What is Sex Therapy?
Sex Therapy is a subspecialty 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 specialised clinical skills and theoretical knowledge to help people solve their sexual concerns.
What kinds of problems can benefit from Sex Therapy?
Typically people experiencing concerns about arousal, performance, or satisfaction are likely to benefit from Sex Therapy. Among these problems are decreased or increased desire for intimacy, or in the case of a couple, mismatched or discrepant desire or interest in sexual intimacy. Both men and women can experience concerns about arousal and there are many causes and options for solving these problems. At any age, performance or lovemaking skills can be of concern, just as can issues around orgasm and satisfaction.
Additionally concerns about sexual trauma in one’s background, medical conditions that affect one’s sexuality, sexual pain disorders, concerns about gender identity or sexual orientation, and issues around sexual compulsivity or addiction are frequent concerns that people discuss with a Certified Sex Therapist.
What happens in Sex Therapy?
The Sex Therapy process is very similar to that experienced with other mental health practitioners. The Certified Sex Therapist will meet with the person as an individual or with a couple in an office setting where an extensive history of the concerns will be taken. The Certified Sex Therapist will note both the psychological and the physical components and will establish one or more diagnoses. After this, a treatment plan will be proposed, usually with your involvement in its development. In some instances, the Certified Sex Therapist may work closely with the person’s physician, nurse, or other therapist or counselor to establish causes and remedies for the problems.
Depending on the diagnosis, the Certified Sex Therapist will educate the person or couple about the issue and about options for change. This educational process may occur through suggested reading material, through watching educational audio-visual materials, through discussion with the therapist, through attending workshops, or all of these therapy processes. Sometimes having more information will allow the problem to resolve. Sometimes more specific or intensive therapy will be needed.
If more specific therapy is needed, the Certified Sex Therapist may suggest a regular schedule of office appointments. Often, homework exercises to be practiced individually or as a couple 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, depending on the progress in therapy and the person’s level of comfort with accepting direction.
In no instances will a Certified Sex Therapist engage in any kind of sexual activity with a therapy patient/client, whether in the office or in any location. To do so is a breach of ethics, and in some states and provinces is a crime.
Do I Need Sex Therapy?
Sex
therapy is a kind of treatment approach to sexual dysfunction. It
addresses issues such as premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction,
non-consummation and even sexual addiction and lack of confidence. This
mode of therapy is also administered to victims of sexual assault,
relationship trauma and other forms of stress that are hindering an
individual from having a healthy sex life.
Going
through therapy is always met with much skepticism primarily because of
what the word "therapy" signifies. When you see a therapist, people
automatically think that something is terribly wrong with you, and this
in itself is a big embarrassment. However, you shouldn’t let other
people’s opinions affect your decision to undergo sexual counseling.
It’s
important to understand that it is perfectly normal to go through a
period when you're simply not in the mood for sex. Busy schedules,
piled up work at the office, and even emotional trauma can keep you
from achieving the same enthusiasm that you had before towards
lovemaking. However,
you might want to consider sex therapy if you're already experiencing
issues that are keeping you from fostering healthy relationships
because of your sexual drive.
Moving on
Undergoing
therapy is ideal for you if you need help in moving on, if you're
simply not getting the same satisfaction that you used to experience
from sex, or if you're too much into sex that you can't think of
anything else. Many people who visit a therapist about sexual concerns
are couples who are experiencing a plateau and are looking to spice up
their relationship.
If
you're also unsure of yourself as far as sexuality is concerned, going
to a therapy for help is also a good idea. Sex therapy can help you
recover from a previous emotional or physical trauma and gain your
confidence back. It can help you look at sex as something to be
embraced rather than shy away from. A therapist can help you improve
your self-esteem and see yourself as the attractive person you really
are.
No Judgments
If you're still queasy about going to sex counseling, think of it as going to your doctor.
A
reliable sexual health rehabilitation through consultations is offered
to help you define your goals, support, nurture and educate you towards
achieving them and walk you through the path to well being.
