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By Mayo Clinic staffYou'll likely begin sex therapy by describing your specific sexual concerns. Sexual issues can be complicated, and your therapist will want to get a clear idea of all the factors involved. Once your therapist understands the situation, he or she will discuss ways to resolve your concerns and improve your communication and intimacy.
If you're in a relationship, it's usually most helpful to involve your partner in meetings with your sex therapist. You and your partner may be assigned a series of homework exercises, such as:
- Reading about sexual techniques
- Slowing down and focusing on what you're sensing during sexual encounters
- Changing the way you interact with your partner during sex
Sex therapy is usually short term. Some concerns can be addressed quickly, in just a few visits. Typically, however, a number of counseling sessions are required — usually weekly or once every two weeks for several months. As sex therapy progresses, you'll use your home experiences to further identify and refine the issues you'd like to work on. Remember, sexual coaching that involves physical contact isn't considered part of mainstream sex therapy.
Keep in mind that concerns about sex and intimacy are often linked to other underlying issues, such as stress, anxiety or depression. In other cases, sexual function is affected by chronic illness, medication side effects or surgery. Depending on your concerns, seeing only a sex therapist may be enough — or your sex therapist may be part of a team that includes your doctor, psychologist or physical therapist. For some sexual concerns, medication may be helpful.
- Giommi R, et al. The therapeutic dilemma: How to use psychotherapy. International Journal of Andrology. 2005;28:81.
- Bhasin S, et al. Sexual dysfunction in men and women. In: Kronenberg H. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/199243331-3/992322664/1555/124.html. Accessed June 15, 2010.
- Frequently asked questions. American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists. http://www.aasect.org/faqs.asp. Accessed June 15, 2010.
- Crowe M. Managing couple relationship and individual psychological problems in psychosexual therapy. Psychiatry. 2006;6:95.
- Al-Azzawi F, et al. Therapeutic options for postmenopausal female sexual dysfunction. Climacteric. 2010;13:103.
- Kedde H, et al. Efficacy of sexological healthcare for people with chronic diseases and physical disabilities. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy. 2010;36:282.
- Althof SE. What's new in sex therapy. Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2010;7:5.
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