--- title: "Sex Therapist in Berkeley & the Bay Area" description: "Sex therapy with Fanshen Thompson, LCSW — Berkeley, CA. Specialized care for desire, intimacy, and connection. Free 15-min consultation." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": [ "ProfessionalService", "MedicalBusiness", "MedicalClinic" ], "@id": "https://fanshenthompson.com/#business", "name": "Fanshen Thompson, LCSW", "url": "https://fanshenthompson.com", "logo": "https://fanshenthompson.com/og.jpg", "image": "https://fanshenthompson.com/og.jpg", "email": "fanshen@fanshenthompson.com", "priceRange": "$$$", "medicalSpecialty": "Mental Health", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "Berkeley", "addressRegion": "CA", "addressCountry": "US" }, "areaServed": { "@type": "State", "name": "California" }, "contactPoint": { "@type": "ContactPoint", "contactType": "customer service", "email": "fanshen@fanshenthompson.com" }, "founder": { "@id": "https://fanshenthompson.com/#practitioner" }, "employee": { "@id": "https://fanshenthompson.com/#practitioner" }, "openingHoursSpecification": [ { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": [ "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday" ], "opens": "09:00", "closes": "18:00" } ], "sameAs": [ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/fanshen-thompson-lcsw-672425216/", "https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086164215212", "https://pin.it/5enxDfD" ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://fanshenthompson.com/#practitioner", "name": "Fanshen Thompson", "honorificSuffix": "LCSW", "jobTitle": "Licensed Clinical Social Worker", "url": "https://fanshenthompson.com", "image": "https://fanshenthompson.com/og.jpg", "email": "fanshen@fanshenthompson.com", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "Berkeley", "addressRegion": "CA", "addressCountry": "US" }, "worksFor": { "@id": "https://fanshenthompson.com/#business" }, "hasCredential": [ { "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "credentialCategory": "License", "identifier": "LCSW #25004", "recognizedBy": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "California Board of Behavioral Sciences" } } ], "knowsAbout": [ "Couples Therapy", "Relationship Therapy", "Sex Therapy", "Individual Therapy", "Intimacy", "Communication", "Attachment", "Sexual Shame", "Desire Discrepancy" ], "sameAs": [ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/fanshen-thompson-lcsw-672425216/", "https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086164215212", "https://pin.it/5enxDfD" ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://fanshenthompson.com/#website", "url": "https://fanshenthompson.com", "name": "Fanshen Thompson, LCSW", "publisher": { "@id": "https://fanshenthompson.com/#business" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://fanshenthompson.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Therapy", "item": "https://fanshenthompson.com/therapy" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sex Therapy", "item": "https://fanshenthompson.com/therapy/sex-therapy" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Service", "serviceType": "Sex Therapy", "provider": { "@id": "https://fanshenthompson.com/#business" }, "areaServed": { "@type": "State", "name": "California" }, "audience": { "@type": "PeopleAudience", "audienceType": "Adults and couples in California seeking sex therapy" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://fanshenthompson.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Therapy", "item": "https://fanshenthompson.com/therapy" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sex Therapy", "item": "https://fanshenthompson.com/therapy/sex-therapy" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": [ "h1", ".faq-question", ".faq-answer" ] }, "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is online sex therapy legal in California?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Fanshen Thompson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW #25004) in good standing with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. California explicitly permits licensed clinicians to provide telehealth therapy — including sex therapy — to clients who are physically located within California at the time of session." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I find a licensed sex therapist for online sessions in the Bay Area?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Fanshen Thompson, LCSW is a Berkeley-based sex therapist serving clients throughout California via secure telehealth. She is Gottman-trained with additional training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS), and works with individuals and couples on desire, intimacy, and connection. You can book a free 20-minute consultation directly through this site." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does Fanshen Thompson accept insurance for sex therapy?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "This is a private-pay practice and Fanshen does not bill insurance directly. Superbills are provided on request so clients can seek out-of-network reimbursement from their insurance provider. If you have a PPO plan, she also works with Mentaya, which can automatically file out-of-network claims on your behalf." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What license does an online sex therapist need to practice in California?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "To provide therapy — including sex therapy — to clients in California, a clinician must hold an active license issued and overseen by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (such as LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, or a licensed psychologist). Fanshen Thompson holds LCSW #25004, and her license can be verified through the state's BreEZe online license lookup system." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What's the difference between sex therapy and couples therapy?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Couples therapy focuses on the overall relationship — communication, conflict, trust, and connection between partners. Sex therapy focuses specifically on sexual concerns such as desire, arousal, intimacy after rupture, sexual communication, and shame. Fanshen offers both, and often the two overlap within the same course of work." