Frequently asked Questions
Do you offer virtual therapy throughout California?
Yes. Dr. Karen Stewart is licensed in California and provides secure virtual therapy for individuals and couples throughout the state.
Do you offer in-person therapy?
Please contact the office for current availability regarding in-person services and locations.
What types of clients do you work with?
Dr. Stewart works with individuals and couples experiencing relationship concerns, intimacy challenges, anxiety, life transitions, communication difficulties, infidelity, sexual concerns, and personal growth issues.
What is sex therapy?
Sex therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy that helps individuals and couples address concerns related to intimacy, desire, sexual functioning, communication, and relationship satisfaction.
Sex therapy does not involve any physical contact or sexual activity during sessions. Conversations focus on education, communication, emotional connection, and evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
What issues can sex therapy help with?
Sex therapy can help with:
- Low desire
- Addiction
- Mismatched libido
- Sexual dysfunction
- Difficulty communicating about sex
- Intimacy concerns
- Performance anxiety
- Sexual pain
- Infidelity recovery
- Compulsive sexual behavior
- Relationship dissatisfaction
What is couples therapy?
Couples therapy helps partners improve communication, resolve conflict, rebuild trust, strengthen emotional connection, and create healthier relationship patterns.
Couples often seek therapy to improve their relationship before problems become overwhelming.
Can therapy help after an affair?
Yes.
Many couples successfully rebuild trust and strengthen their relationship following infidelity. Therapy provides a structured environment to process the betrayal, improve communication, establish accountability, and create a path toward healing.
Do you offer therapeutic disclosure?
Yes.
Dr. Stewart works with couples navigating infidelity, compulsive sexual behavior, and betrayal trauma. Therapeutic disclosure provides a structured and professionally guided process for sharing important information while prioritizing emotional safety and relationship healing.
Do you work with sexual addiction or compulsive sexual behavior?
Yes.
Dr. Stewart works with individuals and couples impacted by compulsive sexual behavior, pornography concerns, secrecy, betrayal, and related relationship challenges. Treatment focuses on understanding underlying factors, developing healthier coping strategies, and supporting long-term recovery.
Do you work with polyamorous, open, or non-traditional relationships?
Yes.
Dr. Stewart works with individuals and couples from diverse relationship structures, including ethical non-monogamy, polyamory, open relationships, and alternative lifestyles.
Therapy is provided from a non-judgmental, affirming, and evidence-based perspective.
Are you kink-aware?
Yes.
Dr. Stewart provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals and couples involved in kink, BDSM, and alternative relationship dynamics.
What is betrayal trauma?
Betrayal trauma refers to the emotional impact experienced by a partner following infidelity, deception, compulsive sexual behavior, or significant breaches of trust.
Therapy can help individuals process the trauma, regulate emotions, and begin rebuilding a sense of safety and trust.
Can therapy help with anxiety and stress?
Absolutely.
Many clients seek therapy for anxiety, stress, burnout, perfectionism, life transitions, and emotional overwhelm. Therapy can help individuals develop practical tools while gaining deeper insight into the factors contributing to distress.
Do you work with executives, professionals, and high-achieving individuals?
Yes.
Many of Dr. Stewart's clients are professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, physicians, attorneys, business owners, investors, and other high-achieving individuals seeking greater balance, stronger relationships, and improved emotional well-being.
She also works with affluent individuals, family business leaders, public figures, entertainment professionals, and those navigating the unique pressures that often accompany success, wealth, leadership, and visibility. Common concerns include work-life balance, relationship strain, burnout, trust issues, major life transitions, family dynamics, intimacy challenges, and the emotional impact of carrying significant personal and professional responsibilities.
Therapy provides a confidential, non-judgmental space to address these concerns, strengthen relationships, and create a more fulfilling and sustainable path forward.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes.
Confidentiality is one of the foundations of psychotherapy. Information shared during sessions is protected by law, with limited exceptions required by legal and ethical guidelines. Please contact the office directly for additional information on preserving your confidentiality in office and virtually.
How long does therapy take?
The length of therapy varies depending on your goals, circumstances, and the issues being addressed.
Some clients seek short-term support for a specific concern, while others benefit from longer-term therapeutic work focused on deeper growth and transformation.
How do I get started?
Getting started is simple.
Contact the office to schedule an initial consultation. Together, you will discuss your concerns, goals, and determine whether working together is the right fit.
