscover intimacy without pressure or shame.
At Steven Kilmann, LMFT, we work with individuals and couples in Venice Beach who want to recover their emotional and physical connection after trauma or betrayal. Therapy is a place where you can speak honestly—without judgment—about what feels broken and begin exploring how to reclaim your sexuality in a way that feels grounded and empowering.
What Sex After Betrayal or Trauma Therapy Covers
This form of therapy goes beyond surface issues. It helps you identify patterns that keep you disconnected, rebuild emotional trust, and explore physical closeness at a pace that feels right for you.
Common challenges we address include:
Feeling emotionally numb or shut down during physical intimacy
Panic, flashbacks, or dissociation during sex
Loss of desire or fear of initiating intimacy
Guilt and shame are tied to sexual needs or responses
Rebuilding trust in a relationship after infidelity or abuse
Whether you're struggling individually or with a partner, a Sex After Betrayal or Trauma Therapist in Venice Beach offers structured, evidence-based support to help you heal.
Who Needs This Therapy?
This work is often beneficial if you’ve experienced:
Emotional betrayal (e.g., affairs, lying about sexual boundaries)
Childhood sexual abuse or trauma
Sexual assault or coercion in adulthood
Trust rupture from emotional neglect or repeated dishonesty
A relationship that lacks clear consent, safety, or emotional presence
You don’t need to “fix” everything before coming to therapy. You just need to be open to the process.
What Happens in Therapy Sessions
Therapy sessions with Steven Kilmann, LMFT, are rooted in compassion, education, and practical tools. Every session is designed to move at your pace and create a safe space for curiosity, not judgment.
Here’s what sessions may include:
Learning how trauma affects the nervous system and sexual response
Developing communication tools to express what feels safe or unsafe
Exploring body-based techniques to reconnect with sensation and pleasure
Processing emotions related to betrayal or assault
Setting boundaries and rebuilding trust in your relationship
In many cases, clients choose to combine individual and couples therapy to build understanding and healing on multiple levels.
Why Choose Steven Kilmann, LMFT in Venice Beach
Steven brings over 15 years of experience as a licensed therapist, with advanced training in trauma-informed sex therapy. His approach is gentle, affirming, and results-oriented.
Benefits of working with Steven:
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with trauma certification
Located in Venice Beach for easy access and privacy
Offers flexible concierge sessions (in-person or virtual)
Uses proven methods like EMDR, EFT, and mindfulness-based therapy
Deep understanding of how betrayal and trauma affect both individuals and couples
In therapy, Steven meets clients where they are emotionally, never pushing past comfort zones. His priority is building trust first.
Client Feedback from Google Reviews
"I felt safe to open up about things I hadn’t told anyone. Therapy with Steven helped me rediscover what intimacy can feel like when I don’t have to shrink myself."
– A.S., Venice Beach
"After betrayal in our marriage, we didn’t think we could ever be close again. Steven’s guidance helped us find a new foundation."
– D.R. and M.R., Los Angeles
Is This Therapy Right for You?
You may be a good fit for Sex After Betrayal or Trauma Therapy in Venice Beach if:
You feel stuck between wanting connection and fearing it
You experience guilt or numbness during or after sex
You want a safe place to rebuild your identity after trauma
Your relationship needs new communication around intimacy
You’re healing after an affair, sexual assault, or betrayal
You don’t need to go through this alone. Therapy provides a path to connection that is honest, respectful, and emotionally safe.
What to Expect from Your First Session
In your first session, Steven will listen closely to your story—what happened, how it affects you now, and what you want to change. You’ll never be pushed into conversations or exercises before you’re ready.
This session is about making sure therapy feels like a space where you can be yourself, without shame, pressure, or fear.
How to Get Started
Rebuilding intimacy takes courage, but it doesn’t require perfection. All it takes is a willingness to explore something different.
If you're ready to talk, visit the concierge therapy services page to learn more about how flexible, private sessions work. You can also read about how therapy supports neurodivergent clients who experience trauma differently.
Your healing process starts by reaching out. Let’s begin.
