What is sex therapy?

Curious what sex therapy is?

So first of all, what is sex therapy?

Sex therapy is a type of “talk therapy” or psychotherapy in which you talk to your therapist about your sexual health and functioning.  Sex therapists have specialized training in sexual health and the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of sexual dysfunction.  Sex therapy may feel a lot like “normal therapy” especially as you are getting to know your therapist, and they are assessing what is going on and what treatment will look like.  What may feel different between going to a sex therapist, as opposed to a non-sex therapist, is the utilization of a biopsychosocial framework, using a multidisciplinary team for treatment, and the type of behavioral homework you do at home.  Not too scary, right?

Biopsycho-what?

All healthcare providers use a framework known as the “biopsychosocial” model when working with clients. Sex therapists utilize this model due to the physical and biological components of sexual health.  A sex therapist may refer you to your primary care doctor, a gynecologist, a pelvic floor physical therapist, urologist, or another healthcare specialist depending on what the diagnosis and treatment is.  Collaborating with a medical professional can help rule out biological issues or causes and can also help support sex therapy treatment.   

Sex therapists also focus on the mind-body connection and how your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and past experiences impact your body and arousal.  It is very common that anxiety, depression, stress, relational issues, body image issues, and past trauma can impact sexual functioning.  Sex therapists have unique training to create a treatment that combines cognitive behavioral tools, mindfulness exercises, and helps to reduces the shame and stigma associated with sexual health.

My Approach

I understand how scary and intimating it can be to start this process. Most of us weren’t taught in our Sex Ed or by our families how to discuss our sexual selves, our interests and desires, and how to advocate for our pleasure. Sexual intimacy is one of the most important aspects in a relationship, but yet we’re given little to no information on how to have these conversations with a partner. I go at a pace that feels right for my clients, and I make sure that there’s established trust and safety in the room before we dive into topics that are more sensitive.

Since this can be such a challenging topic to navigate for many of us, it’s important to find a therapist who has specific training in sexual health, sexual functioning, and sexuality as a whole. As an AASECT certified sex therapist, I have had in-depth training, supervision, and education specifically around assessing, diagnosing, and treating sexual dysfunctions and other sexual health concerns.