Sex therapy is a type of cognitive therapy that can be done by couples or by individuals on their own. while couples usually seek sex therapy because of sexual problems or because some part of their sex life is dysfunctional, it can also be used to keep relationships healthy i the long run.

Couples or individuals can expect to discuss their fears or concerns about physical affection because it is generally a form of talk therapy.

Modern sex therapy frequently combines psychotherapy and medical techniques, for treating premature ejaculation. Sex therapists assist people in overcoming sexual issues and reclaiming a satisfying sexual life. The transformative sex therapy approach seeks to comprehend all the areas of sexual dysfunction.

A thorough assessment, including a psychological and medical examination, is required for sex therapy. This is because sexual dysfunction can have both physiological and psychological causes. Erectile dysfunction is a good example, it can be caused by circulatory problems or performance anxiety. Sex therapy is typically brief, with duration varying depending on the reason for treatment. Sex therapy can be administered by licenced sex therapists who have received training and certification.

The goal is to help you develop a sexual life that makes you happy and healthy. Sexual health counselling/therapy recognises that sexuality is an essential part of human life and seeks to educate and support you. It could include things like trying to identify sexual beliefs that might be roadblocks, assisting you in gaining clarity about your sex life goals, giving information without being judgemental, educating about new sexual skills, improving communication and personal confidence.

 What is a Sexologist?

A Sexologist helps to promote sexual development by assisting clients in understanding their sexual goals and by providing education, facilities and tools to help them meet those objectives and improve their own sexual development. A sexologist has studied many other fields like history, biology etc, the dynamics of sexual relationships, and the mechanics of intimate intercourse. 

What Does A Sexologist Do?

As a sexologist, one can pursue a variety of careers, including research, therapy, sexual education, and public policy, sex therapy, which assists clients with a variety of sexual concerns such as sexual trauma recovery, mixed sex drives, erection and ejaculatory difficulties, pain during sex, loss of the ability to orgasm, lack of desire, and more.

What is A Sex Therapist?

A sex therapist is a licenced professional who works with people who are having sexual problems. Sex therapists are mainly healthcare professionals and have to be licenced to identify as a sex therapist. Certified Sex Therapists (CST) have extensive training in sex therapy from an accredited institution and hold a graduate degree in a clinical mental health field.

Sex therapists work with simple sexual issues, but are also prepared to provide thorough and focused psychotherapy over an extended duration in more complicated cases, if necessary.

Sex therapy can assist in the resolution of a variety of sexual issues, ranging from concerns regarding sexual ability or thoughts and emotions that affect one’s sexual life to the manner with which one interacts with their partner

What Does a Sex Therapist Do?

A sex therapist’s goal is to address any underlying psychological issues that are causing sexual issues in your life.  They have been trained to assist you with problems ranging from very low sex drive to erectile dysfunction. Sex therapy tends to view sexual problems as being rectified by specifically addressing them, as opposed to the assumption that when individuals in a relationship work out their relationship problems, the sex will work itself out.

What is Sex Therapy and How Does it Work?

Different sex therapists take different approaches to treatment. However, a sex therapy session is not dissimilar to a regular psychotherapy session. Couples can see a sex therapist together or separately, just like they can with marriage counselling. Even if you and your partner agree on the need for a sex therapy session, it is usually preferable to have a one-on-one session with your therapist. This is because it is much harder to express sexual concerns with your therapist with your partner in the room.

Finally, to avoid any confusion, sex therapy does not involve any physical or sexual activity with the therapist. It is straightforward sexual counselling and it is completely verbal, entailing conversations, discussions etc.

 Types of Sex Therapy

The following are options available for talk therapy:

  1. Solo Sex Therapy: Individual sex therapy with a sex therapist can present the option of having a safe space to explore aspects of one’s self that commonly elicits feelings of shame, anxiety, and inadequacy. A qualified sex therapist can assist with discovery, stress relief, questioning worrisome or incorrect assumptions, increasing understanding and other issues. Since it is quite often impossible to distinguish one’s sexual problems from the rest of their lives, sex therapists work with clients as a whole person, recognising the connection between the sexual and nonsexual parts of their lives.
  2. Couples and Relationship Therapy: Many relationships have instances of dissatisfaction and disconnection to varying degrees, and sex can be a factor that triggers or aggravates this discontentment. Partners frequently become stuck in harmful interpersonal patterns, feeling powerless to change them despite knowing they are detrimental, unhealthy, and destructive. Seeing a sex therapist with your partner(s) can help in this situation. Having a qualified and educated sex therapist can help identify habits and come up with creative and reasonable ways to intervene. Couples sex counselling can help you have more productive difficult conversations and kickstart the process of radical shift in your relationship.
  3. Group Counselling: For many people, the notion of group therapy can be daunting, if not unsettling. The mere idea of talking to a bunch of strangers about some of your most personal and secret, even despicable, parts of yourself sure looks immensely difficult. However, group therapy could be a very effective instrument on your road to recovery. Group therapy helps to connect, and be influenced by, individuals with common issues so you feel less alone. It creates a safe environment for you to practise new communicative skills, have association and accountability, growing support, and expand your perception.

