Leeds Psychosexual Medicine (PSM) Service
UPDATE: The Psychosexual Medicine Service temporarily paused to new referrals from 19 August 2026 for three months. During this period, we are unable to process any new referrals, and any referrals received will be declined.
The pause is due to demand significantly exceeding our capacity to assess and treat new patients. We are working with the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board on what a sustainable future looks like for psychosexual medicine for patients across West Yorkshire.
We recognise that psychosexual difficulties can have a significant effect on wellbeing and relationships. If you are concerned about physical or sexual-health symptoms, medication effects, or your emotional wellbeing, please speak to your GP or current treating clinician, who can consider what support may be appropriate while the service is paused. Alternative services may address particular physical, sexual-health or psychological needs, although there is currently no direct local substitute for the specialist Psychosexual Medicine service. Leeds residents experiencing anxiety or depression can also self-refer to the Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service.
If you are a patient or a member of the public with questions about the Leeds Psychosexual Medicine Service, please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service.
If you need urgent help with your mental health, call NHS 111 and select the mental-health option. Call 999 if there is an immediate risk to life.
The Leeds Psychosexual Medicine Service (PSM) offers high quality specialist assessment and treatment to men and women experiencing sexual dysfunction. The team offers therapy to individuals and couples from upwards of 18 years of age and treatment is delivered using a variety of therapeutic approaches, which are tailored to the individual.
We are part of the Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and we are one of the longest established services in the county offering unique medical and psychological treatments for the management of sexual dysfunction.
What is psychosexual therapy?
Psychosexual therapy is a psychological treatment which aims to restore sexual function and associated relationship difficulties that may have developed. The therapy relies on a collaborative approach where the patient and therapist work together to identify and understand problems in the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
Specialist treatments are provided for:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Premature or other ejaculatory disorders
- Orgasmic difficulties
- Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (vaginismus and dyspareunia – pain at the commencement of, during or after intercourse)
- Problems of libido – reduced sexual drive/interest
- Sexual arousal problems
- Specific sexual aversions or phobias
What to expect
We draw on a range of therapy models in the Psychosexual Medicine Service including; cognitive and behavioural approaches, hypnosis, psychodynamic techniques and psychoeducation.
Your initial appointment with us will include a detailed assessment, focusing on specific sexual and relationship problems.
Patients then undertake a specifically designed treatment programme that will include regular therapy sessions and exercises to do at home. You will never be asked to undertake a sexual task in session.
Our treatment commonly addresses thoughts, attitudes and behaviours and requires you to make considerable commitment to take part in and complete “homework” tasks with regular meetings with the therapist. These are usually held fortnightly to every three-weeks.
We are not a prescribing service, however we may recommend medication and sexual aids which should be provided by your GP.
What we do
The Psychosexual Medicine Service aims to provide the best possible treatment intervention for sexual problems to individuals and couples.
Our goal is to:
- Provide high quality evidence based therapy interventions
- Measure outcomes to demonstrate the quality and effectiveness of the interventions we provide
- Champion sexual and relationship wellness in the context of mental health
- Operate an inclusive service for people experiencing sexual dysfunction
The team is made up of a range of clinicians including Psychosexual Therapists, Senior Psychosexual Therapists.
All our therapists have a postgraduate qualification in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy. They are accredited psychosexual psychotherapists with the Collage of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT) and are registered psychosexual psychotherapists with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) or British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
The service also offers a training center for psychosexual therapy.
Unfortunately due to current capacity we are unable to offer placements.
Referral information and criteria
The Psychosexual Medicine Service temporarily paused to new referrals from 19 August 2026 for three months.
During this period, we are unable to process any new referrals, and any referrals received will be declined.
The pause is due to demand significantly exceeding our capacity to assess and treat new patients. We are working with the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board on what a sustainable future looks like for psychosexual medicine for patients across West Yorkshire.
Any queries about this from members of the public should be directed to our Patient Advice and Liaison Service.
Useful websites and resources
www.cosrt.org.uk – A professional body for sex therapists.
www.stopso.org.uk – An organisation that aims to prevent addictive behaviours and sexual offending through therapy.
www.atsac.co.uk – Association for the Treatment of Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity.
www.bacp.co.uk – A professional body for counselling and psychotherapy, including register of therapists.
www.samaritans.org – For those struggling to cope and who need support to prevent crisis.
www.lgbt.foundation – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender information and support.
www.mesmac.co.uk – Provides a wide range of services including free, rapid HIV testing, condoms, lubrication and counselling.
supportafterrapeleeds.org.uk/ – Dedicated Rape Crisis Centre for all women and girls in Leeds affected by rape and sexual violence.
www.vaginismusawareness.com for information and support for vaginismus
www.vulvalpainsociety.org/vpsResources for practical advice and information about vulva pain
www.sexualadviceassociation.co.uk aims to help improve the sexual health and wellbeing of men and women and raise awareness of the extent to which sexual problems affect the general population
www.nhs.uk/conditions/Erectiledysfunction/Pages/Introduction.aspx for information about erectile dysfuntion
Opening hours and appointment information
Appointments are available Tuesday – Friday between the hours of 8am and 4pm.
We currently offer a blended model of virtual appointments via Microsoft Teams and some face to face appointments. Patients have a choice over which kind of appointment they would prefer and have a choice between female and male therapists. This will be discussed when you first make contact with the service.
For virtual appointments, please make sure that you are in a private place to make your call. Do not have people in the room with you unless this is a joint session. For all appointments please note sessions cannot take place if children are present.
Page last updated: 25th Aug 2026 11:27am