Intimate difficulties? Sexotherapy helps you regain a fulfilling life
Consult a qualified sexotherapist in a confidential and caring setting
What is sexotherapy?
Sexotherapy is a therapeutic approach specializing in treating disorders and difficulties related to sexuality. It sits at the crossroads of psychology, medicine, and sexual health education. The sexotherapist supports individuals and couples in resolving sexual problems of psychological, relational, or mixed origin.
Contrary to common misconceptions, sexotherapy involves talking and reflection, taking place in an office, fully clothed, like any therapeutic consultation. The sexotherapist creates a safe, non-judgmental space where patients can address intimate subjects often difficult to express.
Sexotherapy integrates different approaches as needed: cognitive-behavioral therapy adapted to sexuality, relational psychotherapy, sexual education, behavioral exercises for couples, work on body image and self-esteem. It can be practiced individually or as a couple.
How does a sexotherapy consultation work?
The first consultation lasts about 1 hour. The sexotherapist gathers your sexual, relational, and medical history in a strictly confidential setting. They evaluate the disorder's nature, triggering factors, and consequences on your personal and couple life. No physical examination is performed by a non-physician sexotherapist.
The therapeutic approach is then personalized. It may combine support and exploration interviews, psychoeducational information about sexuality, progressive sensory exercises for home practice (Masters and Johnson's sensate focus technique), work on representations, beliefs, and fears related to sexuality.
Sessions occur at a regular pace, generally every 2 to 3 weeks, allowing integration of exercises between appointments. Therapy duration ranges from a few months for a targeted functional disorder to a year for broader work on relationship and sexual identity.
Benefits of sexotherapy
Sexotherapy resolves sexual disorders that deeply impact quality of life and self-esteem. Studies show a 60 to 80% success rate for sexual dysfunctions treated in sexotherapy, with often lasting results.
Beyond symptom resolution, sexotherapy improves couple communication. By learning to discuss desires, limits, and needs, partners develop richer and more satisfying intimacy. Therapy also helps deconstruct myths and erroneous beliefs about sexuality that cause performance anxiety.
Personally, sexotherapy promotes better body knowledge, reconciliation with body image, and greater capacity to experience and express pleasure. It contributes to a freer, more conscious, and more fulfilling sexuality.
Sexotherapist training and qualification
Qualified sexotherapists generally have foundational training in psychology, medicine, or human sciences, supplemented by specialization in sexology. In France, several universities offer DU (University Diplomas) and DIU (Inter-University Diplomas) in sexology and sexotherapy, lasting 2 to 3 years.
Training covers sexual anatomy and physiology, psychology of sexuality, sexual dysfunctions and their treatments, couple therapy, gender and sexual orientation issues, and professional ethics. Personal work on one's own sexuality is strongly recommended.
Certified sexotherapists belong to professional associations like AIUS or SNMS. These organizations guarantee quality training and adherence to a strict code of ethics. On PratiConnect, each sexotherapist is verified.
When to consult a sexotherapist?
Sexotherapy is indicated for desire disorders (low libido, hypoactive sexual desire, desire discrepancy in couples), arousal and pleasure disorders (anorgasmia, psychogenic erectile difficulties, premature ejaculation), pain during intercourse (vaginismus, dyspareunia), and body image-related disorders.
It also addresses relational issues impacting sexuality: communication failure, infidelity, sexual routine, resuming sexuality after childbirth, illness, or trauma. The sexotherapist helps couples recreate a space of intimacy and shared pleasure.
Identity and sexual orientation questioning, sexual consequences of chronic diseases (diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis) or medical treatments (antidepressants, chemotherapy), and sexual trauma (assault, abuse) are also within the sexotherapist's scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
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