Is Sex Therapy For You?
Is sex therapy for you?
It is! If Oprah was giving away sex therapy, she’d be giving it to you, and YOU, and YOU!
But, seriously. It is for you. I can say this with confidence because if you are a sexual being, chances are you have likely experienced any one of the following:
Low confidence
Difficulty responding to sexual stimulation
Feeling sexual shame related to your culture or faith
Ejaculating too soon, or not being able to ejaculate
Lack of interest in sex
Anxiety before, during, or after being sexual
Difficulty obtaining or maintaining an erection
Feeling worried or perhaps upset by sexual fantasies
Changing sexuality with parenting, aging, illness
Feeling out of control of your sexual behaviors
Wondering how does one keep the sexy alive in long term relationships?!
Pain before, during, or after being sexual
Trouble communicating what is interesting to you from a sexual standpoint
. . . and I could keep going.
Sex therapy helps you get a deeper understanding of the challenges you are experiencing in the sexual relationship you have with YOURSELF or with your PARTNER.
Which means you can come to therapy on your own or with your partner! There are benefits to both, and your therapist can help you determine what makes the most sense.
In case you are wondering, sex therapy is just like talk therapy in that there is no touching, everyone keeps their clothes on, and there are no exams or anything that resembles an exam room.
Sex therapists know you are probably a little nervous to come in and work pretty hard to make the experience as comfortable as possible. Think comfortable couches, soft blankets, tea, and pretty plants and art.
The reality is, you likely weren’t taught the skills to have conversations about sex with your partner, and for many, it is difficult to talk about their sexual relationships with friends.
Did you hear all about the great sex so-and-so had last night, but find yourself struggling to relate? Who can you talk to?
(a sex therapist)
. . . ideally one who is certified by the American Academy of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists). Visit aasect.org to learn more about the requirements to obtain this credential and how working with a therapist with comprehensive training can benefit you.
Your sex therapist will help you fill in the missing pieces with good information and specific suggestions. Sometimes that’s all that is needed for you to be on your way to a more satisfying sex life. Other times, there may be more to dig into, examine and heal. A good assessment will help clarify the plan for your treatment.
Sex therapy will help you name the stories you create around your sexuality (that may or may not be serving you), understand the emotions that come up, and explore the options available to you to reframe the struggles in your sexual relationship.
Of course sex therapy is for YOU!
