Romi Brudno

Welcome! I’m Romi, a licensed clinical social worker and AASECT-certified sex therapist. I specialize in supporting individuals experiencing painful sex, including vaginismus, vulvodynia, dyspareunia, pain following childbirth or menopause, and other concerns that impact sexual well-being and intimacy.

Pelvic pain can affect far more than our physical well-being. It can leave us feeling disconnected from our bodies and our partners, and many people describe feeling broken, hopeless, frustrated, or alone.

If you’re experiencing anxiety, fear, or avoidance around sex, our work can offer space to understand your experiences with curiosity and compassion. Together, we can move from shame and self-blame toward greater connection, resilience, and agency.

I earned my master’s degree in clinical social work from Columbia University and completed specialized sex therapy training through the University of Michigan.

I offer virtual therapy to clients across New York, Connecticut, and California.

I entered the field of psychotherapy out of a deep curiosity about the stories we carry and how they shape the way we experience ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. That curiosity continues to guide my work today. I strive to create a warm and nonjudgmental space where you can explore your experiences with honesty and openness.

When working with concerns related to sexual health and pelvic pain, I incorporate a trauma-informed lens and consider the emotional, relational, and physical dimensions of what you’re experiencing. Repeated experiences of pain during sex can lead the body to develop protective responses, such as bracing, tensing, or anticipating pain, that can persist even when you consciously want to feel safe and connected. Our work can help you better understand these responses and gradually cultivate a lasting sense of safety in your body and relationships.

I frequently collaborate with pelvic floor physical therapists, gynecologists, and other healthcare providers to support comprehensive care. Whether you’re taking your first steps toward addressing a concern or have been navigating these challenges for years, I’ll meet you exactly where you are.

In our first session, we’ll begin by getting to know each other and talking about what brings you to therapy and what you hope to gain from our work together. We’ll also start to identify the concerns, patterns, and goals that may be most important for us to explore.

Because I specialize in sex therapy, our conversations may include more questions about your sexual history, relationships, intimacy, and experiences with your body than you might encounter in general talk therapy. These questions help me understand the broader context of what you’re experiencing and how different pieces may be connected. I’ll approach these conversations with sensitivity and without judgment, and we’ll always move at your pace. You’re never expected to share anything before you feel ready.

My goal is for your first session to feel like a collaborative starting point rather than an assessment. We’ll begin wherever feels most helpful and work together to develop an approach that feels right for you.