Good sexual health is more than preventing STIs (sexually transmitted infections) or choosing the right contraception. Relationships, emotions and your sexuality all matter too. 

If you feel confused or worried about any part of your sexual wellbeing, it can help to talk to a trained professional. 

A session with a specialist sexual health promotion practitioner is confidential and free. All our practitioners have had expert training. They will not judge you and can give the support you need to make the best choices about your sexual wellbeing. They can also refer you on for other local support. 

Our practitioners can help if you need support and advice about any aspect of your sexual health, whatever your age, gender or sexuality. 

Perhaps you:

  • feel confused about your sexuality
  • frequently have unprotected sex and need advice on reducing your risk of STIs
  • find it hard to talk to your partner about sex
  • feel like you cannot open up to friends and family about sex and relationships
  • need advice on using condoms 
  • have concerns about STIs
  • want to explore your contraception options

Appointments often last for around one hour, but sometimes they are shorter than this. We can offer you up to 8 one-to-one sessions and you can use as many or as few of these as you like. 

We can arrange to meet face-to-face at a safe and convenient location. Or we also offer online or telephone chats if that suits you better. You just need to find somewhere quiet and private to talk. 

In the first session, we will talk about your goals for the sessions and work out what you want to get out of them.

If you are under 18, we’ll also do some safeguarding checks to make sure you’re happy and healthy.

What happens at your sessions is up to you. You might chat with your practitioner or do an activity depending on what you need.

All our one-to-ones are confidential. We would only talk to someone else is if we were worried about your safety and need help from another professional. We would always discuss this with you first and give you all the support you need.

Email us at dchst.requestshpsupport@nhs.net and we will try to get back to you within 4 working days.

If you need more urgent support, please contact our information and booking line on 0800 328 3383 (Monday to Friday).