Talking through your intimacy worries and sexual apprehensions with a sex therapist can enable you to achieve better intimacy in your relationship and revitalize your sex life. But is sex therapy best for you?
Problems connected with sexual capabilities and intimacy questions are anything but unusual. Approximately a third of men and one half of all women encounter problems relating to sexual thoughts, sexual activities, or intimacy at some stage in their lives. Sex therapy can help.
Sex therapy is a form of therapy supplied by a qualified professional with specific training addressing concerns involving sex and human relationships. Sex therapy has been proven valuable for persons of diverse ages, genders, and sexual orientations. And sex therapy can be beneficial regardless of whether you’re currently in a relationship or single.
So how exactly does sex therapy work?
As part of your preliminary sessions with each other, you and your sex therapist should discuss the issues that motivated you to find professional support. Sexual issues can be complex, and your therapist will try to acquire a good idea of your specific situation.
While you and your sex therapist talk about the issues that brought you to counseling therapy, your therapist will assist you to acquire methods that will help you improve your communication and intimacy with your partner and find different methods to resolve your concerns.
If you’re in a relationship, it’s usually useful to involve your partner in meetings with your sex therapist. Couples sex therapy doesn’t aim to merely focus on expressing your emotions and frustrations with each other. There’s always physical work that needs to be performed by both partners too.
In general, a sex therapist will provide you and your partner “homework exercises.” Some of these normally include exploring sexual techniques, finding out how you can relax and concentrate on what you’re feeling while having sex, and modifying the way you interact with your partner in intercourse. As your therapy continues, you will expand on these experiences to further distinguish and refine the problems you want to deal with.
Sexual anxieties and intimacy issues are sometimes linked with other hidden causes. These causes often include psychological issues such as stress, anxiety, or depression. At the same time, sexual abilities is often negatively impacted by regular health conditions and also the side effects of medication. Depending on the problems you face, consulting a sex therapist may be all you require. All the same, you and your sex therapist might decide to talk with your doctor, psychiatrist, or physical therapist to provide comprehensive and reliable treatment.
So, what situations will sex therapy help handle?
Sex therapy may help you solve a multitude of conditions pertaining to sexual capabilities, thoughts that may involve your self-confidence, and the way you and your spouse interact with one another. Just a few of these include:
- Fears involved with sexual interest or arousal
- Addictive or uncontrollable sexual habits
- Erectile dysfunction
- Troubles achieving orgasm
- Climaxing too early (premature ejaculation)
- Unpleasant or painful sexual intercourse
- Concerns about sexual interests and sexual orientation
Isn’t talking about sex difficult?
Considering how problematic most people find speaking about sex with an intimate partner, facing sex and intimacy challenges with anyone you’re not familiar with causes almost everyone to feel at least slightly embarrassed. That having been said, sex therapists are trained to make sure you’re comfortable. Your therapist will recognize your concerns and will help you discover how to more effectively express your emotions and recognize your partner’s needs and desires.
How much time does sex therapy need?
Some sexual problems and intimacy difficulties are dealt with swiftly, with a few appointments. Nevertheless, to be sure therapy is effective, more than just a few therapy sessions are commonly needed. In the course of your initial sessions, your therapist will talk over with you what to expect, the number of sessions you may need, and how often you’ll meet.
How much does sex therapy cost?
Sex counseling services can cost $150 and up per appointment. Yet, quite a few medical care providers cover sex therapy. Talk to your insurance company before your first appointment to ensure sex therapy is included by your policy.
Finding a sex therapist that can meet your needs
Apart from searching the Web for sex therapists and counselors near you, nearby hospitals and university health facilities tend to offer sex therapy clinics or your general practitioner can recommend a licensed professional.
When considering sex therapists, be sure to check their credentials. Any sex therapist you use ought to have special expertise dealing with sexual difficulties and needs to be a licensed mental health provider.
Even the best therapist isn’t always the very best in every case. Effective therapy takes trust and rapport between you and your therapist. If you’re unhappy with your therapist, you need not give up hope for the value of therapy. Instead, search for another therapist who better suits your character and needs.
Is sex therapy appropriate for you?
Whether you seek the assistance of a sex therapist for a sexual difficulty you’ve faced for years or are unsure you truly require assistance, sex therapy can allow you to detect, deal with, and recover from concerns with your sexual experiences, increase your enjoyment of sex, and bring about greater intimacy in your relationship.
While some individuals have unrealistic expectations involving sex, romantic and sexual encounters should be pleasurable for you and your partner. If you believe sex to be stressful or difficult, sex therapy may help.