Erectile dysfunction counsellingEase the pressure, rebuild confidence.
Few things are harder to bring up than a problem in the bedroom. Many men live with erectile difficulties for months or years before saying a word, sometimes not even to their partner.
Online in English, with a therapist from our team, wherever you live · Sessions in Greek are with Matina Ladikou.
Each session lasts 45 minutes and costs 70 €. All fees
At Art of Mind, a centre founded by psychotherapist Matina LadikouAt a glance
- Format
- Online by video on Google Meet, 45-minute sessions.
- Who you work with
- A therapist from our team, in English. In Greek, Matina Ladikou.
- Getting started
- Send an enquiry; we reply within 24 hours.
There is help
You don’t have to face this on your own
Meanwhile, worry about the next time can start to dominate intimacy, and avoiding sex can feel easier than risking another disappointment. If you are reading this page, you have already taken a step that many people put off for a long time.
At Art of Mind, a psychotherapy centre founded in Patras, Greece in 2019, our therapists offer online counselling in English for the psychological side of erectile difficulties. We work alongside doctors: a medical check comes first, and counselling then addresses the stress, anxiety and relationship factors that so often play a part.
First, a medical check
Before anything else, we encourage you to see a doctor. The NHS notes that while occasional erection problems are usually nothing to worry about, frequent problems can be linked to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or hormone problems, and that some medicines can also cause them (NHS). A review of erectile difficulties in fit and healthy young men makes a similar point: these difficulties are often dismissed in younger men without any medical assessment, when organic, psychological and relational factors can all contribute and may each need attention (Rastrelli & Maggi, 2017).
A medical check is not a sign that the problem is "only physical". It simply means that you and your therapist can work on the psychological side with confidence that nothing important has been missed. Counselling and medical treatment often work well together.
The psychological side of erectile difficulties
Erections depend on a delicate balance between the body and the mind. Stress, fatigue and anxiety all affect the nervous system in ways that can make arousal harder, and once one difficult experience has happened, a powerful cycle can begin:
- A man experiences a problem, perhaps during a stressful week or after drinking.
- Next time, he is watching himself anxiously rather than being present with his partner.
- That self-monitoring and worry make arousal harder, so the problem happens again.
- Confidence drops, anticipation rises, and intimacy starts to feel like a test.
This is often called performance anxiety, and it can keep difficulties going long after the original trigger has passed. Other psychological contributors include depression and anxiety more generally, relationship tension, unspoken resentment, pressure around trying to conceive, past negative sexual experiences, and beliefs about what a "real man" should be able to do. The NHS lists depression and anxiety among possible causes and notes that counselling or therapy can help when emotional or mental health issues are involved (NHS).
What the research says
What research tells us
A meta-analysis of randomised trials involving 398 men found evidence that group psychological therapy improved erectile difficulties, and that men who received psychotherapy alongside sildenafil showed significant improvement and were less likely to drop out than men who received sildenafil alone (Melnik et al., 2008). The number of trials was modest, and the authors noted contradictory findings in earlier literature, so this is promising evidence rather than a final word.
A global review of prevalence found reported rates ranging widely, from 3% to 76.5%, with differences driven by age and by the screening tools used (Kessler et al., 2019). The same review linked erectile difficulties with cardiovascular disease, which is another reason a medical check matters.
Our approach
How our therapists work
Our therapists take an evidence-informed, integrative approach, combining practical methods with an understanding of the person and the relationship. Depending on your situation, counselling may include:
Understanding your pattern
When difficulties happen, when they do not, and what thoughts and feelings surround them.
Reducing performance pressure
Shifting attention away from monitoring and towards sensation and connection, often through gradual, low-pressure exercises agreed with you.
Working with anxious thoughts
Drawing on CBT techniques where helpful to notice and question catastrophic predictions and harsh self-judgements.
Stress and lifestyle
Looking at sleep, work pressure, alcohol and general wellbeing.
