A licenced health-care practitioner, a sex therapist's role is to guide you in discovering any emotional or mental barriers which may be causing or adding onto the sexual problems you may have. It can be a social worker, medical doctor or psychologist, as long as they specialize in sexual health, they are qualified to be a sex therapist.
A sex therapist can assist both individuals and couples to overcome issues related to intimacy or sexual performance.
Sex therapists can help with many varieties of sexual dysfunction that have psychological origins or effects. They can also help with sex-related life and relationship issues. In an inclusive and safe environment, therapists accomplish this in a supportive, nonjudgmental way.
It is worth understanding that sex therapists do not treat physical or medical conditions affecting sex, like low testosterone, for example. First, you may need to visit a primary healthcare provider, gynecologist or urologist for any sexual function problems to determine if there are underlying physical causes.
Sex therapists use a variety of evidence-based treatments to help people enhance their sex lives. They most commonly use psychotherapy (the more recognizable term, talk therapy), which is to create a talking relationship to set up and assess your feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Types of psychotherapy for sex therapy may include:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Emotion-based therapy.
Mindfulness-based interventions.
Couples communication techniques.
Sex therapists prioritize confidentiality and maintaining your privacy. In fact, it’s a part of their professional code of ethics. Therapists who violate patient confidentiality risk losing their ability to practice therapy in the future.
Sex therapists can address all sorts of issues that affect an individual’s sex life and intimate relationships. A sex therapist might focus on any of the following common sexual concerns:
Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Trouble Getting Or Keeping An Erection
Premature Ejaculation: Orgasming too soon when having sex.
Mindless Sex: Having sex without emotional involvement or engaging in it purely out of boredom.
Painful Intercourse: Affected woman have pain during their intercourse
Communication Issues: Couples unable to communicate their needs or wishes.
Sexual Trauma or Abuse — Assisting survivors through a process of healing from past sexual trauma or abuse.
Low Body Image: Dealing with problems with self-esteem and body confidence.
Infidelity or Relationship Conflict: You’re both unsure of how to work through the issues in your relationship or trusting each other.
Sexual functions such as intercourse, outercourse and masturbation are a complicated weave of emotional, physical and mental experiences. If you want to or if you actively seek sexual interaction, it is paramount to your quality of life. It is well known that sexual activity correlates with mental and physical health along with happiness in a relationship or marriage.
The medical professionals as well as sex educators streamline sex into a specific response cycle which includes:
Desire (libido).
Arousal (excitement).
Orgasm.
Resolution.
This means that there are at least four dimensions of sexual activity and issues related to sexual activity can occur at any time during this response cycle. Mental and physical knowledge and processes associated with every level can ensure that a person’s experience of sexual encounters is fulfilling, along with working to alleviate issues related to sexual dysfunction.
Psychologists and therapists, for example sex therapists, can help address the lack of motivation to engage in sex, to feel aroused, orgasm (anorgasmia) or even pain inflicting during sex (dyspareunia) for instance vaginismus, along with helping to achieve or maintain an erection, erectile dysfunction, or even help one with issues such as premature ejaculation or delayed ejaculation.
They can also help alleviate issues such as:
Miseducation and education about sex.
Sexual trauma.
Feelings of fear, shame, anxiety related to sex.
Cultural, religious and social views about masculinity and femininity.
Encouraging proper communication.
You and your sex therapist will seek to modify your ideas and actions that are not enhancing your sexual life. Your appointments may be attended individually or together with your partner(s).
Your counselor might inquire about your:
General health and sexual history.
Attended schools for sex education.
Perceptions about sex.
Particular sexual problems.
Talking about sex may come off as difficult or even embarrassing. Sex therapists understand this and do everything they can to help you as much as possible. Realize that conversation plays a crucial role in psychotherapy. You should participate in the therapy. The connection and rapport between you and your therapist is vital for you both to effectively work together and get the most out of the therapy.
Your sex therapists might give you an assignment — a self-directed set of activities and exercises to perform in the privacy of your home. This may also entail some playful activities like trust and intimacy building exercises with one’s self or one’s partner(s).
Take note that sex therapy sessions do not include any form of physical interaction or sexual relations with the therapist. In case you have any form of discomfort during therapy, you may inform the therapist, discontinue the sessions and lodge a formal complaint.
A sex therapist can help you as best as they can and in doing so, can improve your sexual health and general wellbeing. Some benefits include:
Reduced Communication Barriers: Improved understanding and communication between partners.
Stronger Sexual Fulfillment: Recovery from dysfunction and improved sexual experiences.
Trauma Recovery: Help and support from past abuse trauma evolution.
Increased Confidence: Body positivity and self love enhancement.
Better Relationships: Intimacy issues and emotional connection repair.
The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) certifies sex therapists and counselors, which among other things requires training in human sexuality. Both professionals hold advanced degrees and have undergone comprehensive training in human sexuality.
These two experts approach sexual problems differently. Using psychotherapy, sex therapists resolve sexual issues, ranging from simple to complex. Using education and technique provision, sex counselors resolve more straightforward issues.
Various untrue beliefs about sex therapy exist, stopping folks from seeking a therapist’s help. Here are a few of them:
Misconception 1: Only a person with serious sexual difficulties can go for sex therapy. Reality: Any individual facing sexual health or relationship problems is free to get therapy.
Misconception 2: There’s always a hands-on component in therapy, sex therapists will also examine patients Physically. Reality: No contact takes place in sex therapy. It is conversational and therapeutic only.
Misconception 3: Discussing sex is always awkward. Reality: All of us experience sex throughout our lifetime, and so addressing certain issues proactively is likely to help improve one’s quality of life.
In order to achieve as a sex therapist, you have to complete the following tasks:
Complete an undergraduate education at a college or university, resulting in a Bachelor’s degree.
Obtain a master’s degree alongside two years of post-degree clinical work OR a doctoral degree with one year of post-degree clinical work. The advanced clinical degree must contain psychotherapy components and you must have at least 90 hours of academic coursework on sexuality education as part of the degree.
Acquire an associate license in the state where you will be practicing sex therapy.
To obtain a certification in sex therapy, an individual should work towards it for a minimum of nine years. This duration incorporates an undergraduate degree, an advanced clinical degree, and clinical work experience.
It is true that opening up about sex or sexual issues can be hard to talk about. Just know, a sex therapist can assist you in comprehensively dealing with barriers related to sex that can stop you from living a fulfilling and healthy life. These professionals are highly trained and knowledgeable concerning the latest research and best practice therapy techniques to assist you.
