Desire and Bloom Therapy
Sex & Relationship Therapy
Where growth and desire intertwine.
Support for individuals and couples navigating sexuality, intimacy, relationships, anxiety, and emotional wellness.
Who I Work With & My Approach
I work with individuals and couples navigating sexuality, desire, intimacy, relationship concerns, and the emotional experiences that can make connection feel complicated. You may feel disconnected from your partner, confused by changes in desire, caught in recurring relationship patterns, or unsure how to communicate what you want and need.
My approach is warm, empathic, and direct. I integrate evidence-based therapy with sex-positive, relationship-informed care and EMDR when appropriate. Together, we’ll look beneath the surface of what’s happening, understand the patterns keeping you stuck, and create new pathways toward confidence, intimacy, and connection.
What I Specialize In
I specialize in sexuality, intimacy, relationships, and the emotional experiences that shape how we connect with ourselves and others. Some of the concerns I most commonly help with include:
Sexual Desire & Wellness
Low desire or changes in sexual desire
Differences in desire between partners
Difficulty with arousal or orgasm
Sexual pain, including vaginismus and dyspareunia
Erectile difficulties (ED) or premature ejaculation (PE)
Performance anxiety, avoidance, or pressure around sex
Relationships & Intimacy
Feeling disconnected emotionally or sexually
Communication challenges and recurring conflict
Initiation and rejection cycles
Rebuilding intimacy and connection
Trust and intimacy after infidelity
Navigating differences in sexual needs, preferences, or expectations
Emotional Wellness
Anxiety, overthinking, and burnout
Stress, overwhelm, and emotional exhaustion
Shame, self-doubt, or difficulty expressing needs
Attachment and relationship patterns
Trauma and EMDR therapy
Have questions about sex therapy, intimacy concerns, or what working together might look like?
Introducing Desire Dialogues
A guided workbook for couples navigating differences in sexual desire.
When partners experience desire differently, intimacy can become a source of pressure, hurt, and misunderstanding. Desire Dialogues offers a compassionate, research-informed approach to understanding desire, improving communication, and creating new possibilities for connection—without treating either partner as the problem.
For clinicians, an accompanying Facilitator's Guide provides structured session guidance, therapeutic discussion prompts, and practical tools for integrating the workbook into clinical practice.
Developed through my doctoral work in Clinical Sexology.
Shie Benisti Dalibor, PhD, LCSW, CST
Sex & Relationship Therapist
Hi, I’m Shie. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, and PhD in Clinical Sexology specializing in sexual desire, intimacy, relationships, and sexual wellness.
I help individuals and couples better understand themselves, navigate intimacy and relationship patterns, and build greater confidence and connection in their emotional and sexual lives. My style is warm, empathic, and direct—blending evidence-based therapy with sex-positive, relationship-informed care and EMDR when appropriate.
In-Person & Online Therapy Options
In-Person Sessions (Wilmington, NC)
I offer in-person therapy at my calm, private office in downtown Wilmington:
201 N Front St, Suite 512
Wilmington, NC 28401
The space is warm, grounded, and designed to help you feel comfortable and supported.
Online Therapy (NC Residents)
If you prefer the comfort of your home, I offer secure HIPAA-compliant telehealth sessions for clients throughout North Carolina.
Both options are equally effective — choose what feels best for you.
What It Feels Like to Work Together
My clients describe therapy with me as grounding, honest, and deeply supportive. Sessions feel like a safe place to explore desire, intimacy, anxiety, or relationship patterns without shame or judgment — a space where you can finally exhale and be fully yourself.
My practice is LGBTQIA+ affirming, kink-aware, and sex-positive.