As a clinical psychologist, sex therapist, and author of The Mindful Sex Guide, Amy doesn’t deal in quick fixes or shame-driven narratives. Instead, she creates spaces where people can untangle the stories their bodies hold – stories of trauma, resilience, desire, and longing – and learn how to feel truly at home in themselves.

From helping clients reclaim intimacy after years of silence to challenging the cultural myths that keep us disconnected, her work lives at the intersection of mental health, sexuality, and self-compassion. For Amy, pleasure isn’t a performance; it’s an act of healing.

We sat down with her to talk about what it really means to navigate intimacy on your own terms, why mindful sex matters, and how embracing vulnerability can transform not just your relationships but your entire sense of self.

Personal Journey & Authenticity

You’ve experienced walking the therapy path yourself. How has your personal experience shaped the way you approach sex therapy and mental wellness with clients?

Amy: I’ve had that moment, the moment where you think your problems are too big, too f*@$ked up, and overall just “too much”. I remember thinking, “If I can’t even say this out loud, how can I ever change it?” But then I did say the things out loud, and they lost their power; all the worries I had about them couldn’t survive when I spoke them out loud. That moment shaped everything about how I now work. Therapy, especially around sex and intimacy, isn’t about someone else handing you a neat solution (ChatGPT can probably offer that now, ha!). It’s about creating a space where shame can loosen its grip and you can hear yourself clearly. My own experience taught me the power of being truly heard and seen. That’s the space I work to create for my clients. A space where nothing about them is too much or too broken to bring into the room.

Body Image & Sexual Confidence 

How does body image impact sexual confidence, and what mindset shifts can help people feel more comfortable in their own skin?

Amy: So much of our sexual confidence is shaped long before we ever enter the bedroom. Culturally, we’re bombarded with messages about how our bodies should look, how sex should unfold, and even how much desire we’re supposed to feel. Those expectations create a kind of invisible pressure that follows people into intimacy. This often creates an avoidance cycle: we feel self-conscious, so we withdraw from intimacy, and then we experience even greater disconnection, which reinforces the shame. Shame = more self-conscious, and the cycle continues.

From a psychological perspective, mindfulness is one of the most effective ways to break that cycle. By shifting our attention from appearance to sensation, people can anchor in the present moment and experience their body as it feels rather than focusing on how it looks. Choosing to intentionally focus on what feels good over what looks good allows confidence to grow naturally, because it’s no longer tied to external standards but to internal experience and connection. This can be hard to do in a society that still prioritises actions based on changing our bodies over loving our bodies. But like any skill, the more you practise it, the easier it becomes.

Orgasm & Pleasure:

Why do some people struggle with orgasm, and what techniques or mindset shifts can help unlock more fulfilling sexual experiences?

Amy: The paradox is this: the more pressure people put on themselves to orgasm, the harder it often becomes. This is one of the most common concerns I see in therapy, and the research supports just how widespread it is. Difficulties with orgasm can stem from a variety of factors: stress, anxiety, shame, medical factors, or even the way cultural scripts about sex frame orgasm as the ultimate marker of “success”.

The mindset shift that actually makes a difference is reducing the emphasis on orgasm altogether and turning attention back to pleasure, curiosity, and connection. Shifting the goal from the focus on this one moment allows you to go back to experiencing all the sensations on offer. The kicker is, in most cases, orgasm becomes more accessible precisely when it stops being the main focus.

A disclaimer to this is that often, sexual concerns, like the inability to orgasm, can be linked to medication. Now, in saying that, shifting the focus is still helpful here, but too many times I have seen clients not warned of the side effects of their medication or offered conversations to address this when it is a side effect. So if it shows up after a change in medication, talk to your health professionals about it.

When Sex Feels Off: Temporary vs. Deeper Issues 

Adults experience periods of sexual dissatisfaction. How do you help clients differentiate between temporary challenges and deeper patterns that may need exploration?

