343. Sex Therapy in Midlife

22 snips

Nov 9, 2025

In a vibrant discussion, Dr. Rachel Boyle, a marriage and family therapist and certified sex therapist, dives into women's sexual health, focusing on perimenopause and menopause. She shares how hormonal changes affect desire and the importance of communication in relationships. Dr. Boyle discusses the transformative power of EMDR for trauma and debunks myths about women's sexual interest. The conversation emphasizes the need for qualified therapists, as well as the significance of creating safe spaces for women to explore their desires.

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ADVICE

Use EMDR To Reprocess Traumatic Memories

Try EMDR to process looping traumatic memories without reliving them intensely.
EMDR mimics REM sleep to refile painful memories and reduce their emotional charge.

ANECDOTE

Personal Leap Into Perimenopause Care

Rachel discovered her perimenopause after years of unexplained symptoms and misdiagnoses.
Finding Ishwish training led her to specialize in midlife sexual health because no local providers existed.

INSIGHT

Perimenopause Often Goes Undetected In Therapy

Many therapists and clinicians miss perimenopause as an underlying cause of anxiety, depression, or relationship strain.
Screening clients for perimenopause reveals overlooked contributors to mental and sexual health issues.

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In this episode of the You Are Not Broken podcast, Dr. Kelly Casperson speaks with Dr. Rachel Boyle, a sex therapist specializing in perimenopause and menopause.

They explore the complexities of women's sexual health, the impact of hormonal changes, and the importance of communication in relationships. Dr. Boyle shares her journey into understanding perimenopause, the effectiveness of EMDR therapy for trauma, and the cultural pressures women face regarding their bodies and sexuality.

The conversation emphasizes the need for qualified therapists and the significance of creating safe spaces for women to explore their desires and experiences.

Takeaways

Low libido can be a message rather than a problem.
Healing trauma doesn't require reliving it, but releasing it.
Perimenopause can last for many years, affecting women's health.
EMDR therapy helps process traumatic memories effectively.
Women often bear the emotional labor in relationships, leading to stress.
Communication about sex is crucial for healthy relationships.
Desire for sex can be influenced by hormonal changes and emotional safety.
Cultural attitudes towards women's bodies impact their sexual health.
Consensual non-monogamy requires clear communication and boundaries.
Therapists should be trained in women's sexual health issues.

https://www.rachelboyle.com/

To my fellow clinicians: listen to this podcast on ⁠⁠⁠Pinnacle for FREE to earn CME credit⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take my Adult Sex Ed Master Class:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waitlist is open⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midi Women's Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance.Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.joinmidi.com

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