Lots of people have misconceptions about what sex therapy is. Sex therapy can be provided by practitioners of a variety of backgrounds (e.g. physicians, psychologists, counsellors etc) and deals directly with supporting people through talk therapy (or medical intervention, depending on the practitioner) to improve their sex lives. Read on for my approach to sex therapy, information about the types of concerns I typically address and some suggestions how to know if you can benefit from sex therapy.
As a clinical psychologist and sex therapist, I help people establish healthy sex lives. Often, I work with people experiencing problems relating to sexual function and sexual relationships. Sexual function can be considered the various aspects of a sexual response which include and are not necessarily limited to sexual desire, arousal (including erectile function and lubrication but also one’s mental sense of arousal), orgasm or pleasure and or pain with sexuality activity. Sexual difficulties are also not exclusive to sexual function but can also be more psychosocial, in that they relate more to our sense of self or to our relationship with others. Common sexual concerns can relate to anxiety, inhibition, past trauma, dissociation, body image concerns, judgemental or critical thinking, distraction, resentment, and lack of confidence, to name a few.
Intimate relationships can often be challenged when sexual problems develop. It is common for sexual difficulties to co-occur in partners, where-in when one partner has a sexual concern, the other party often develops one too. When sexual difficulties arise, it often results in disconnection within intimate partnerships, but the reverse is also true, in that when disconnection is experienced within intimate relationships, it can also lead to problems with sex. It can be important to work with a professional to decipher which should be the target of therapy, the relationship, the sex, or perhaps both.
If you find yourself wondering whether sex therapy may benefit you - Here are a few reasons that you might consider seeking support related to sexuality.
· You feel like there is something wrong with you when it comes to sex.
· Sex is often a source of conflict with your partner.
· You can’t think of any rewards or benefits that come from engaging in sexual activity.
· You are unable to experience arousal or sexual pleasure.
· Sexual experiences leave you feeling broken, inadequate, sad or lonely.
· Sex feels like a chore, that you wish you could just be rid of.
· You feel distressed or worried when you think about your sex life.
· You feel like you don’t know how to talk about sex with your partner.
Disclaimer: The content offered in this blog is the content of Dr. Lauren Walker. Answers to questions are not exhaustive and are offered as potential ideas to begin to address sexual questions and concerns. The answers are not meant to replace medical advice or psychotherapy, and are included for educational and entertainment purposes.
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