Introducing Dipak Jilka, the newest addition to our team of practitioners here at Sex Life Therapy. He is both a psychosexual and relationship therapist. Dipak sat down with us to share his approach to a first session, chat about sexual scripts and share what he does when not in the office.

How did you get your start in psychosexual therapy?

I have always believed that sex and sexuality are integral to the human experience. However, early in my work as a psychotherapist, I noticed that clients often skirted around these topics or raised them very tentatively in the therapeutic space.

Just like any other aspect of life discussed in therapy, I create a genuinely safe space for clients to explore their intimacy. My readiness to open this door supports clients who want to integrate this vital part of their lives with all other aspects of their overall well-being.

Can you tell us a little more about your pervious career and if that informs your current practice?

I understand how pleasure and joy can become lost under the pressure of corporate life.  I spent nearly 40 years in the corporate world, working as a consultant and manager across the banking, finance, and telecommunications sectors. That career has little direct influence on my therapeutic approach. It informs my understanding of the need for pleasure and joy especially when under the pressures of a corporate life.

So, why the shift to the helping professions from the corporate world?

My work as a therapist is driven by a deep passion for understanding the human condition. I firmly believe that clients are not ‘problems to be fixed,’ but individuals navigating the struggles of their lived experiences. I hold this supportive frame at the absolute centre of my therapeutic practice.

Can you tell me a little more about the approaches you use? 

While I am deeply trained in Gestalt psychotherapy, my practice is also heavily informed by broader existential and contemporary Jungian ideas. Ultimately, I adopt a pluralistic approach to therapy –I tailor my methods to the unique needs of each individual.

Through my Gestalt training, I am curious about what a client is experiencing in the ‘here and now’ of the therapy room, as well as the relational dynamic unfolding between us. In our sessions, I might invite clients to partake in ’empty chair’ work or collaborate on creative experiments to try things differently outside of therapy. Where appropriate, I also seamlessly integrate practical cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions.

The bottom line is that I meet my clients exactly where they are in their lives, walking alongside them.

What can I come see you for?

While I work with a broad range of concerns, including:

• Anxiety and depression
• Trauma and PTSD
• Grief and loss
• Life transitions and identity issues
• Relationship and intimacy concerns
• Men’s mental health and wellbeing

I have particular interest in sexual health and psychosexual therapy, supporting men with;

• Erectile dysfunction
• Premature (rapid) ejaculation
• Delayed ejaculation
• Sexual confidence and performance concerns
• Compulsive sexual behaviours (often referred to as sex or pornography addiction)
• Sexuality and ageing
• Sexual adjustment following prostatectomy, enlarged prostate, and other health conditions

I am also interested in supporting men to move toward a sexual script that is intimacy focused on pleasure over performance that is goal-oriented and achievement based. I believe all individuals can benefit from exploring our sexual scripts so we can shift sex away from problem to pleasure.

What would a first session with you look like?

In our first session, we will spend some time conducting an initial assessment, exploring your previous experiences with therapy, and clarifying what you are seeking from our work together.

From there, I invite you to share the unique stories you tell yourself about your life and your lived experiences. I believe that we all navigate the world through these internal narratives. Inviting this storytelling into the room is invaluable—it not only provides me with the objective facts of your history but, more importantly, reveals the deep personal meanings you have attached to those experiences.

Is there anything you’d like to demystify for us in this interview?

I want people to know that psychosexual therapy, or sex therapy / sexology,  is ultimately just like any other form of psychotherapy, simply focused through the lens of our intimate lives and sexual experiences.

In my practice, I support clients by exploring these experiences from a holistic perspective—examining the intersection of biological, social, and psychological factors. My work shows that the struggles clients face in their broader lives, such as anxiety or stress, almost always can manifest in their sexual experiences.

Last question – what do you do when you’re not working?

At heart, I am a family man, and I love spending my free time with my partner and adult children. I also enjoy staying active outdoors through running, bushwalking, and occasional swimming. When it comes to reading, I find myself naturally drawn to philosophy, spirituality, and psychology. Rather than reading for professional reasons, this is driven by my genuine, lifelong passion for understanding the human condition.

  Thank you Dipak for taking the time to chat with us. Looking to request an appointment? Dipak is available on Mondays to Thursday evenings, as well as Friday to Saturday. He can see you in person in the Sydney CBD or in our or online. See Dipaks Full Bio and book.