Best Couples Therapist Finalist

Laurie Watson, PhD, MA, LMFT, LCMHC

Certified EFT & AASECT Sex Therapist | Director of Awakenings | Educator & Speaker

Dr. Laurie Watson is a leading expert in couples therapy, sex therapy, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). As the Director of Awakenings, Counseling for Couples & Sexuality, she oversees a team of 40 clinicians across Raleigh and Greensboro, helping individuals and couples restore intimacy, heal relationship wounds, and create lasting emotional and sexual connection.

Doctorate in Sexology
Supervisor for AASECT and ICEEFT
Practicing for over 35 years

A Certified EFT Therapist and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, Laurie specializes in working with couples stuck in cycles of emotional and sexual disconnection. Her integrative approach merges attachment science with sexual health, guiding partners toward a deeper understanding of their desires, needs, and relational patterns. She also offers intensive weekend retreats for couples and provides online consultations worldwide.

Educator & Trainer in EFT and Sexuality

Laurie is a passionate teacher, helping therapists integrate EFT with sexual therapy to better serve couples struggling with intimacy issues. Her work includes

Lectures physicians, residents, PAs, and physical therapists at Duke and UNC Chapel Hill medical schools on sexual function and dysfunction.
Consultants for therapists, providing expertise on cases involving relational and sexual challenges.
Teaches worldwide in couples therapy and sex therapy

Author, Podcast Host & Content Creator

Laurie is the host of the top-rated podcast Brave Love; Great Sex, which has over 17 million downloads. She is also the author of Wanting Sex Again—How to Rediscover Desire and Heal a Sexless Marriage (Penguin) and her forthcoming book Brave Love, Great Sex – Harnessing Attachment Theory for Passionate Relationships and furthermore has contributed to The New York Times, Washington Post, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, HuffPost, WebMD, and many more. Her blogs in Psychology Today and WebMD have amassed over 40 million reads, solidifying her as a trusted voice in the fields of relationships and sexual health.

Media & Public Speaking

Laurie has been featured in The Katie Couric Show, Vogue Weddings, My Carolina Today, and frequently appears on television and radio. Known for her warm, engaging style, she makes complex relationship and sexual topics accessible, enlightening, and transformative.

Laurie’s Philosophy on Healing Relationships

Laurie firmly believes that every couple has the potential to heal, saying:
“I’ve never worked with a couple I didn’t have hope for—the challenge is helping them see that transformation happens when they each recognize their role in the cycle. The moment that insight happens, real change begins.”

Professional Endorsements

Laurie’s work is recognized and trusted by medical and therapeutic professionals:

“Laurie is an excellent sex therapist and counselor. I am confident in my referral of patients, knowing she addresses both the organic and psychogenic components of sexual dysfunction with expertise and empathy.”
—Charles Viviano, MD, PhD, Duke Urology of Raleigh

“She has resolved my patients’ sexual issues, improved their relationships, and helped them pursue more fulfilling lives. I can wholeheartedly recommend Laurie as a therapist.”
—Wanda L. Radford, MD, OB/GYN, FACOG; Wake Women’s Health, Raleigh

“Sexual dysfunction is a major problem for many women, sometimes leading to depression and relationship struggles. Laurie is not only knowledgeable, but also compassionate and caring.”
—Dr. Pouru Bhiwandi, MD, OB/GYN, FACOG; Gyn Center for Women, Raleigh

“As physical therapists, we consider sex therapy an essential part of pelvic pain treatment. Laurie and the therapists at Awakenings have helped many of our patients regain intimacy and pleasure. We highly recommend Awakenings for sexual health and relationship counseling.”
—Sarah P. Talley, PT, DPT, & Emily R. Wegmann, PT, OCS, Raleigh

“Laurie Watson has a wonderful method—her warmth, caring, and passion for what she does really shines through.”
—Ingrid Harm-Ernandes, PT, WCS, BCIA-PMDB, Duke Hospital, Durham

What People Are Saying About Laurie as a Speaker

Laurie is widely recognized as a dynamic and engaging speaker, helping both therapists and the general public deepen their understanding of intimacy, relationships, and EFT.

⭐ “Laurie has a gift for making complex concepts feel approachable and actionable. I left her training feeling inspired and better equipped to help my clients.”
⭐ “Her warmth, humor, and deep expertise make learning from her a truly engaging experience.”
⭐ “One of the best workshops I’ve ever attended—insightful, practical, and transformative.”
⭐ “Laurie makes it easy to talk about sexuality in a way that removes shame and fosters connection.”
⭐ “The live demonstrations and case examples were incredibly valuable—Laurie’s depth of knowledge is unmatched.”