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://fanshenthompson.com/therapy/sex-therapy#therapist", "name": "Fanshen Thompson", "honorificSuffix": "LCSW", "jobTitle": "Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Sex Therapist", "url": "https://fanshenthompson.com/therapy/sex-therapy", "areaServed": { "@type": "State", "name": "California" }, "hasCredential": { "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "credentialCategory": "License", "identifier": "LCSW #25004", "name": "Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW #25004)", "recognizedBy": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "California Board of Behavioral Sciences" } } } ] --- [![Fanshen Thompson, LCSW](/assets/logo-mark-DCWEUPFA.png)Fanshen Thompson LCSW ](/) [Home](/)[About](/about) Services Specialties [Approach](/approach/gottman-method)[Notes](/blog)[FAQ](/faq)[Resources](/resources) [Book a Free 20-Minute Consultation](/contact) Sex Therapy Online Sex Therapy in California # For desire, intimacy, and _the conversations no one taught you to have._ Sex therapy for California individuals and couples — body-aware, shame-free, and rooted in real connection. ![Two people holding hands with soft sunlight behind them, suggesting connection and trust.](/assets/editorial-5-DXeIGqhS.jpg) ## Who this is for Individuals and couples who want to bring their sexual lives into the conversation — without shame, without performance, and without pretending the body isn't part of the story. Whether you're navigating mismatched desire, healing after a rupture, or simply wanting more aliveness in your intimate life, sex therapy is a space to slow down and look honestly at what's there. ## What sessions look like Sessions are conversation-based — there is no physical contact and no nudity. We talk about what's happening in your body, your relationships, your history, and your desires. I work somatically and relationally, helping you notice what comes up in real time and try out new ways of being with yourself and your partner. Over time, the shame loosens. The conversation gets easier. The intimacy becomes possible again. Logistics - Weekly 50-minute sessions, online - For individuals and couples - A shame-free, body-aware approach - Grounded in attachment, somatic, and relational frameworks - California residents only Logistics and fit are discussed during your free consultation. What we focus on ## Where the work usually lives. ### Desire & libido Make sense of the gap between wanting to want and actually wanting. ### Intimacy after rupture Rebuild closeness when affairs, dishonesty, or distance have eroded trust. ### Sexual communication Find the words for what you want — and what you don't — without shutting down. ### Mismatched needs Move past the standoff of different desires and rediscover what's possible together. What clients say > In this work, I've watched couples move from circling the same pain to finding language for what was underneath all along — and I've watched individuals come home to themselves in ways that change everything else. — Fanshen Thompson, LCSW Sex therapy FAQ ## Questions people _often ask._ Is online sex therapy legal in California? Yes. Fanshen Thompson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW #25004) in good standing with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. California explicitly permits licensed clinicians to provide telehealth therapy — including sex therapy — to clients who are physically located within California at the time of session. How do I find a licensed sex therapist for online sessions in the Bay Area? Does Fanshen Thompson accept insurance for sex therapy? What license does an online sex therapist need to practice in California? What's the difference between sex therapy and couples therapy? Begin ## Let's start with a free conversation. A 20-minute consultation so we can see if we're a fit — and so you can get a feel for how I work. [Book a Free 20-Minute Consultation](/contact) ![Fanshen Thompson, LCSW logo](/assets/logo-mark-DCWEUPFA.png) Relationship therapy for people who are ready for real change. Licensed Clinical Social Worker · LCSW #25004 [](https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/971893) Affiliations ![Gesher Community Care affiliate provider](/__l5e/assets-v1/7e4684e6-648d-48d4-892e-5c8678e89c88/gesher-community-care.png) Online Therapy Sessions held via secure video for clients across California. Hours Tue–Fri, 9am–6pm PT Contact [fanshen@fanshenthompson.com](mailto:fanshen@fanshenthompson.com)[Book a Free 20-Minute Consultation](/contact) [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/fanshen-thompson-lcsw-672425216/)[](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086164215212)[](https://pin.it/5enxDfD) Explore - [About](/about) - [Therapy](/therapy) - [Therapy for Couples](/therapy/couples) - [Therapy for Individuals](/therapy/individuals) - [Sex Therapy](/therapy/sex-therapy) - [Coaching](/coaching) - [Notes](/blog) - [FAQ](/faq) - [Resources](/resources) - [Relationship Therapy in Berkeley](/relationship-therapy-berkeley) - [Find an Online Sex Therapist](/how-to-find-an-online-sex-therapist) - [Contact](/contact) Specialties - [Infidelity & Affair Recovery](/specialties/infidelity-affair-recovery) - [Desire Discrepancy](/specialties/desire-discrepancy) - [Sexual Shame](/specialties/sexual-shame) - [Communication Breakdown](/specialties/communication-breakdown) - [Anxious Attachment](/specialties/anxious-attachment-couples) - [Parenting Conflict](/specialties/parenting-conflict) In crisis? If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call or text [988](tel:988) (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call [911](tel:911). This site is not a substitute for emergency care. [Privacy](/privacy.html)[Terms](/terms.html)[Cookies](/cookie.html)[Disclosures](/disclaimers.html)[Good Faith Estimate](/good-faith-estimate.html)[Accessibility](/accessibility)[Cookie Settings](/cookie.html) Contacting this practice does not establish a therapist–client relationship. Individual outcomes vary. Nothing on this site guarantees a specific clinical result. © 2026 Fanshen Thompson, LCSW. All rights reserved. Photography by Allison Busch Website by [Automaus.ai](https://automaus.ai) Your privacy matters Functional cookies are required. Analytics and marketing cookies are off by default — you choose. 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