Sex Therapy
If you are considering sex counseling, whether as an individual or as a couple, you are not alone. Sex can be hard to talk about within a relationship and that can create feelings of isolation, feeling damaged, or inadequate. There is a tendency to believe that sex between two people should come naturally. Although some couples might have experienced this in early stages of their relationship it is not uncommon for issues to develop over time. That’s because, like everything else, it takes work to make sex better.
It is not uncommon for sexual interest to decline over time. Many factors are correlated with this: having a family, work/life balance, anxiety, depression, communication, shameful feelings, religious beliefs, lack of intimacy, physical complications, past sexual trauma and abuse.
Common among survivors of sexual abuse can be feelings of numbness, detachment from the body, dissociation, lack of interest in sex, or a very high libido. For survivors of sexual abuse trauma work is a large part of the work that is done on sessions.
Sexual counseling involves both psychological and physiological education, including understanding the ways individuals are the same and the ways they differ regarding intimacy and sexuality. Personal histories are examined, cultural myths are debunked, when appropriate, and are replaced with more accurate ways to understand sexuality.
Homework, exercises, and reading are given in order to reinforce the conversations that occur in sessions. Helpful tools are taught to aid in communication and expression of needs, wants, and concerns. Empathy and compassion are taught to increase the understanding of both yourself and your partner. In addition, the concepts of individual sexuality and intimacy are explored and suggestions are provided to enhance growth outside of session.
Some of the issues we work with
- Anorgasmia
- Body Image
- Physical issues such as vaginal pain, eretile dysfunction, premature ejaculation
- Intimacy
- Sexual Desire
- Libido
- Communication
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