Fun Facts About Laurie

Can name nearly every tree variety in North Carolina 🌳
Once ate springbok and water buffalo on safari 🦓
Guilty pleasure: Watching The Bachelorette 📺
Favorite food to cook: Indian curry 🍛
Addicted to: Diet Coke with extra ice 🥤
Favorite movie: Love Actually 🎬
Can still do a cartwheel! 🤸‍♀️
Married for 40 years, with three sons ❤️

Laurie invites you to explore the emotional and sexual cycle of relationships in a pivotal episode of Brave Love; Great Sex—listen now! 🎙️

Accreditations:

PhD in Sexology; dissertation on Helping Couples Sexually Survive Breast Cancer Using Emotionally Focused Therapy;
- Certificate in Addictions
NC Licensed Marriage Family Therapist
NC Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Certified Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Therapist
Certificate in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Newport Psychoanalytic Institute, CA
Certified Sex Therapist with American Association of Sexual Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT)
Certified Addictions Specialist (doctoral level) with International Institute of Clinical Sexology, FL
Professional member of AAMFT (American Association of Marriage Family, Therapists)
MA, Marriage, Family Therapy, Azusa Pacific University, CA

Feedback about Laurie as a Speaker:

Presenter was very through and able to further explain when questions were presented.
Speaker was very knowledgeable on EFT approach to couple’s issues around sexuality.
Speaker engagement, case studies, practice groups.
Loved the breakout groups and ability to practice techniques learned during lectures.
I appreciated learning about the emotional cycle and sexual cycle and being able to identify when to work with which one.
It was extremely raw and informative!
I really appreciated the many elements from psychoed to role play to practicing with peers. It was engaging and informative!!
The presenter was exceptionally knowledgeable and offered relevant and applicable breakout activities.
Very knowledgeable, relayed information that kept me engaged and interested
The speaker was very dynamic and kept participants involved.
Laurie demonstrated clear command and comfort with subject matter. She spoke directly about sexuality and integrated and demonstrated the EFT approach throughout the workshop.
So much knowledge and enthusiasm
Very knowledgeable. Engaging speaker. The videos and role play demonstration were particularly helpful.
Fabulous teacher – so engaging, learned so much, all handouts were so helpful.
Laurie’s speaking style was engaging and informative
The speaker seemed comfortable speaking and was passionate about the topic.
Dr. Watson was dynamic, responsive, and engaged throughout the two days. The information provided was useful, even though I do not work with couples.
This was the most engaging training that I have attended in the last decade. She was amazing… I never learned so much in one setting! I want to become certified in EFT.
The applicability when working with couples.
Dr. Watson’s experience, openness, audience openness, and the videos from real therapy sessions were especially beneficial to watch
Amazing presenter, knowledgable, kept my attention the entire time. She gave specific techniques to use and things to say. Very useful. Videos and incredible live acting showed wonderful examples of how to use the skills as well.
The presenter was very knowledgeable and engaging. The PowerPoint was also very well done.
Great info but a lot of info
The presenter was knowledgeable and had a easy way of speaking about the subject matter. Her experience and comfort with the material showed.
Very knowledgeable
Laurie’s delivery was wonderfully moving.
The speaker was very knowledgeable about the topic and utilized real-life examples.
Speaker’s style, role plays and examples, interactive discussion during questions
Excellent expertise that was presented extremely well. Found the video and the live role play excellent in seeing the skills being taught practiced.- very knowledgable, was great
Laurie’s comfort with talking about sex and sexuality is so valuable and helping others gain more comfort in having natural conversations with clients
Loved the video of the actual couples.
Loved the role plays. And I liked when we were broken up into pair and shares.
t dealt with real issues.
Knowledgable. Experienced.
The presenter was very knowledgeable and her confidence was evident throughout the presentation. I learned more than I ever thought I would.
Highly practical, applicable information. Provided in a very engaging style. I particularly appreciated the opportunity for participants to practice skills in role plays and to see how the presenter employs theories and skills discussed in session with clients.
The role plays are always helpful. I liked the power point as well
The speaker seemed to be knowledgeable in this subject and was able to give us some real life situations of how this modality would work.
– She was very clear and concise and very responsive to questions even when they were a bit combative. She was very open and not defensive. The information was helpful and interesting and well presented.
Speaker was very engaging and knowledgeable, easy to pay attention to.
Openness of presenter to discuss sex. Interactive, thorough, humorous when needed!
Presenter’s expertise and skills at presenting the information
Presenter was so engaging, materials/handouts/slides/very informative, I didn’t want it to end actually- it broadened my understanding of the topics, gave valuable information that I can use moving forward in clinical practice
Presenters’ knowledge and openness
Content, Ability to Practice, Honesty of the Presenter, Presentation Materials.
The pace and detail.
The speaker clearly has tremendous experience in this area and it was appreciated that she included examples and some lightheartedness into the presentation.
Good balance of lecture and small group work. Material presented are very useful.
The speaker was knowledgeable and very engaging.
Open communication. The presenter did a fantastic job explaining a lot of the information.
The presentation provided specific examples of how to apply the information and material with clients in session
Very helpful and informative to my daily practice.
I thought that the 2nd day of the presentation was very strong. The elements of TEMPO were well explained and then it was great to see them in action more than once. As someone who has not done an EFT training, I thought that she did a really good job breaking the concepts of TEMPO down and making it digestible.
Presenter was very knowledgeable.- video examples, lots of q&a to help with understanding and the speaker was well prepared
I enjoyed the live role play on stage, it was very helpful to see what was being discussed in action.
Very informed and made it fun and comfortable.
Explaining Pursue, withdrawer, TEMP, and the female arousal cycle
Presenters knowledge of the materials and her comfort in knowing what she knows. Presenter also engaged with the audience in a welcoming way.
Very knowledgeable and engaging and a good sense of humor
amazing!
Provided a wealth of information, assessments, and tools.
The modeled session was amazing. The presentation opened my eyes to the idea that intimacy can be addressed at the same tie as communication and emotional attachment.
Very informative with practical examples and great resources.
Lots of knowledge and enthusiasm about subject matter.
I learnt a lot during the role plays out in breakout sessions. The speaker was engaging and enjoyed the material.
I enjoyed the perspective of this presenter. Following the presentation I have listened to her podcast. She is able to speak professionally on the topic and break down client interactions.
handouts
Great content with applicable information for my clinical practices
Laurie was very dynamic in her presentation. She was well prepared and passionate about the information and gave so much more than simply what was on the slides.
Appreciated the the live demo and the videos
Presentation was excellent. Presenter did fantastic job of providing relevant content and introducing research to back up information.
Great information! Loved the weave of provider and clinician insight.
Dr. Laurie Watson presenting style with real life examples and group activities.
Examples from real cases. The client therapy video recordings were very helpful to see in practice how to use skills with clients.
Laurie modeling talking about sex without shame
Live demo
Tons of clinical examples
Excellent information on a topic not typically discussed in professional continuing education programs
Completely met my expectations and will help me with my direct practice.

