About Your Denver-Based Couples Counselor and Sex Therapist
Marina Stanton, LMFT, CST
Where are you located?
I am licensed to provide sex therapy, marriage counseling, and online therapy in several states. Click on the state you reside in to find out more about how I can serve you online or in-person.
You’re not asking for too much.
You just want a relationship that feels connected again.
Maybe you've tried talking more, having more sex, or doing everything “right,” but you're still stuck in the same frustrating patterns. You're tired of feeling like roommates instead of partners. You want to feel close again, but you’re not sure how to get there… and honestly, finding a good therapist feels like just one more exhausting chore.
You don’t need more surface-level advice. You need someone who gets it. Someone who can handle the depth of what you’re going through without judgment or fluff. That’s where I come in.
I’m not the nod-and-smile type. I’m direct, warm, and I know how to help motivated couples untangle the stuck places in their relationship, especially when sex, intimacy, and faith are part of the tension.
Finding a good marriage therapist is HARD! Believe me, I know!
I see finding a therapist like dating: you have to connect! Finding a couples counselor is even trickier, as you BOTH need to feel heard, understood, and seen.
I felt a bit like goldilocks when I tried to get help from three different couples therapists: the first one told me our relationship problems would be fixed if we just prayed. The second chose sides (not helpful!). And the third didn’t seem to have any theoretical basis for what they did.
I decided I want to be the kind of couples counselor I WISH I had!
Communication, Intimacy, & Values: We Can Talk About It All
Hi, I’m Marina Stanton, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist. I provide relationship and sex therapy for individuals and couples across Colorado, Texas, Utah, Idaho and Washington. I also see clients in person at my Centennial, Colorado office.
You might be searching for a female sex therapist because you’re looking for someone who really gets what it means to talk about sex, without shame, awkwardness, or judgment. Someone who can hold the seriousness of your pain but still help you laugh a little along the way. That’s what I aim to bring to the therapy room: clarity, compassion, challenge, and a sense of humor.
I’m Trauma-Informed, Relational, and Direct, with a Bit of Humor Thrown In
Why I’m became a couples counselor and sex therapist
I became a couples counselor and sex therapist because I don’t want others to struggle like I did. I was excited for marriage and intimacy, but quickly discovered how unprepared I was despite all the books, advice, and personal growth work I had done. That disconnect fueled a passion in me: to help people create healthy, connected sexual relationships that reflect their values and feel authentic.
I know what it’s like to be in a relationship that no longer feels like the one you started with. I’ve been on the brink. And I know what it takes to do the deep, sometimes uncomfortable work to bring a relationship back to life. That’s why I do this work- with heart, empathy, and a healthy dose of straight talk.
I celebrated my 18th wedding anniversary, and haven’t been happier.
What Makes My Approach Different?
I’m not just here to validate your pain. I’m here to help you grow. I use the Developmental Model of Couple Therapy, which focuses on emotional maturity, differentiation, and developing the ability to stay connected even when it’s hard. I believe that real change happens when both partners can be honest, take responsibility, and work toward shared goals.
I assign meaningful homework between sessions to help you make progress outside the therapy room. And because my brain works in pictures, I use analogies and simple visuals to explain complex ideas in ways that actually stick. Therapy with me is a mix of warmth, challenge, clarity, and tools you can actually use.
My Approach to Therapy as a Female Sex Therapist
As an AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist, I’ve completed advanced training in sexual health and intimacy. This credential matters because while many therapists talk about sex, few have the specific training to address it thoroughly and sensitively. (In most states, any therapist can call themselves a sex therapist without specialized credentials. AASECT certification shows that I’ve gone above and beyond.)
I help clients navigate:
Low or mismatched desire
Painful or unsatisfying sex
Religious shame or sexual anxiety
Communication struggles around intimacy
Feeling “stuck” in disconnected cycles
Whether you're navigating a sexless marriage, struggling after kids, or healing from past trauma, I’ll meet you where you are without pressure, shame, or assumptions.
What it’s like to work with me
I love to travel, love Harry Potter, and love to travel FOR Harry Potter!
I believe in fun, holidays, and helping couples remember why they fell in love in the first place.
I’m trauma-informed. Trauma doesn’t just live in the past, it shows up in your relationships today.
I’ve been married for 18 years, have lived in 5 states, and have two kids, have two masters degrees, and was a SAHM for 5 years. I know firsthand the emotional labor of relationships!
I specialize in working with religiously conservative and faith-based clients, and those in mixed-faith marriages.
Who I Work Best With
I work best with motivated individuals and couples who are ready to be honest with themselves and each other. My clients are willing to look at how their past experiences show up in the present, and are open to doing the work, not just in session, but between sessions, too.
You don’t have to be “in crisis” to reach out. In fact, many of my clients seek therapy not because they’re falling apart, but because they care enough to want something better.