Amy: Everyone goes through phases where sex feels less satisfying, stress at work, parenting demands, health changes, or just exhaustion. I don’t think we normalise this enough. It’s normal. What I look for with those I work with is whether the pattern lingers or whether it’s tied to deeper emotions like resentment, disconnection, or unresolved trauma. Temporary dips usually improve when life settles down, but when dissatisfaction is ongoing, it’s often a signal that something more meaningful needs to be explored.

Modern Relationship Challenges

How do you see the rise of digital dating and hookup culture affecting emotional intimacy and sexual satisfaction today?

Amy: Digital dating has changed the psychological landscape of intimacy. In my work, I hear the struggle of feeling caught between endless choice and a lack of real connection. Our brains like novelty, so we are attracted to the dopamine hit of a new match, but it doesn’t always translate to lasting satisfaction. Technology isn’t the problem; it’s how we use it. I think we need to slow down and consider, “What am I actually looking for?” “What do I want from this interaction?” and reflect on whether what we are doing is likely to lead to the outcome we are searching for.

Solo Sexuality

What role does masturbation or solo sexual exploration play in understanding one’s own body and sexual preferences?

Amy: Honestly, everything. Solo exploration is one of the most underrated parts of sexual wellbeing. It’s not a fill-in activity for when partnered sex is not available or the pre-event to improve partnered sex; it’s a completely unique practice. It’s not just about learning your own body and what you enjoy but also about taking the time to meet these needs and prioritise your pleasure.

Sex & Mental Health

How do anxiety or depression impact sexual intimacy, and what tools do you recommend for reconnecting with desire?

Amy: Sex and mental health are completely intertwined. When someone is struggling with anxiety or depression, it often shows up in their sex life first, even before they realise what’s happening. Anxiety keeps you in your head, whilst depression can drain energy and desire, making intimacy feel out of reach.

But it works the other way too: a satisfying, connected sex life can support mental wellbeing by boosting mood, reducing stress, and helping people feel more secure in their relationships. It’s all interconnected.

That’s why I encourage people to see desire and sexual wellness as part of their overall mental health and wellness, not separate from it.

Mindful Sexuality

Your book is The Mindful Sex Guide. How can mindfulness transform sexual experiences and deepen emotional intimacy?

Amy: Mindfulness transforms sex by shifting the focus from doing to being. Instead of rushing toward orgasm or worrying about how we’re perceived, mindfulness invites us to notice sensation, emotion, and connection in the present moment. It deepens intimacy because it allows both people to show up as they are without masks, without performance, just presence. That kind of attention is not only erotic but also profoundly healing. The best thing about it is that mindfulness is its easy to start, and the positive impacts on sexual wellness are well researched, making it an affordable and accessible resource.

Advice for Readers

If you could give one piece of guidance to someone who wants to feel more empowered, embodied, and fulfilled in both their emotional and sexual life, what would it be?

Amy: Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with me?” or “How do I fix this?” try asking, “What does my body need right now?” You are not a problem to be solved. You are a whole, complex human being who deserves to be understood. When you shift from judgment to curiosity, self-improvement stops being about fixing flaws and starts being about discovering yourself in a deeper, kinder way.

Editor’s Note:

Amy Campbell reminds us that sexuality and intimacy are not about performance, shame, or “fixing” ourselves—they are about presence, curiosity, and connection. Through her work and her book The Mindful Sex Guide, she shows that reclaiming pleasure, understanding our bodies, and embracing vulnerability are acts of healing. Challenges with orgasm, body image, or desire aren’t failures; they’re signals to slow down, listen, and respond to our needs. Mindfulness, solo exploration, and compassionate attention to ourselves and our partners can transform not just sexual experiences but overall well-being.

Ultimately, Amy’s message is clear: we are not problems to solve, but whole, complex beings capable of pleasure, resilience, and deep connection when we give ourselves the space to be truly seen and heard. “