First, let’s clear up a few things: there’s no couch demonstration, nobody gets naked, and you’re not going to be graded on how often you have sex . Sex therapy, it turns out, is mostly talking—which, if you’ve ever tried to bring up what you want in bed, may sound like a relief or your worst nightmare. But talking about sex shouldn’t be taboo, and a sex therapist can help you find the answers to the questions you’re too afraid to ask.

“Often, we aren’t taught how to talk about sex in a way that feels open and comfortable, and that can leave us feeling ashamed, self-conscious, stuck, or unsatisfied,” says Fox Eros, LMFT , a California-based sex therapist. “Sex can be influenced by so many factors, some of which we aren’t even aware of, which can make it challenging to pinpoint exactly what’s happening.” That’s where sex therapy comes in, she says.

Maybe it’s been hard to get aroused lately. Maybe you want to explore kink , sexual fantasies , or you’re wondering how to use sex toys with your partner.…