When you hear the term “sex therapist,” you might be wondering what type of professional this is and what exactly they do. Maybe you find yourself questioning your level of intimacy in your relationships. Perhaps you have concerns about sexuality that make you uncomfortable opening up to others.
Understanding what a sex therapist is and what type of services they offer can be enlightening. It’s often a great first step in addressing any problems you’re experiencing in this area of your life.
Understanding Sex Therapy
Let’s start with the basics. A sex therapist is a licensed professional whose specialty is helping people work through challenges in their relationships that are related to sex and intimacy. Sessions with a sex therapist can be for individuals or couples.
Sex therapists go through specialized training beyond basic mental health education to help them better understand the connection between psychological, physical, and relational factors that can impact your sexual health and intimacy. Areas that fall under the sex therapist’s territory include the following:
• communication problems
• mismatched desires
• performance anxiety
• trauma recovery
• sexual dysfunction
Working with a sex therapist allows you to enter into a safe, non-judgmental space. This makes it easier to be vulnerable and explore these sensitive topics at your own pace.
What Does Sex Therapy Look Like?
Contrary to what you may think, sex therapy relies heavily on talking rather than physical exercises. Most sessions begin with a conversation about your feelings and any concerns about your relationship dynamics. As you make your way through your therapy regimen, your therapist will help you to do the following:
• Address underlying issues: Some sexual concerns come from a deeper place, such as past trauma, chronic stress, mental health conditions, or emotional issues.
• Develop coping strategies: Together, you’ll build practical techniques for managing performance anxiety, increasing intimacy, and building confidence.
• Explore values and beliefs: Cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, and family influence can all shape our view of sexuality. Any of these factors can create internal conflict when it comes to sex and intimacy.
• Improve communication: Many sex-related issues stem from communication gaps, such as difficulty discussing desires, boundaries, and concerns. Through therapy, you’ll practice more effective communication techniques.
Common Reasons for Seeking Sex Therapy
While the name indicates the obvious, a sex therapist can help with many concerns that go beyond the basic concept of sex. Some of the most common are listed below:
• Addressing issues surrounding infidelity
• Answering sexual orientation questions
• Exploring sexual identity
• Managing concerns related to pregnancy and parenthood
• Mismatched libidos
• Navigating changes in sexuality due to age, illness, or major life transitions
• Performance anxiety or sexual dysfunction and the root causes
What to Expect with Sex Therapy
During your initial visit, you’ll go through a consultation or intake process. This allows your therapist to gather necessary information to understand your situation, set appropriate goals, and plan the course of treatment.
The following sessions can be used to build skills for pleasure and arousal, explore anatomy and functioning, examine relationships with erotic sources, and assess sexual habits that aren’t helpful to you and/or your partner. Sex therapy can help shift the focus from a singular act to a deeper experience.
Taking the Next Steps
Traditional therapy can absolutely help you navigate through relationship issues, but sex therapy can go that extra step in untangling the complex nature of sexual health. Acknowledging any problem areas and exploring options for sexual help is a sign of strength. After all, sex is a natural part of the human experience and an important aspect of well-being.
If you’re struggling with your sex life or intimacy with your partner, we’re here to help. Whether it’s an individual concern or a relationship challenge, we can work through it to build the connection you deserve. Contact our office to schedule a consultation and take the next steps towards healing. Contact us.