Sex therapy is a form ofpsychotherapythat is used to help individuals and couples address sexual problems.
Sex therapy is talk therapy, not hands-on therapy.
In a sex therapy session, everyone in the room remains fully clothed, and there is no touching.
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Sex therapists may recommend getting physical exams to get to rule out medical causes of sexual problems.
However, sex therapists do not perform medical exams on or have sexual interactions with their clients.
What Is Sensate Focus?
It involves a series of behavioral exercises that couples do together in order toenhance their intimacyand connection.
Foundation of Sensate Focus
There are seven elements that serve as the foundation of sensate focus.
Structured homework assignments are the component that separates sensate focus from otherbehavioral techniques.
The hallmark of sensate focus is that it temporarily takes stressful behaviors off a couples sexual menu.
One of you will arrange the date on the first night, the other on the second.
“Before your date, you’ll each take a warm shower to relax.
Then, the person setting up the date will help their partner get comfortable on the bed.
They’ll then spend half an hour exploring and enjoying the sensation of touching their partner’s body.
“After a half hour, you will switch.
Then the other partner will have a chance to do the same throw in of exploration.
The goal of this homework is not to give your partner a massage.
Instead, it’s to find enjoyment in touching, and being touched, without any expectations.
That’s why it’s important to communicate throughout this date.
Tell your partner what you like and what you don’t like.
It can be used for couples of all different ages, gender identities, and sexual orientations.
Much of the research has been for heterosexual couples.
Still, many therapists have adopted it for same sex and diverse orientation couples.
Sensate focus is well-accepted by sex therapists and other physicians working with sexual dysfunction.
That’s particularly true when it is used in combination with good education about sexual performance and function.
Sensate focus is a very safe technique, and most individuals find it easy to follow.
However, not all couples or individual therapists are comfortable using sensate focus.
It’s a technique that requires a great deal of comfort with discussion of explicit sexual topics.
That’s not something everyone has.
How to Find a Sex Therapist
There are several ways to go about finding a sex therapist.
The most affordable is often to search the provider list for your insurance company.
Look for a behavioral health practitioner who specializes in sex therapy.
AASECTcertified sex therapistsare required to undergo both training and clinical supervision in sexual health and therapy techniques.
Be aware that not all sex therapists take insurance.
The cost of sex therapy is likely to vary depending on where you live.
That said, sex therapy is often time-limited.
Pure sex therapy is generally expected to last no more than 10-12 sessions.
Sarwer DB, Durlak JA.A field trial of the effectiveness of behavioral treatment for sexual dysfunctions.J Sex Marital Ther.
