A Guide for Healthcare Providers Referring for Sexual Health & Relationship Care
Not all Valentine’s Day problems can be solved with chocolate.
For healthcare providers, Valentine’s Day often coincides with a quieter—but very real—uptick in concerns related to intimacy, desire, sexual pain, relationship strain, and distress. These concerns don’t always arrive neatly packaged as “sexual problems.” They show up as mood changes, avoidance, frustration, grief, physical symptoms, or a vague sense that something is off.
And yet, despite how common these concerns are, sexual health remains one of the most under-assessed areas of healthcare.
At Tri Health Clinic, this gap is exactly where we work.
Sexual Health Is Health and Avoiding It Comes at a Cost
Research consistently shows that patients are waiting for healthcare providers to ask about sex. At the same time, providers often hesitate, because sexual health receives limited coverage in training, and opening the conversation can feel risky when you’re not sure where it might lead.
This mismatch has consequences.
Sexual difficulties are frequently intertwined with:
- mood and anxiety disorders
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medication effects
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hormonal changes
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chronic illness
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pain conditions
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fertility challenges
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trauma
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relationship stress
When sexual health is left out of assessment and care, clinically meaningful information is missed, and patients often assume their concerns aren’t legitimate or appropriate to raise.
You don’t need to be a sex therapist to ask about sex.
But you do need a trusted place to refer when concerns move beyond your scope.
Who We Are: A Psychology-Led Centre of Excellence in Sexual Health
Tri Health Clinic is a multidisciplinary psychotherapy practice specializing in sex and couples therapy, with in-person services in Kingston and virtual care across Ontario.
We are psychology-led, owned and directed by Dr. Jenn Bossio, C.Psych, and supported by a team of excellent clinicians, including psychologists, registered psychotherapists, social workers, and nurse psychotherapists.
Sexual health is not an add-on in our clinic. It is our core area of expertise.
Why Healthcare Providers Refer to Tri Health Clinic
1. Psychology Ownership and C.Psych-Led Supervision
Tri Health Clinic is owned by a clinical psychologist, and our model is built around C.Psych leadership, consultation, and supervision.
Many of our clinicians work under formal supervision, ensuring that care is:
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evidence-based
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ethically grounded
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conceptually sound
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and appropriately documented
For referrers, this offers reassurance that complex sexual health cases are being handled within a strong psychological and risk-managed framework.
2. Deep, Career-Long Expertise in Sexual Health
Dr. Bossio has spent her entire career focused on sexual health, including:
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laboratory-based sexual health research with men and women
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advanced clinical training in sexual dysfunction, desire, and couples therapy
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three years doing highly focused sexual health training at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, including a post-doctoral fellowship in Dr. Lori Brotto’s UBC Sexual Health Research Lab, the BC Center for Vulvlar Health, UBC Sexual Medicine, UBC’s Department of Urology
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designing, implementing, and evaluating novel treatments for sexual difficulties
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extensive work with men with erectile dysfunction and couples navigating prostate cancer through the Prostate Cancer Supportive Care (PCSC) Program within UBC’s Department of Urology
This depth of expertise informs the culture of the entire clinic.
We do not rely on trends, oversimplified narratives, or social-media-driven advice. Our work is grounded in research, clinical experience, and a nuanced understanding of bodies, relationships, and context.
3. Thoughtful, Fast Matching — Not a Referral Black Hole
One of the most common concerns we hear from referrers is:
“I don’t want my patient to wait months or end up with the wrong therapist.”
We agree!
Tri Health Clinic has a dedicated intake coordinator whose role is to ensure that referrals are handled promptly and matched carefully. Our matching process considers:
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the client’s presenting concerns
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relational and medical context
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identity and lived experience
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therapist training, strengths, and clinical interests
- client’s preferred schedule and format (in person or virtual care)
Our goal is to book an intake within approximately one week, whenever possible and to match clients well the first time.
A Truly Multidisciplinary Team in Sexual Health
Sexual health concerns rarely fit into a single discipline.
Our team includes psychologists, registered psychotherapists, social workers, and nurse psychotherapists, allowing us to support clients dealing with:
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sexual pain and pelvic health concerns
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desire discrepancies
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erectile dysfunction
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fertility-related distress
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cancer and chronic illness
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trauma and shame
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relationship conflict and communication breakdowns
Our clinicians learn from one another, train together, and collaborate within a shared evidence-based framework, which benefits both clients and referrers.
Supporting Healthcare Providers — Not Just Their Patients
Tri Health Clinic is also committed to supporting healthcare providers who want to feel more confident addressing sexual health.
Dr. Bossio has provided sexual health education and training to physicians, allied health professionals, and mental health clinicians, including work with the UBC School of Medicine.
If you’re a provider who recognizes limitations in your sexual health training (which is true for most providers), we offer consultation and education designed to help you:
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ask about sex more comfortably
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understand common sexual health concerns
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know when and how to refer appropriately
Sexual health conversations shouldn’t feel taboo or risky. With the right support, they can become routine, ethical, and clinically useful.
Check out Dr. Bossio’s website if you are a health care provider who wants to better integrate sexual health into your clinical practice.
If You’re a Client Reading This
If you found your way here after Valentine’s Day—or after quietly wondering whether your sexual concerns are “serious enough” to bring up—this is for you:
Yes, your concerns are valid.
Sexual health concerns are common, treatable, and deeply connected to mental health, physical health, and relationships. Struggling with desire, pain, arousal, or intimacy does not mean something is wrong with you. It means something important deserves care.
At Tri Health Clinic:
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you don’t have to educate your therapist about sex
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you don’t have to minimize your experience
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and you don’t have to wait until things feel unbearable to reach out
We specialize in this work, and we take it seriously.
Referring to Tri Health Clinic
We’ve made the referral process straightforward and provider-friendly.
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A PHIPA-compliant referral form designed specifically for healthcare providers
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Prompt review by our intake team
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Thoughtful coordination as part of a patient’s broader healthcare plan
If you have a patient struggling with sexual health or relationship concerns—and you want to know they’ll be met with expertise, care, and respect—we’d be glad to work with you.
A Valentine’s Day Reminder All Year Long
Valentine’s Day shines a light on intimacy, but sexual health matters long after the chocolates are gone.
If you’re a healthcare provider looking for a trusted referral partner, or a patient looking for expert care, Tri Health Clinic is here to help.
👉 Send a referral today: Click here
🫶 Sex Therapy and Couples Therapy
📍 In-person care in Kingston | Virtual care across Ontario
