Sexual therapy can help people to recognise and deal with their sexual issues, such as low sex drive, pain during sex and difficulty in orgasm.
Sex therapy can help improve sexual satisfaction.
This therapy can benefit anyone who wants to improve their relationship with the sex and pleasure. It can be particularly useful for those who have difficulty with lack of arousal, painful intercourse, inability to reach orgasm or other sexual dysfunctions.
Sexual therapy does not require both partners. Some people may benefit from individual therapy sessions, while others may find couples sex therapy more useful.
This article by Adult Club it mentions why someone might need sex therapy, what to expect during treatment, how to find a qualified sex therapist and much more.
What is it?
Sex therapy is a type of therapy designed to help individuals and couples who have problems with achieving sexual satisfaction.
Physical, psychological and emotional factors can all cause sexual dysfunction. The goal of a sex therapist is to help an individual or couple address these issues and achieve a satisfying sex life.
Sexual therapy does not involve sexual intercourse between clients and therapists.
How is it achieved?
As with all psychotherapy, sex therapy involves talking about issues.
In general, the client and sex therapist discuss any experiences, feelings and concerns that may be contributing to the client's sexual dissatisfaction and dysfunctions. They will work together on coping mechanisms to help them build a satisfying sex life!
Sex therapists may also give their clients "homework". This may vary depending on the individual or couple and may include tasks designed to enrich sex education and improve communication between partners.
Sex therapist can also assign sexual experimentation to help them feel intimacy needed at home.
If they suspect that a physical dysfunction is behind the sexual issues, the therapist may refer the client to a doctor.
In turn, the doctor and therapist can work together to address the physical problem while guiding the client towards achieving their sexual goals.
Benefits
Sex therapy can help both individuals and couples to:
- gain a realistic understanding of sex and pleasure
- identify and address the underlying causes of sexual problems
- develop and maintain a deeper sexual relationship with themselves and their partners
Who needs sex therapy?
People experiencing sexual dysfunction may be among those who could benefit most from sex therapy.
Simplified, sexual dysfunction is a general term for various recurring difficulties related to sex and includes:
- delayed ejaculation
- erectile disorder
- male sexual desire disorder
- premature ejaculation
- female orgasm disorder
- female sexual interest/stimulation disorder
- genital-pelvic pain/penetration disorder
- sexual dysfunction caused by substances/drugs
- other specified sexual dysfunction
- unspecified sexual dysfunction
These dysfunctions can cause a lack of interest in sex, low self-confidence, sexual performance anxiety, painful intercourse and an inability to get aroused or reach orgasm. Seriously affecting a person's ability to enjoy a healthy and satisfying sex life.
Sexual dysfunction can have physical or psychological causes. Sometimes, it is associated with a history of abuse.
Sexual trauma
Sexual trauma can particularly affect a person's interest in or ability to enjoy intimate sex.
Research shows that sex therapy can help people with a history of sexual trauma.
For example, combining trauma-based therapy with sex-positive techniques may be more effective in helping someone cope with trauma-related sexual dysfunction than using trauma-based therapy alone. These studies are small but promising.
However, as some researchers note, some people with a history of sexual trauma may need individual therapy to address other issues before they are ready to explore sexual desire and satisfaction in sex therapy.
What to expect in sex therapy
Talking about someone's sex life with a stranger can make you feel uncomfortable. It is likely that the therapist anticipates this and will start with simple questions to get to know you.
People can expect to discuss about:
- Health
- sex education
- sexual background
- beliefs and ideas about sex
- specific sex-related challenges
The sex therapist will work with the individual or couple on their specific concerns and dysfunctions through the therapy-related discussion.
The frequency and duration of treatment sessions will depend on the client, their dysfunctions and needs.
The sex therapist will not:
- ask you to pick sides or try to persuade you to do anything
- ask you to undress, nor undress yourself
- ask you to have sexual relations or instruct you to have sexual relations
Note that sex therapists, as with all therapists, are not ideal for everyone.
Compatibility is important for successful treatment. If someone is not comfortable with their therapist, they may want to seek another specialist.
Sexual therapy for couples
Couples sex therapy is when both sexual partners attend therapy sessions.
For some people, only one-to-one sex therapy sessions are enough. For others, the presence of both partners is more beneficial for building stronger communication and improving satisfaction.
In some cases, the therapist may be able to help a couple determine whether individual sessions, couples sessions or a combination of both would be most beneficial.
How to find the right sex therapist
A sexologist can guide you! By searching for sex therapists on the internet you will find a collection of specialists who will help in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, low sexual desire, male impotence, female orgasm disorders and other sexual problems. You will choose whether you are interested in couples therapy, stress & anxiety management counselling, infertility support, erection & orgasm disorders treatment, individual or group therapy.
Summary
Sex therapy aims to provide a comfortable, supportive atmosphere for people to safely, confidentially and comfortably discuss their problems in order to achieve a healthy and satisfying sex life.
Anyone can benefit from sexual therapy - especially people who are experiencing sexual dysfunction and are dissatisfied with their sex life.
Some people benefit from individual sex therapy sessions, while others find couples sex therapy more useful and effective!