In-Person Couples and Sex Therapy in Centennial, Colorado
Prefer to meet face-to-face? My Centennial office offers a warm, private space for in-person therapy, conveniently located just off I-25 and C-470. Whether you’re coming from Denver, Lone Tree, Parker, Highlands Ranch, or Littleton, you’ll find easy access, ample parking, and a cozy waiting area with drinks.
Not local? No problem. I’m licensed in Colorado, Utah, Texas, Idaho and Washington, and I work with clients across all four states through secure, HIPAA-compliant video sessions. You can get expert support for your relationship no matter where you live.
Online and In-Person Relationship Counseling Services
Serving Clients in Colorado, Texas, Utah, Idaho and Washington
While my practice is based in Colorado, I’m also licensed in Texas, Utah, Idaho and Washington, so whether you're nearby or across state lines, we can still work together. I offer online marriage counseling and sex therapy that meets you where you are (literally).
Credentials and Certifications
Counseling Training
Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy, East Carolina University
Masters of Science in Clinical Health Psychology, East Carolina University
Bachelor of Science, Brigham Young University
Professional Memberships
American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT)
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)
Professional Certifications
Certified Sex Therapist from the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)
Certified in Sexual Health from the University of Michigan’s Social Work Program
Ready to Reconnect?
Improving your relationship is serious work, but therapy doesn’t have to feel heavy all the time. I bring humor, honesty, and real tools to every session, so you can make meaningful progress and breathe a little easier while doing it.
If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start reconnecting, let’s talk.
Frequently Asked Questions About Working With Me
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Working with a female sex therapist can feel different, especially if you’ve experienced shame, discomfort, or judgment around sex. My clients often tell me they appreciate my mix of directness, warmth, and irreverent humor. I create a space where it’s safe to talk about the things you’ve never said out loud, whether it’s mismatched desire, sexual shame, performance anxiety, or feeling like roommates in your relationship.
As a woman, I bring lived insight into how gender roles, body image, and cultural messaging can impact sexual connection. I also work with all genders and orientations and tailor my approach based on your story, not a one-size-fits-all model.
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When it comes to couples therapy focused on sex and intimacy, the gender of your therapist can influence how safe and understood you feel in sessions. Working with a female sex therapist often brings a unique perspective on relationship dynamics, especially around emotional labor, communication styles, and gendered expectations in intimacy.
As a female therapist, I’m attuned to how societal messages about femininity and masculinity impact both partners differently. Many couples find that having a female therapist helps balance the conversation, especially if one or both partners have experienced shame, judgment, or dismissal around sexual concerns in previous therapy or life experiences.
That said, the most important thing is that both partners feel heard and respected. I create a space where all voices matter equally and work to uncover how each partner’s experience and identity shapes the relationship. If you’re curious about whether working with me would be a good fit for your couple, I’m happy to chat during a free consultation.
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Not at all. Many of my clients come from religious or conservative backgrounds, but you don’t need to be religious to explore your values in therapy. Whether you want to reconnect with your values, make peace with your faith, or simply understand how your upbringing shaped your relationship with sex and intimacy, I’m here to support your process without pushing an agenda.
If you want to bring your beliefs into the room, we will. If you don’t, we won’t. My goal is to help you build a sexual and relational life that aligns with what matters most to you.
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Every person brings a unique set of values, and I see those as central to good therapy. Whether you’re trying to honor commitments, raise kids with intention, deconstruct harmful beliefs, or rebuild trust in your relationship, we’ll ground our work in what’s meaningful to you.
That might include conversations about emotional safety, sexual ethics, spiritual identity, or personal integrity. I won’t tell you what your values should be. I help you get clear on what they are, so you can live and love in alignment with them.
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You’re not alone. Many clients come to me feeling nervous or embarrassed because they’ve never had open, honest conversations about sex, even with their partner. My job is to make it feel possible, even if it’s uncomfortable at first.
We’ll go at your pace, with no pressure and no assumptions. I use visuals, analogies, and plain language to make complex topics easier to talk about. You can expect honesty, empathy, and practical tools, not clinical jargon or canned advice.
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No. While I love working with couples, I also work with individuals who want to explore their sexual identity, address pain or trauma, build confidence, or prepare for a healthier relationship. Whether you're partnered or solo, there’s value in exploring your relational patterns, sexual history, and emotional landscape.
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Yes. If you don’t live near Denver or in Colorado, we can still work together online. I’m licensed to provide sex therapy, marriage counseling, and online therapy in Colorado, Texas, Utah, and Washington. We can meet virtually from wherever you are, whether that’s your living room, your parked car, or your office during a break.
My online sessions are just as intentional, connected, and productive as in-person therapy. I use secure, HIPAA-compliant video platforms, and many of my clients appreciate the flexibility and privacy of virtual sessions. Therapy shouldn’t depend on where you live, and I’m here to support you no matter your location.