Sex therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that individuals and couples can undergo together or go through on their own to work through their sexual challenges and make their sexual satisfaction better. Typically, it is a form of talk therapy in couples or individuals can expect to talk about concerns or hesitations regarding physical intimacy.
Anybody who wants to improve their relationship with sex and pleasure can benefit from sex therapy because it helps those who have difficulty with painful intercourse, inability to reach orgasm, lack of sexual arousal, or other sexual dysfunctions.
As a couple, sex therapy does not require both partners. Though some people may find couples’ sex therapy useful, others may benefit more from individual therapy sessions. Couples often go for therapy because of sexual dysfunction or when some part of their sexual relationship is off. It can also be used to keep relationships strong and free of deceit for many years.
If you are experiencing a sexual problem, do not keep quiet. The last thing you can do is to talk about it. But if shyness keeps you from looking for help, know this: 31% of men and 43% of women report some degree of sexual dysfunction. That is what sex therapy is designed for – to get to the bottom of sexual issues and overrule them.
Things to consider before going for a therapy session
Before a therapy session, you (as an individual) or your partner (as a couple) must seek a sex therapist compatible with you or both of you. This means that, as a couple, you must be deliberate about communicating with your partner after sessions, particularly regarding their reactions to the therapist’s personality and treatment methods.
Things that happens in a sex therapy session
A sex therapist can help you work through emotional issues that may add to your sexual issues, like erectile dysfunction. Couples may also delve into the issues causing their relationship stress. If performance anxiety is the issue, the sex therapist would, in most cases, start with learning about performance anxiety, after which the therapist will teach the couples how to establish open lines of communication to discuss sexual needs and wants.
Benefits of sex therapy in a relationship
Sex therapy can help with many relationship issues by positively impacting the overall mental outlook of those being treated. The followings are ways by which sex therapy can ameliorate relationships;
- It will enhance the understanding of each other’s sexual wants, desires, and needs.
- It will improve sexual and emotional communication.
- Fantasy exploration (it is easy for an individual to disclose their sexual fantasies to a neutral third party) will be amplified.
- It can help to eliminate sexual boredom by enhancing sensuality and sexuality through sexual exercises.
