Sexuality and Sexual Health Counseling in DC

• Your Sexuality: A Place of Connection, or a Source of Pain?

You may have been struggling with questions or concerns about your sexuality for a long time. Maybe no one ever gave you clear or accurate information. Maybe you were raised with beliefs that made it hard to feel at ease with your body or desires. Or maybe something painful happened — a trauma, a violation, a diagnosis — that left you feeling disconnected or ashamed.

Sexuality is meant to be a source of pleasure, connection, and self-expression. But when it’s been clouded by fear, guilt, or pain, it can start to feel like a secret weight you carry alone.

If this resonates with you, you're not alone — and you don’t have to keep carrying that weight in silence. In a safe, compassionate space, we can talk about what’s been difficult. Whether you’re facing sexual dysfunction, unresolved trauma, or deep-seated beliefs that no longer serve you, healing is possible. Together, we can create the conditions for you to reclaim your sexual voice, your pleasure, and your wholeness.

• Navigating Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Can Feel Overwhelming — But You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

Have you ever felt like you couldn’t be fully yourself — not even with the people closest to you? Maybe you've been questioning your sexual orientation or gender identity for a while, but fear of rejection has kept you silent. Or perhaps you're already out, but you’re dealing with the emotional aftermath of isolation, judgment, or misunderstanding.

These experiences can be painful and destabilizing, especially when they come with anxiety, depression, or the feeling that you’re always “on guard.”

You deserve a space where you can show up fully, without fear — a space where your identity is not just accepted but honored. I offer a warm, affirming environment where you can explore these parts of yourself at your own pace. As a long-time ally of the LGBTQ+ community, my approach is grounded in respect, compassion, and a deep understanding of the psychological impact of living in a world that doesn’t always feel safe. You don’t have to keep hiding or minimizing who you are. Let’s work together toward healing, clarity, and self-acceptance.

• Living with HIV, STIs, or Other Chronic Sexual Health Conditions Can Take a Toll — But You Are More Than a Diagnosis

Receiving a diagnosis like HIV or another sexually transmitted infection can feel overwhelming. Along with the medical aspects, you might be facing fear, shame, grief, or the weight of stigma. Maybe you’re worried about your relationships, your health, or your future. Or perhaps you’re supporting someone else through it, and the emotional toll is starting to affect your own well-being.

These are not just medical issues — they’re deeply human ones. Your emotions, your mental health, and your sense of connection all matter in the process of healing.

I’ve been walking alongside individuals and communities impacted by HIV/AIDS and STIs since the early 1990s. I understand the complexities — and the possibilities — that come with adjusting to a new health reality. Whether you’re living with a chronic condition like herpes or HIV, dealing with the emotional impact of an acute STI, or simply navigating the fears that come with a recent exposure, I can offer both clinical knowledge and a deeply compassionate presence.

You don’t have to go through this alone. Together, we can address not only the psychological stress, but also the behaviors and thought patterns that may be impacting your physical and emotional health. You can move forward with clarity, dignity, and greater peace of mind.

What You are looking for

Seeking a therapist can be a frustrating journey. When you search for “relationship issues,” you mostly find couples therapy, which isn’t what you’re looking for right now. You’re ready to focus on yourself—to understand and heal from your past adverse experiences and relationship patterns. You want individual therapy to gain closure on your past and process your relationship history and any lingering painful memories. Not only that, but you’re looking for someone who understands trauma, relationships, and sexuality, who can guide you compassionately and without judgment, but who will also help you get to the root of these issues so you can finally move forward.

I’m glad you found me in your search—you're in the right place  

My name is Maria Antonia Alfonso,

I am a counselor licensed in DC, Virginia and Florida, and I Can Help.

Currently, I offer individual therapy via telehealth. Limited in-person appointments available in Washington DC office

I help adults with relationships issues, sexual health concerns and trauma resolution. I started my career as a mental health professional helping people living with HIV/AIDS during my undergraduate internships in Cuba, my home country, where I also completed a master’s in clinical psychology. Through the years, I’ve always had a special passion for serving this population, and specialized in sexual health, helping clients with several issues related to relationships and sexuality.

With over 30 years of experience in sexual health clinics, I have developed expertise in these areas. I also help clients work toward balanced lives that include sexual wellness, pleasure, safety, and healthy, fulfilling relationships.

I bring multicultural sensitivity and competence, especially in working with individuals from minority backgrounds. My practice is inclusive of people from diverse ethnicities, lifestyles, and backgrounds, including Latinx, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Recently, I’ve focused on working with women, and women issues in relationships.

See more about my experiences and credentials in the About Page.

Contact me for a free virtual consultation for counseling

I know it can feel like a big step to contact a counselor, but I’ll make it easy. I provide an initial 30-minute virtual consultation free of charge. Schedule it directly here or send a text to 202-716-9409.

We’ll spend 30-minutes discussing what you are looking for, and I will let you know how or if I can help. If we are not the right match, I’ll do my best to get you to the right person.

Contact me for your free consultation for online counseling if you live in DC, Virginia or Florida. My specialties include relationships, breakups, sexual health, living with HIV/AIDS, trauma and PTSD.