Justin Pere, LMHC, CST, CGT

Owner & Lead Therapist

(he/him pronouns)

Please note: Therapy sessions with Justin are available via telehealth or in person in Seattle, Washington.

I’m a Certified Sex Therapist and relationship counselor in Seattle helping couples, individuals, and polycules reconnect emotionally and sexually.

Many of the couples and individuals I work with feel stuck, as they struggle to reconnect emotionally, talk about intimacy, or understand why desire feels so out of sync. For over 22 years, I’ve worked with individuals, couples, and polycules of all genders and identities to improve emotional connection, sexual confidence, and relationship health. My approach is affirming, direct, and non-shaming, with a strong focus on sex therapy, therapy for men, relationships, and lasting relational change.

Justin's Specialty Areas:

• Intimacy / Sex / Sexuality / Sexual Challenges or Dysfunctions
• Low sexual desire / No sexual desire / Increasing sexual desire and curiosity
• Relationships / Marriage / Premarital / Dating
• Midlife & Later-Life Transitions (relationships, identity shifts, aging, grief, caregiving, intimacy changes)
• Male-identified Individuals (often referred to as "men's issues")
• Betrayal Trauma / Infidelity / Affair Recovery
• Group Therapy for Couples experiencing low/no sexual desire or sexual frequency
• Anxiety & Depression
• Stress
• Trauma

Justin's Professional Credentials:

• 10,000+ hours of experience counseling individuals, couples, polycules, and groups, spanning 22 years
• Certified Sex Therapist (CST) through AASECT
• Certified Gottman Therapist (CGT) through the Gottman Institute
• Certified Integrated Intimacy Practitioner (CIIP) through NWIOI
• Advanced Practitioner with Optimal Sexual Experiences through the University of Ottawa
• Geriatric Mental Health Specialist
• Approved Supervisor in the State of Washington
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) through the WA State Department of Health

Thank you for considering working with our group of amazing therapists — I adore the team we have here!

I’m a 51-year-old Washington native and identify as a cisgender straight male. I’m also a strong LGBTQ+ ally and have intentionally built a diverse, sex-positive, affirming therapy team here at Clarity Counseling Seattle.

As a Certified Sex Therapist (CST) and Certified Gottman Therapist (CGT), I’ve consulted with the Gottman Institute on matters of sex and sexuality and currently serve on the board of The Northwest Institute on Intimacy as a Certified Integrated Intimacy Practitioner (CIIP). My training includes Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), IFS for Couples (IFIO), EMDR, and mindfulness-based therapy.

I also contribute as an Advanced Practitioner to the University of Ottawa’s Optimal Sexual Experiences program, and I run group therapy for couples struggling with sex and intimacy.

I'm honored to have contributed to national media outlets and podcasts, including:

• The New York Times - The toll that emotional labor puts on women in straight relationships
• The Gottman Institute - A number of articles (see below) about emotional intelligence, relationships, sex, and men
• GQ Magazine - Competitive friendships
• AARP – Insights on online friendships and emotional connection for adults in midlife, featured in the article “Are Online Friendships Really Friendships?”
• Therapy4Dads Podcast - Applying the Gottman method to fatherhood
• PracticeCare Podcast - Growing from a solo practice to a successful group of 15+ years

My articles for the Gottman Institute include:

• Emotional Intelligence in Relationships
• Why Men Struggle with Close Connections
• Contemplating Entering Into Sex Therapy
• What Is Love Bombing?

Outside the office, I enjoy time with my wife and family, nature photography, and travel with dear friends. I’m grateful to do this work — and to lead a team that shares the same mission: helping people build stronger, more fulfilling relationships.