The desire to attain complete sexual health is inherent within all human beings. Read on to learn more on what is sex therapy, who needs it and how one can benefit from it.
Who can benefit from Sex Therapy?
The gaps between human beings—culture, gender, age, religion—often make it difficult to connect with one another in a healthy social manner, let alone a physical one. Sex today is more visible than ever and the process in which we consume it, engage with it, and ultimately connect with it has changed. This level of visibility has set standards for our own sexuality which can heighten the guilt, embarrassment, anxiety and fear associated with sexual problems. Sex therapy today is more necessary than ever. It allows those who were once isolated by embarrassment to enter into a process which gives them hope.
Trying treatment for sexual problems has become more socially unobjectionable today, but it’s still not comfortable for many to talk to a professional person about such a deeply intimate topic. However, therapy is just what you might need sometimes.
“The prescription of specific and structured erotic experiences is the distinctive feature of sex therapy. With considerable certainty, there are lots of people out there who could use sex therapy but don’t come because they’re made to feel uncomfortable because of shame. They may go through years of pain or feeling displeased.”
-Dr A. Chakravarthy, Consultant in Reproductive & Sexual Medicine, Kerala President at International Association of Sexual Medicine.
What is Sex Therapy?
Sex therapy can be frightening and confusing. Generally, the outcome will depend on the patient’s willingness to submit to the process. If a patient works hard it can bring about real, fundamental change. The therapeutic process will depend on what one personally wants to gain from it. One must decide how much they’re willing to emotionally put into it.
Entering sex therapy with an open mind, an optimistic attitude and a strong desire to work with the therapist will always achieve the best results. Sex therapy can be the first step in enriching lives, setting goals and building up to complete sexual health.
Sexual health is not only important to individuals but for our society as a whole. Those who lead happy, healthy sex lives are often less likely to harbor insecurities, fears and anxieties. These feelings can sometimes lead to abuse, crime or other destructive behaviors. Those experiencing physical or emotional sexual problems can benefit from a therapeutic process specifically designed to help them.
What Does Sex Therapy Treat?
Sex therapy can help alleviate a wide array of issues, both physical and emotional. Before making the decision to visit a sex therapist it’s important to eliminate the possibility that these problems are caused by a physical illness. Most sex therapists recommend that you consult a doctor, especially if your problem is physiological in nature. A specialist in sexual medicine, gynecology or urologist can find out troubles due to illness, ageing, or metabolism and hormonal instabilities. Drug and other substance abuse like alcohol, medication, and smoking can all disturb sexual performance.
Sex therapy typically begins with exploring the sexual issues that a couple may be facing, learning about sex and then moves on to teaching the couple how to establish open lines of communication to discuss sexual wants and needs. The couple may also explore issues causing relationship stress.
Sex therapy is a specific type of counseling designed to treat sexual problems affecting both individuals and couples. While there is no magic cure, proper treatment can diagnose the underlying issues which lead to unhealthy sexual relationships. Once a proper diagnosis has been made, a treatment plan can be outlined with the goal being to achieve a healthy sexual balance. Sex therapy is not limited to sexual issues with your partner. Its purpose is to enrich an individual’s life in preparation for sexual intimacy and enjoyment. While many choose to experience sex therapy as a couple, it’s also very common for individuals to attend sessions alone.
It’s important to remember that sex therapy is similar to psychological counseling — that means, it won’t fix any physical limitations that are leading to sexual dysfunction. What it can help with is problems that are primarily mental or emotional in nature.
If you are facing any sexual related issues in your marriage or relationship, speak with our expert counsellors anonymously at Askmile.com.
