Sex Therapy

Compassionate, evidence-based support for sexual wellbeing and intimacy

At Althea Collective, sex therapy is held with deep care and respect for your lived experience. It’s a space where you are welcomed just as you are; with tenderness, curiosity, and no pressure to be anywhere other than where you are now.

We understand that challenges with sexuality and intimacy can feel vulnerable, confusing, or even painful to talk about. Whether you’re experiencing a shift in desire, discomfort with physical closeness, distress related to past experiences, or difficulties showing up intimately in your relationship, this work is about healing; not judgement.

Sexual concerns are far more common than people often realise, but that doesn’t make them less personal or awkward. Many individuals and couples carry these struggles quietly for years, unsure of where to turn or how to begin. At Althea Collective, you don’t have to carry it alone.

Bethanie holds this work with great sensitivity, drawing on her background in trauma therapy and her belief that emotional safety is the foundation of meaningful change. Every conversation is paced according to your comfort, and every step is taken with compassion.

Grounded in Sensitivity and Clinical Care

Bethanie brings a heartfelt commitment to sensitivity and emotional safety in this work. She understands that sexual concerns are rarely just about sex—they are often shaped by complex histories, silent wounds, or experiences that haven’t yet had a safe place to be spoken about.

With compassion and deep respect, Bethanie holds space for both individuals and couples who are navigating the quieter struggles that often go unspoken:

A sense of distance or disconnection in your desire

Pain, discomfort, or fear around intimacy or touch

Shame, guilt, or anxiety that makes it hard to be present in your body

The echoes of trauma and how it lingers in the nervous system

Feeling emotionally alone, even in the presence of a partner

Trying to rebuild intimacy after betrayal or rupture

Struggles with body image, trust, or fear of vulnerability

Rather than focusing on "fixing" a problem, Bethanie invites clients to understand what their struggles are trying to say—to listen with care to the protective parts, the unmet needs, and the deeper longing for safety and connection.

Qualifications

Bethanie Hannagan is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) with a Master’s degree in Counselling Social Work, formally recognised by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Bethanie also holds a fully accredited Sex Therapy Practitioner Certification, which has equipped her with specialised knowledge in supporting individuals and couples through issues of intimacy, sexual functioning, desire, shame, identity, and trauma.

This certification is fully accredited and recognised by leading international organisations including:

International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM)

International Compliance Assurance for Holistic Practitioners (ICAHP)

Complementary Medical Association (CMA)

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP)

These accreditations affirm the quality, integrity, and ethical grounding of the program, ensuring Bethanie’s practice in sex therapy is informed by globally recognised standards in trauma-informed and inclusive care.

Her broader therapeutic training includes:

  • Level 1 & Level 2 Gottman Method Couples Therapy

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

  • Schema Therapy for individuals and relationships

  • Advanced training in trauma recovery and nervous system regulation

Bethanie brings this comprehensive training into every session—offering a safe, supportive, and research-informed space for clients to explore their stories, rebuild connection, and move toward meaningful change.

Fees & Rebates for Sex Therapy

Session Fee: $200 (50 minutes)
This rate applies to both individual and couples sessions.

At Althea Collective, we offer a consistent, transparent fee for sex therapy to reflect the depth of this work, whether you're attending as an individual or as a couple. Sex therapy involves complex emotional, psychological, and relational work. Whether we're exploring intimacy after trauma, rebuilding sexual connection in a relationship, or working through shame and identity, this space requires time, sensitivity, and specialist care.

The $200 session fee reflects both the clinical expertise and the emotional safety provided in each session.

Medicare Rebates

If you are attending sessions as an individual and have a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from your GP or psychiatrist, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate of $82.30 per session. This applies when the sexual concerns are linked to a diagnosable mental health condition, such as trauma, anxiety, or relationship distress.

Please note that Medicare rebates are not available for couples sessions, even when both partners are experiencing emotional or relational challenges. However, many clients choose to begin individually and invite their partner into later sessions, depending on what feels most helpful and safe.

Need Support Understanding Your Options?

If you're unsure whether you're eligible for a rebate or how to speak with your GP about a referral, Bethanie is happy to guide you through the process. The goal is to make this work as accessible, clear, and supportive as possible.

Ready to Book?

Whether you’re exploring therapy on your own or with a partner, taking the first step is a powerful act of care. If you’re ready to begin, you can book a session online or get in touch with any questions.

💻 Online & in-person sessions available
📍 Based in Smeaton Grange | Australia-wide via telehealth
🧾 Medicare rebates available for eligible individual sessions