Laura Weichert, Intern Therapist

Laura Weichert (Intern Therapist)

Hi! My name is Laura (she/her), and I am an intern therapist at The Center for Growth, seeing clients from January 2026 through March 2027. I’m currently earning my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy through Northwestern University’s online program and have completed Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy.

I focus on sex and intimacy through a relational lens, with the belief that sexual concerns are rarely just about mechanics or performance. Sex is rarely just about sex.

Concerns like low desire, erectile dysfunction, difficulty reaching orgasm or feeling disconnected from your body often carry layers of meaning beneath the surface. They can touch self-esteem, identity, stress, trust, past experiences, and the emotional climate of a relationship. As a marriage and family therapy intern, I approach sex therapy with the understanding that intimacy lives inside a much larger system that is shaped by relationships, history, culture, life transitions, and so much more.

I work with individuals and couples who want a space to talk openly about sex without shame, pressure, or judgment. Many clients arrive feeling stuck, frustrated, embarrassed, or worried something is “wrong” with them or their relationship. My role is not to prescribe a one-size-fits-all solution, but to help you understand what’s happening, name what hasn’t been said, and move toward a more confident and connected experience of intimacy.

A relational approach to sex therapy

As a marriage and family therapy intern, I start by looking at sex in context. Sexual concerns don’t exist in a vacuum. They’re influenced by emotional connection, communication patterns, stress levels, life stages, family beliefs about sex, and previous relational experiences. In our work together, we will slow things down and get curious about how all of these pieces interact.

Our beliefs about sex come from somewhere. They are shaped over time by family messages, cultural norms, religion, media, gender expectations, and early relational experiences. Many clients are surprised to realize how much these influences still live in their bodies and relationships, even when they no longer consciously agree with them. We will take time to gently unpack these layers and understand how they may be affecting desire, confidence, communication, or comfort with intimacy in your daily life.

We will also be paying close attention to how sexual concerns are embedded in broader relational patterns. For example, difficulty with intimacy may show up alongside conflict avoidance, people-pleasing, resentment, or emotional disconnection. Performance anxiety or pressure around sex often mirrors pressure clients experience elsewhere in their lives. Rather than isolating sex as the “problem,” we will explore how it fits into the larger system and what it may be communicating.

This approach helps shift the narrative from “something is wrong with me or my partner” to “this makes sense given what we’ve lived through or what we’re going through.” When sexual concerns are understood in context, shame softens, curiosity grows, and new possibilities open up. From there, we can work intentionally toward change that feels sustainable, respectful, and aligned with who you are and how you want to relate to yourself or your partner. 

Therapy with me is collaborative and strengths-based. You bring the expertise on your body, your relationship, and your lived experience. I bring clinical training, a relational lens, and tools to help make sense of what’s happening. Together, we work at a pace that feels manageable and respectful, especially when topics feel vulnerable or hard to talk about.

Common concerns I work with

I support individuals and couples navigating a wide range of sexual and intimacy concerns, including:

• Erectile dysfunction and performance anxiety, particularly when confidence or self-trust has been shaken
• Low or fluctuating desire, mismatched libido, or changes in sexual interest over time
• Difficulty reaching orgasm, delayed orgasm, or feeling disconnected from pleasure
• Body image concerns and self-esteem issues that interfere with intimacy
• Shame, anxiety, or pressure around sex
• Communication about needs, boundaries, fantasies, or preferences
• Rebuilding sexual connection after infidelity, betrayal, or emotional distance
• Sex and intimacy after major life transitions such as parenthood, illness, stress, or loss.
• Exploring sexual identity, curiosity, or changing desires in a safe, affirming space

For many people, sexual struggles bring up fears about rejection, inadequacy, or loss of connection. Therapy becomes a place to untangle those fears, understand where they came from, and build a more grounded relationship with yourself and your partner.

Sex after rupture or betrayal

Sex often shifts after an affair or breach of trust. Some couples feel pressure to “get back to normal,” while others avoid intimacy altogether out of fear or resentment. I work with couples to slow down this process, understand how trust and safety were impacted, and explore what intimacy needs to look like now, not what it used to be.

This work often involves helping partners communicate more honestly about desire, boundaries, and emotional safety, while also making space for grief, anger, and uncertainty. Sexual reconnection is not a linear process, and therapy can help couples move forward in a way that feels intentional rather than forced.

What sex therapy feels like with me

Clients often describe me as warm, grounded, and easy to talk to, even about topics that feel awkward at first. I am direct when helpful, but always respectful. I believe therapy should feel like a real, human relationship where you don’t have to censor yourself or perform.

I am not a blank slate. I show up engaged and present, with curiosity and care. We might use humor, metaphors, or gentle challenges when appropriate. My goal is for sessions to feel productive but also relieving, like you can exhale and say the things you haven’t known how to put into words.

Sex therapy is not about chasing perfection or meeting some external standard. It’s about understanding what intimacy means to you, how you want to relate to your body and your partner, and what feels aligned with your values.

Clinical foundations

My therapy work is informed by a systemic and integrative approach, drawing from models such as:

• Systemic and Relational Therapy: to understand how sexual concerns are shaped by relationships and context
• Gottman Method (Level 1 training): to support communication, emotional connection, and trust in couples
• Narrative Therapy: to explore the stories clients have learned about sex, desire, identity, and relationships, and to help separate people from problems that may be shaping their experience
• Emotionally Focused Therapy: to help partners feel safer and more emotionally attuned
• Attachment-based work, to explore how early experiences influence intimacy and vulnerability
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: to address anxiety, self-criticism, and unhelpful thought patterns around sex
• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: to build realistic, confidence-building steps forward

My work is sex-positive, consent-focused, and affirming of LGBTQ+ identities and diverse relationship structures.

Background and hobbies

I grew up in Ohio and earned my B.A. from The Ohio State University in Strategic Communication with a minor in Psychology. After graduating, I moved to New York City and worked as a creative copywriter in the advertising world. I loved the storytelling and creativity that work required, but over time, I found myself pulled back toward my original passion- supporting people through meaningful change. That led me to apply to Northwestern University’s Marriage and Family Therapy master’s program, where I’m now continuing my clinical training.

My writing background still shows up in my therapeutic work. I enjoy thinking creatively and out-of-the-box in session. I love to explore metaphors, give journaling prompts, use narrative techniques, and interventions that feel tailored and unique to you and your situation. 

Outside the therapy room, you can usually find me out running or walking my dog, trying a new restaurant, or experimenting with a new recipe in the kitchen. I also love slow days curled up with a book or movie on the couch. Rest is productive too! It’s a big part of the work we will do together.

Final thoughts

Talking about sex can feel intimidating, especially if you’ve been carrying confusion, shame, or silence for a long time. You don’t need to have the right language or a clear goal to start. Many clients come in simply knowing that something feels off.

Sex therapy is a space to understand yourself better, strengthen emotional and physical connection, and move toward intimacy that feels authentic and sustainable. Wherever you’re starting from, we’ll meet there and take it one step at a time.

If this approach resonates with you, I would love to work together.