Apart from talk therapy, another method usually adopted by therapists is the sensate focus therapy, Sensate focus therapy is a type of sex therapy that focuses on the specifics of a couple’s relationship and then has them perform behavioural exercises. This could include tasks or assignments that encourage couples to concentrate on sexual interactions that brings them satisfaction and pleasure without the tension of vaginal penetration.

This form of therapy usually also urges couples to consider taking any sexual activities that might be inducing anxiety off the table for a duration of time. The main objective is to grow the couple’s intimacy experience and to encourage them to develop on it by continuing to work through any pre- existent concerns. Many counsellors will combine these types of therapy or incorporate elements of both into different sessions.

Who Needs Sex Therapy?

Most people seek sex therapy because they are experiencing a noticeable change in their sexual behaviour or because they are unable to enjoy a happy and pleasurable sex life. These issues are addressed by either licenced sex therapists or counsellors.

Because the outcome of sex counselling often depends on the patient’s level of trust in the counsellor or therapist that they have chosen, it is essential to see a therapist or counsellor who you believe will be sensitive to your concerns. When you trust your counsellor, you can open up more freely to them, which will greatly assist the counsellor in identifying issues that are largely responsible for whatever concerns you have.

The following reasons may point to a need for sexual therapy in a relationship:

  1. Both Partners Are Sexually Bored: Couples may believe that they have lost romantic feelings for one another, or one of the partners may wish to try out areas of sexuality with which the other partner is uncomfortable.  The focus of the therapy would be to open up communication so that they could discuss their wants and desires, as well as to give the partners instructions and assignments to enable them reignite the romance in their relationship.
  2. Mismatched Libidos

Couples who can’t agree on when and how often to have sex may benefit from sex therapy to better connect in this area and work through any bad feelings. A sex therapist can assist couples in discovering new ways to be intimate with one another, as well as act as an intermediary, moderating conversation and keeping the interaction productive.

  1. You Have a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI): Usually, when an individual has been diagnosed with an STI, they get so astounded that oftentimes they don’t fully assimilate what their healthcare professional says. A sex therapist’s job is to educate the client on treatments and care, as well as safer sex practises to prevent the spread of STIs.  People who already have an STI may find it very hard to divulge this information to their partners and this is something that sex therapy also helps with.
  2. Orgasm complications

The distorted image of sex depicted in the media may frequently contribute to the spread of myths about how orgasms should look For example, society has taught vaginal owners that penis-in-vagina intercourse is the most viable way to derive pleasure from sex, which can be upsetting for those that are not among the eighteen percent of vaginal owners who can only orgasm through vaginal penetration. Sex therapists may be able to teach clients about our human bodies response to sexual stimulation and assist them in overcoming any thought patterns that are preventing them from getting orgasms.

  1. You Suspect You Have a Sexual Disorder or Dysfunction: This can involve a range of issues, such as erectile dysfunction, low sexual desire, and sexual arousal disorder even though the latter is only a disorder if it leads to discomfort. Involuntary muscle contractions in the vagina and pain during intercourse are also reasonable grounds to seek medical attention.

Benefits of Sexual Therapy

Think again if you believe sex therapy is just some new generation nonsense. It is, in fact, a highly specialised and highly regarded therapeutic approach that can assist you with any underlying sexual issues you may be experiencing. Sex therapy can also help you sort out the latent causes of problems in the bedroom so they can be resolved, allowing you and your partner to live a healthier, more romantic life. The following are some benefits of sexual therapy:

  • Sex therapy can aid in the development of emotional connection in a couple. It can also help to improve communication. It is critical to find a practitioner who is compliant with your partner and who will interact with them about their own feelings and emotions during the sessions. A sex therapist can assist couples or even people who aren’t in a defined relationship in improving their sex psychology and consequently their sexual experiences. Sex therapy can help a relationship as well as address emotional issues.
  • sense of self-confidence and increased self-esteem. Couples may participate in educational activities and learn how to have much more intimate experiences with their partner during the sessions. Couples may develop a greater understanding of their bodies and feelings during a sex therapy session. Sexual health therapy also includes teaching how to maintain physical health.
  • Sex therapists will also assist couples in overcoming various barriers that prevent them from enjoying great sex. They also educate couples about how to improve their communication and emotional intimacy. They will also gain knowledge about their bodies. Depending on what type of sexual therapy they attend, they may be required to check out their hormonal levels at a clinic or hospital dial down on nicotine or alcohol and other substances. For example, the therapist might also instruct them to exercise more and/or limit their drinking.

How to Find a Sexual Therapist

It can be very easy to find a sexologist meaning a sex therapist near your geographical location, all you have to do is ask your medical doctor to refer you to a sexual therapist, they might know someone who is in their field and is covered by your insurance. They might even be able to suggest a therapist that they believe will sync well enough with you. Another alternative is to look online for a sexual therapist who have virtual platforms that can provide some sex therapy for both you your partner.

If you’re dealing with a sexual issue, please search our directory of therapists who work with sexual issues.