Sex Therapy is
a systematic approach that addresses unsatisfactory sexual experiences
with a safe and suitable place to talk about sexual challenges with a caring
person who has specialized training. In addition, it is a place to be educated
about sexual functioning and an opportunity to learn about the complex
biological, emotional and psychological aspects of oneself and together as a
couple. Through sex therapy the individuals, as well as, the couple will
undergo a sexual retraining process that will provide the means to build
effective relational skills and healthy experiential processes for the purpose of increasing intimacy and a vital
sex life. The process may include exploring unresolved family or origin issues or unprocessed trauma that block unhealthy sexual relating. Sex Therapy can assist with a variety of challenges.
What Sex Therapy Can Address:
Premarital Preparation Setting and building a healthy sexual template is crucial for a
couple's life-long sexual relationship. Therefore, it is important to begin a
marriage with healthy and accurate information about all aspects of sexuality
including the biological, emotional, and spiritual. Sex Therapy can help
engaged couples reduce or eliminate anxieties or fears regarding the wedding
night and it can provide a safe environment for dialogue with one's fiance
about sex and sexuality including his and her histories and expectations.
Marital Dissatisfaction Sex Therapy can assist couples who want to enhance
their sexual intimacy or for those who are experiencing relational
difficulties or conflict. Unconsummated marriages is a growing phenomenon in
our culture. Problems of Sexual Desire
Sex Therapy is beneficial for couples where one or both spouses
are experiencing low or no sexual desire or where there is a discrepancy
between partners. Problems of Sexual Arousal
Arousal is an important part of the sexual experience. Sex
Therapy helps where one or both partners are having difficulty feeling aroused
or achieving or maintaining arousal. This would include erectile dysfunction or
lubrication difficulty. Problems of Sexual Release
Not being able to achieve or having difficulty achieving an
orgasm is incredibly frustrating and the impact can be adverse on a marriage.
This area of therapy will address premature, no, or delayed ejaculation
and anorgasmia. Problems of Sexual Intercourse or Pain
Sex was designed as a gift for pleasure. It is devastating to an
individual and a couple when sex is associated with pain. This area of
treatment will address issues of painful sex (physical or emotional). Compulsive or Addictive Sexual Behavior
Research reveals the devastating impact of a sex saturated
culture-millions of Americans struggle with sexual addiction. Treatment will
address those who are addicted to cybersex, pornography, masturbation,
fetishes, etc. Sexual Abuse and Trauma
Sadly, sexual abuse and sexual trauma is commonplace in our
culture and there are devastation effects that sexual abuse has on one's sexual
functioning both physically and emotionally. Sexual abuse and trauma can have
an impact on those sexual dysfunctions already mentioned above. However, one
can successfully journey through a therapeutic process that will enable the
individual to experience a satisfying and fulfilling sex life.
Issues that bring couples in for sex therapy are
viewed as a "couple" issue and not just her or his problem.
Therefore, sessions will generally include both spouses as well as individuals. Sex
Therapy can last from a few weeks to many months to a year or more depending
upon the severity and complexity of the issue(s). It is crucial that couples
understand that personal investment in the therapeutic process is
essential for successful outcomes. This means that consistent attendance
in therapy and completion of homework assignments are taken seriously.
