10 Questions
What is one of the benefits of sex therapy?
Improving sexual satisfaction
Who may benefit from sex therapy?
Anyone who wants to improve their relationship with sex and pleasure
What is sexual dysfunction an umbrella term for?
Different types of sexual disorders
What can combining trauma-based therapy with sex-positive techniques be more effective in helping someone with?
Working through trauma-related sexual dysfunction
What can sexual trauma interfere with?
A person's ability to enjoy a healthy and fulfilling sex life
What might some individuals with a sexual trauma history require before exploring sexual desire and satisfaction in sex therapy?
Individual therapy to work through other issues
What is a topic that people can expect to discuss during sex therapy?
Their sexual background
What is a responsibility of a sex therapist?
Working with the individual or couple on their specific challenges
Why might someone want to consider a different sex therapist?
If the client doesn't feel comfortable with the therapist
How often and for how long will therapy sessions occur?
Depending on the client's needs and challenges
Study Notes
Sex Therapy Benefits
- Sex therapy can help individuals identify and overcome sexual challenges, such as low sex drive, pain during sex, and difficulty having an orgasm, to improve sexual satisfaction.
- It can be beneficial for anyone who wants to improve their relationship with sex and pleasure, especially those experiencing sexual dysfunctions.
Sexual Dysfunction
- Sexual dysfunction is an umbrella term for various recurrent difficulties related to sex, including:
- Delayed ejaculation
- Erectile disorder
- Male hypoactive sexual desire disorder
- Premature ejaculation
- Female orgasmic disorder
- Female sexual interest/arousal disorder
- Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder
- Substance/medication-induced sexual dysfunction
- Other specified sexual dysfunction
- Unspecified sexual dysfunction
- These dysfunctions can cause a lack of interest in sex, low confidence, sexual performance anxiety, painful intercourse, and an inability to become aroused or reach orgasm, impacting a person's ability to enjoy a healthy and fulfilling sex life.
Causes of Sexual Dysfunction
- Sexual dysfunction can have physical or psychological causes, and sometimes is associated with a history of abuse or sexual trauma.
Sex Therapy and Sexual Trauma
- Sex therapy may help individuals with a history of sexual trauma by combining trauma-based therapy with sex-positive techniques.
- Research suggests that this approach can be more effective in helping someone work through their trauma-related sexual dysfunction than using trauma-based therapy alone.
What to Expect from Sex Therapy
- Discussing one's sex life with a stranger may feel uncomfortable, but the therapist will begin with simple getting-to-know-you questions.
- Individuals can expect to discuss their:
- Health
- Sex education
- Sexual background
- Beliefs and ideas about sex
- Specific challenges with sex
- The sex therapist will work with the individual or couple on their specific concerns and challenges through talk therapy, without:
- Choosing sides or attempting to convince anyone to do anything
- Undressing or asking anyone to undress
- Having sexual relations or instructing sexual relations
- Note that compatibility is important for successful treatment, and individuals may need to find a therapist with whom they feel comfortable.
Discover the benefits of sex therapy in improving sexual satisfaction, addressing challenges, and overcoming dysfunctions. Learn how it can help individuals and couples.
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