The LIIST family is excited to welcome Dr. Torrisi’s baby into the world! He was born on 7/14/17 and weighed 6lbs! 
Rosara Torrisi presents today!
LIIST founder and supervising therapist, Rosara Torrisi, is presenting today at the SASH conference in Austin, TX!
To see her presentation slides, click here.
Join us online by connecting with LIIST on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and Psychology Today.
Learn more about LIIST here.
Why a sex therapist?
Wondering if you should go to sex therapy?
Sex Therapy is a sub-specialty of psychotherapy, focusing on the specific concerns related to human sexuality. People of all ages, creeds, health status, ethnic backgrounds, whether partnered or single, may benefit from working with a psychotherapist who specializes in this area. Certified Sex Therapists use specialized clinical skills and theoretical knowledge to help people solve their sexual concerns.
Unlike general therapists, a sex therapist is specifically trained to work with issues including:
• Affairs
• Body image
• Compulsive sexual behaviors
• Dyspareunia
• Female Orgasmic Disorder
• Female Sexual Arousal Disorder
• Fetish & paraphilias
• Gender identity
• Hypersexuality
• Infertility
• LGBQ Issues
• Male Erectile Disorder
• Male Orgasmic Disorder
• Paraphilias
• Polyamory issues
• Premature Ejaculation
• Rape/Incest
• Sexual Aversion
• Sexuality & chronic illness
• Sexual Desire
• Sexual Enrichment
• Sexual Pain
• Sexual Trauma
• Sexuality & physical ability
• Sexuality & spirituality
• Transgender/Transsexual issues
• Vaginismus
• Vestibulitis/VVS
A Sex Therapist will meet with the person or couple in an office where an extensive history of the concerns will be taken. A Sex Therapist will note both the psychological and the physical components. After this, a treatment plan will be proposed with your involvement in its development. In some instances, a Sex Therapist may work closely with another physician or therapist to establish causes and remedies for the problems.
A Sex Therapist will educate the person or couple about the issue and options for change. This educational process may occur through suggested reading material, watching educational audio-visual materials, discussion with the therapist, and attending workshops.
A Sex Therapist may suggest a regular schedule of office appointments. Often, homework exercises to be practiced in the privacy of one’s home between office appointments will be suggested. The homework may be as general as communication exercises or as specific as actual sexual experiences.
In no instances will a Sex Therapist engage in any kind of sexual activity with a client in any location. To do so is a breach of ethics, and in some states is a crime.
Read more about what sex therapy at LIIST looks like and an interview about sex therapy with Rosara Torrisi by Judith Meer.
LIIST on Out of the Box radio show
If you missed it, or want to hear it again, You can listen here to Rosara Torrisi talk about out of control sexual behaviors. On October 23rd, Rosara Torrisi was invited as a guest on LI News Radio with host David Levenstein and author/advocate Frank Vetro. Curious about sex addiction or out of control sexual behavior? Call us at 516-690-6779 or email us at RosaraTorrisi@lisextherapy.com. In collaboration with with Peter Kanaris in Smithtown, we have weekly therapy groups for both the identified client and a separate group for their spouses or significant others.
Why Collaboration is Important
A friend recently sent me this article, particularly noting my propensity for collaboration with other providers.
Particularly important from this article is the following quote: “Further hindering change is the fact that adult physical medicine and psychological medicine remain in separate silos. Utilising ACE research requires breaking down these long-standing divisions in healthcare between what is ‘physical’ and what is ‘mental’ or ‘emotional,’ and that’s hard to achieve.”
ACE stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences (such as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction) which all lead to a greater likelihood of early death. Learn more about the pyramid from the CDC here: 
This is also exceptionally present in my research on the sexuality of lesbian survivors of breast cancer. Health disparities start well before someone comes out as being gay. It’s also why I refuse to compare lesbian women and heterosexual women in my study. Yes, breast cancer is often a woman’s issue, but how an individual’s risks led them to that point isn’t just based on them being female. In my practice, so many of my clients find themselves sitting across from me because of events that started well before they were even conceived, let alone while they were growing up or what happened five months ago. I am enamored that good psychotherapy and good healthcare allows individuals the possibility of overcoming some of those obstacles. One of the ways I, particularly as a social worker, can assist in making this is possible for my clients is in collaboration with other allied people and professionals.
Moving ahead!
The Long Island Institute of Sex Therapy (LIIST) has assisted many couples and indivudals with their relationships, their sexuality, and generally making their lives happier. A top goal of LIIST is to help clients enhance their experiences of intimacy and pleasure, whatever the context. We work on reigniting passion, enhancing communication, and promoting healthy sexuality.
In order to better serve our community, LIIST will be expanding. In September 2015, two new staff members will join us, we will have office hours Monday through Saturday, and a sliding scale will be introduced for those in need of financial assistance.
Keep posted for upcoming bios.
About the Bunnies
Have you seen the bunnies recently? No, not the Easter bunny– the wonderful Kama Sutra bunnies by artist Bronwyn Schuster that have been hopping around on the LIIST business cards and some ads that can be found in places like the Plainview-Old Bethpage Chamber of Commerce website, and our letterhead. There are SIX different positions, see if you can collect them all!
Best Sex Therapist on Long Island
Rosara Torrisi has won the distinction of Long Island’s best Sex Therapist! Lots of thanks to those who have experienced the benefits of sex therapy with her and voted for Rosara Torrisi for this honor. To a happy and healthy New Year filled with delicious sex!