Communication
Finding words to talk with a partner about desire, worry and what helps, if you have a partner and want to involve them.
Wider emotional health
Addressing depression, anxiety or relationship difficulties that may be feeding the problem.
We cannot promise a specific result, and progress is often gradual. We review with you regularly how things are going, and we work alongside your doctor if medical treatment is part of the plan.
Online, by video
Beginning online counselling
Send a short enquiry
Use our enquiry form and include your time zone and usual availability. A brief line such as "counselling for a sexual health concern" is enough; please keep the details for your session. We reply within 24 hours.
Arrange your first session
Sessions in English are with a therapist from our centre, online via Google Meet, Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 21:00 Athens time. You join from a private space of your choosing.
Your first session
Your therapist will ask about your health, any medical checks you have had, your relationship situation and what you would like to change, then agree an initial plan with you.
Ongoing work
Sessions last 45 minutes, at 70 € per 45-minute session. See pricing for more information.
Online therapy has a growing evidence base: a 2023 meta-analysis of 20 randomised trials found telemedicine comparable to in-person treatment for efficacy, satisfaction and drop-out across mood, anxiety and trauma-related conditions (Shaker et al., 2023). For many people, discussing intimate concerns from home also feels more comfortable.
Is it time?
When to seek help
Consider seeing a doctor, and then a therapist, if:
- erection difficulties keep happening rather than occurring occasionally;
- you are avoiding intimacy because of worry about performance;
- the problem is affecting your mood, confidence or relationship;
- you notice low mood, anxiety or heavy drinking alongside it.
Seek urgent medical care for any sudden, painful or worrying physical symptoms, such as chest pain. If you are struggling emotionally and feel unsafe, please seek immediate help. Online counselling is not an emergency service.
If you need urgent help. In an emergency call 112. In Greece you can also call 1018 (suicide prevention) or 10306 (mental-health support). For helplines in your country, see findahelpline.com.
If you need urgent help
In an emergency call 112. In Greece you can also call 1018 (suicide prevention) or 10306 (mental-health support). For helplines in your country, see findahelpline.com.
Our founder
Art of Mind, founded by Matina Ladikou
A centre where you can talk without fear of judgement, at your own pace.
Matina Ladikou, psychotherapist and founder of Art of Mind, set up the centre in Patras, Greece, in 2019. Sessions in English are with a therapist from our team; sessions in Greek are with Matina, and you can book Greek sessions directly.
We don’t promise a “guaranteed” or “instant” result; we offer a space of trust and work at your own pace.
Trained in Biothymic Psychotherapy and Clinical Hypnosis, in Mental Health Counselling and in NLP, with an MSc in Criminology from Panteion University.
About Matina and the centreNext step
Enquire about a session
Talking about it is often the hardest part, and you can start with a single short message. Tell us when you are available, and we will reply within 24 hours.
Related pages: sexual health counselling · anxiety therapy · marriage counselling · pricing
Before you start
Frequently asked questions
Should I see a doctor before starting counselling?
Yes, we recommend it. Erection problems can be linked to treatable physical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or hormone problems, and to some medicines. A medical check comes first, and counselling then works on the psychological side, alongside any treatment your doctor suggests.
How do I know whether the cause is psychological?
Often it is a mix. Clues that psychological factors are playing a part include difficulties that appear mainly in certain situations, start after a stressful period, or come with strong worry about performance. Only a medical assessment can rule out physical causes, which is why we encourage one.
Can counselling help even if I am taking medication for erections?
It can. A 2008 meta-analysis found that men who received psychological therapy alongside medication showed significant improvement and were less likely to drop out of treatment than men who received medication alone. Medication decisions stay with your doctor.
Can my partner join the sessions?
Yes, if you both want that. Some people prefer to start on their own and invite a partner later; others prefer joint sessions from the beginning. We discuss what suits you at the first session.
Is it awkward to talk about this online?
Many people find it easier from their own space. Your therapist is used to these conversations, will use plain, respectful language, and will never push you to share more than you are ready to.