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.