Professional Endorsements:

“As a Urologist specializing in Men’s Health, and especially sexual dysfunctions, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with Laurie in treating several of my patients. She is an excellent sex therapist and counselor. I am confident in my referral of patients, which ensures all aspects of the patient’s sexual dysfunction are appropriately addressed… the organic and psychogenic components. My confidence in her stems not only from her excellent knowledge base and training but also her empathy in caring for these patients… Laurie is a valuable member of my referral team. —Charles Viviano, MD, Phd, Duke Urology of Raleigh

“I have been lucky to have Laurie Watson as a resource for my patients. She has resolved their sexual issues, improved their relationships, and helped them pursue more fulfilling lives. I can wholeheartedly recommend Laurie as a counselor and therapist. She is kind, competent, and thorough and my patients have benefited tremendously.” —Wanda L Radford, MD, OB/GYN, FACOG; Wake Women’s Health, Raleigh

“I have been referring my patients for consultation to Laurie Watson for several years, and will continue to do so. All my patients have benefited immensely by her therapy, and they are most pleased and grateful. Sexual dysfunction is a major problem for many women, at times leading to depression and problems with relationships. We are most fortunate to have the services of Laurie Watson who is not only knowledgeable, but most compassionate and caring.” —Dr. Pouru Bhiwandi, MD, OB/GYN, FACOG; Gyn Center for Women, Raleigh

As physical therapists, we consider sex therapy an essential component of pelvic pain treatment. Laurie and the therapists at Awakenings have helped many of our patients enjoy intimacy and pleasurable sex as part of their recovery. We highly recommend Awakenings to individuals and couples for optimal sexual health.” —Sarah P. Talley, PT, DPT and Emily R. Wegmann, PT OCS, Raleigh

“Laurie Watson has a wonderful method… Her warmth, caring and passion for what she does really shines through.” —Ingrid Harm-Ernandes PT, WCS, BCIA-PMDB, Orthopedic/Women’s Health Specialties, Duke Hospital, Durham

“A valuable therapeutic resource…” —Carol Casper Figuers, PT, EdD, Associate Professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy Division, Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham

“What a great resource to have! My patients share their most intimate secrets and insecurities with me as their gynecologist, and I feel fortunate to have Laurie to send them to for care. She is knowledgeable, fair, warm and empathetic. They are often so relieved to know that there is someone who can help them.” —Myra Teasley, MD, FACOG; Mid-Carolina OBGYN, Raleigh

“Laurie’s message, rich in experience, inspires us to reconnect with our partners and ourselves.”

—Polly Watson, MD, OB/GYN, FACOG, NCMP, Boylan Healthcare, Raleigh

“Laurie Watson has a gift for relating to women.” —Julie R. McQueen, CHES, Oncology Patient Navigator, Duke Cancer Center, Raleigh

“I am a therapist with a worrisome case involving a couple who is sexually shut-down completely. I consulted with Laurie Watson, who provided fresh insight and professional approaches which have given me new hope for helping this couple in pain unlock their sexual connection again. I am very grateful to Laurie for the seasoned perspective and informed, sensitive input for therapy with them.” – Rev. Jack L. Hileman, LMFT, AAMFT-Approved Supervisor

Dr. Laurie Watson