Ep 3: Desire Without Shame: Sex Therapy Inside Christian Spaces

In this episode of The Sexual Health Hub, Sheena and Juline welcome Halie Howells, a licensed marriage and family therapist and AASECT-certified sex therapist who specializes in integrating faith, psychology, and sexual health. Together, they unpack the deep—and often unspoken—impact that religious messaging has on intimacy, desire, consent, and pleasure. Hailey shares her journey into sex therapy within Christian spaces and explains why so many couples struggle silently with shame, obligation sex, mismatched desire, and a disconnect from their bodies. The conversation dives into the long-term harm caused by purity culture, abstinence-only education, and gendered sexual expectations—particularly how these messages affect women’s body autonomy and men’s relationship with desire and impulse control. The episode also explores how parents can talk to children about bodies and boundaries without fear or shame, how couples can rebuild trust and desire, and why unlearning harmful teachings is often necessary before true sexual freedom is possible. This is an honest, nuanced conversation for anyone navigating sex, faith, and relationships—and wondering if it’s possible to honor all three at once. (Spoiler: it is.) Resources Discussed in this Episode: Sheila Wray Gregoire (Book: The Great Sex Rescue): https://sheilawraygregoire.com/ More of Halie’s Recommendations: Created for Connection: The “Hold Me Tight” Guide for Christian Couples, by Sue Johnson and Kenneth Sanderfer Boundaries in Marriage, by Henry Cloud and John Townsend The Gift of Sex, by Clifford and Joyce Penner Unwanted, by Jay Stringer You can find more about Halie here: https://www.wellspringcenterforcounseling.com/team- member/halie-howells-ma-lmft/ The Sexual Health Hub is not affiliated with the links provided and does not receive any financial compensation from visits to or purchases made through them. Follow us on Instagram: @thesexualhealthhub This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or the Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!