It is also referred to as surrogate-assisted sex therapy and surrogate partner therapy.
The surrogates worked closely with therapists to act as a mentor or coach to the clients.
A therapist will first have talk therapy sessions with a client.
Dragana991 / Getty Images
Sex surrogates work in close collaboration with a therapist and a client.
Techniques
One of the misconceptions about this jot down of therapy might be that its just sex.
If it were just sex, there wouldnt be a therapeutic componentwhich there is.
It’s also important to note that sex surrogacy does not always involve sex or sexual interactions.
Just as in real intimate relationships, it is important to have a level of emotional intimacy first.
In fact, this is a model for building thatintimacyoutside of the therapy room.
Sensuality
Next, the client and the surrogate will begin to become intimate with touch.
A technique often used issensate focus, which involves touching mindfully.
The focus is meant to be on the sensation and experience of the touch being given and received.
This means that the relationship will have a definitive end.
It can also be helpful for those living with paralysis or brain trauma or who have autism or schizophrenia.
Additionally, some say that this pop in of paid relationship doesnt help clients out in the real world.
If youre not already in therapy, a sex therapist is a great place to start.
TheAmerican Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapistshas a directory of sex therapists on its website.
This work is likely undoing years of programming, so it is best to be patient.
If anything doesnt feel right, trust your gut.
By w. H. Masters and v. E. Johnson.
Little, brown, boston.
1971;4(4):465-467. doi:10.1002/tera.1420040411
Code of ethics.SurrogateTherapy.org.
Emelianchik-Key K, Stickney K.Using surrogate partner therapy in counseling: treatment considerations.
Published online November 19, 2019:105-113. doi:10.34296/01021020
Freckelton I.Sexual surrogate partner therapy: legal and ethical issues.
Psychiatry, Psychology and Law.
2016;42(7):573-575. doi:10.1080/0092623X.2016.1158758
The Cleveland Clinic.Sexual Dysfunction in Females.
Ben-Zion I, Rothschild S, Chudakov B, Aloni R.Surrogate versus couple therapy in vaginismus.
The Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Published September 12, 2016.
Rosenbaum T, Aloni R, Heruti R.Surrogate partner therapy: ethical considerations in sexual medicine.J Sex Med.
2014;11(2):321-329. doi:10.1111/jsm.12402
The Somatic Sex Educators Association.Sexological Bodywork.
