Astrid Warding

Clinical Psychosexual Specialist & Sex Addiction Specialist

Accredited Integrative Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor & Educator

Specialist in Psychosexual Support for Cancer Patients & Survivors

Founder of Astrid / Online Sex Therapy (Est. 2006)

Astrid is a Psychosexual Therapist at Synthesis Clinic. She is an accredited Clinical Psychosexual Specialist, Integrative Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor and Educator with two decades of clinical experience supporting individuals, couples and healthcare practitioners. As the founder of Online Sex Therapy (established in 2006) and an expanded clinical practice, Astrid pioneered accessible, safe and highly confidential pathways for clients navigating complex concerns around sex, intimacy and relationships.

Her foundation in healthcare is built on twenty-five years of service within the NHS, fifteen of which were spent in cancer care. This included extensive, hands-on clinical experience across cancer diagnostics and NHS breast cancer screening, as well as a specialist role with Macmillan Cancer Support.

Holding advanced postgraduate qualifications in psychosexual therapy, sex addiction, integrative psychotherapy and clinical supervision, Astrid draws on a broad clinical toolkit to deliver tailored, evidence-based care. She works extensively in psychosexual oncology and cancer rehabilitation, supporting individuals and couples through the profound sexual, hormonal and body image changes brought on by cancer diagnosis and treatment. Astrid is also deeply committed to professional development and knowledge sharing, and provides expert clinical supervision to therapists and medical professionals across the psychosexual and mental health sectors.

Clinical Philosophy and Mission

Astrid's practice was founded on the recognition that navigating sexual health, intimacy and relationship dynamics can feel overwhelming, particularly when facing medical challenges such as cancer, or at a time when misleading online information so often heightens anxiety.

She believes that real therapeutic progress happens when clinical rigour is paired with an empathetic, non-judgemental environment. Whether supporting cancer survivors through post-treatment psychosexual recovery, addressing long-standing dysfunctions, managing compulsivity and sex addiction, or working through relational trauma, Astrid's approach focuses on understanding the whole person. By combining integrative psychotherapy with specialised clinical sexology, she helps clients rebuild trust, restore intimacy and develop lasting emotional and sexual resilience. As an educator and supervisor, she is equally passionate about fostering clinical excellence and advocates for integrating psychosexual care into mainstream oncology and healthcare settings.