Sex Therapy: Breaking Taboos
Sex therapy is a specialized therapeutic approach for treating individual and couple sexual difficulties. It combines psychotherapy, sexual education and practical exercises to help people rediscover fulfilling sexuality. This article demystifies the practice and explains whom it addresses.
What Is Sex Therapy?
Sex therapy is a form of psychotherapy centred on sexuality-related difficulties. It addresses individuals and couples facing sexual problems of psychological, relational, educational or mixed origin. Modern sex therapy emerged from Masters and Johnson's pioneering 1960s work. The sex therapist is a mental health professional with specialized training in clinical sexology.
Main Approaches
CBT approach: identifies and modifies dysfunctional thoughts and behaviours. Sexo-analytic: explores unconscious conflicts and infantile sexuality representations. Sexo-functional: focuses on sexual skills (arousal management, breathing, movement). Systemic: considers the sexual problem as a symptom of couple dysfunction.
For Whom?
Anyone experiencing sexual difficulty causing suffering. Common reasons: desire loss, erectile difficulties, premature ejaculation, anorgasmia, pain during intercourse, sexual addiction, orientation questions, assault sequelae.
Therapy Process
First consultation (60-90 min): complete assessment. Follow-up: weekly/fortnightly 45-60 minute sessions combining therapeutic interview and homework exercises (notably 'sensate focus'). Average duration: 10-20 sessions.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes. Sex therapy must be practised by a qualified professional. Most sexual disorders respond successfully to treatment.