headshot of Dr. Gordon

Elisabeth
Gordon,
M.D.

Integrative Sexual Health Psychiatrist​
& Sex Therapist

She/ Her

The Practice

Elisabeth Gordon, MD is a thought leader in integrative sexual health. She is a board-certified psychiatrist, and an innovative speaker, educator, researcher, and writer dedicated to advancing sexual health in both public and academic forums. In her private practice in New York City, she provides a sex positive, integrative psychiatric approach for adults of all ages to help with sexual difficulties or problems in relationships related to sex. By combining complementary, integrative, and sexual medicine together with sex therapy and multi-cultural competency, she is able to treat her patients holistically, helping them achieve sexual satisfaction and improved sexual health, general health, and overall happiness.

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Sexual Medicine

Sexual Medicine is a specialization focused on supporting sexual health and the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sexual problems.

Sexual Health

Sexual Health is “a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality (and, importantly…) not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity” (WHO, 2006) and may be impacted by an individual’s physical health, mood, previous sexual experiences, life stressors, and relationships as well as other factors.

Sexuality

Sexuality is “…a central aspect of being human throughout life encompasses sex, gender identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy and reproduction. Sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviors, practices, roles and relationships (though) not all of them are always experienced or expressed. Sexuality is influenced by the interaction of biological, psychological, social, economic, political, cultural, legal, historical, religious and spiritual factors.” (WHO, 2006)

Integrative Medicine

Integrative Medicine is the use of conventional western medicine integrated with other evidence based approaches for better holistic care of the patient. These may include the use of diet, sleep, lifestyle assessments and interventions, exercise, vitamins, supplements, eastern and ayurvedic medicine treatments, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, amongst others.

Integrative Psychiatric Sexual Health

Integrative Psychiatric Sexual Health is a combined practice that accounts for and addresses all potential impacts on an individuals’ sexual health as well as on general physical and mental health. Treatment plans are then tailored to the individual and utilize the appropriate components of western medicine, complementary treatments, and sex therapy to achieve an optimal outcome of improved sexual, physical, and mental health, with low side effect risk.

Sexual Health Problems or Dysfunctions

Sexual Health Problems or Dysfunctions are persistent, recurring difficulties with desire, arousal, or orgasm, or physical or psychic pain or distress in relation to sexual activity. These dysfunctions may have always been present or occur suddenly.

They include, but are not limited to:

  • problems with low libido or desire; problems with arousal (getting or sustaining it),

  • problems with orgasm (achieving or timing),

  • pain with sexual activity or penetration

  • problems with sex within relationships (difficulty communicating about it, lack of sex, or differing expectations for amount or kind of engagement, etc.)

  • distress around various aspects of sexuality (gender, orientation, interests, relationships, etc.)