What Is Therapy For Sexuality And How Can A Sex Therapist Help?

What is therapy for sexuality? Sex therapists are licensed professionals who study the psychology behind human sexuality and use various evidence-based methods of treatment for sexual dysfunctions and sexual trauma. If you have sexual concerns, attending sex therapy sessions may be able to help. 

Sex therapy may combine psychotherapy (talk therapy) and other forms of treatment. Professional sex therapists provide a safe, inclusive, trauma-informed, and non-judgmental environment to discuss any sexual problems that may be impacting you. You can work with a sex therapist individually or as a couple. 

What is a certified sex therapist?

Sex therapists are certified professionals who may have training in fields such as psychology, social work, or medicine. These licensed healthcare providers are called sex therapists because they specialize in treating various sexual issues, including sexual dysfunction and sexual trauma. Sex therapy combines talk therapy with other types of treatment, including homework assignments for clients to complete outside of sessions. 

It is not recommended to work with a sex therapist who does not have the proper certifications and training. Therapists are required to be licensed in the state they are practicing in, but there is no official rules of who can call themselves a sex therapist. For this reason, it is important to be mindful of what training and certifications a potential therapist holds. Sex therapists may include licensed mental health professionals who are trained in sex therapy and hold various titles, including Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC).

If a sex therapist violates your boundaries in any way, report them and stop seeing them. Sex therapists do not prescribe medication or treat hormonal problems that can impact sexual function. For physical sexual health conditions that may be affecting sexual function, seek medical advice from a healthcare provider. Talk therapy to improve sexual function can be used in conjunction with medical treatments from a general practitioner. 

American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists

The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) certifies sex therapists and counselors in the US. 

Sex therapists and sex counselors are different because sex therapists focus on using psychotherapy to treat the psychological aspect of sexual dysfunction, whereas counselors offer sexual education and teach skills for improving sexual health in the short term. 

Sexuality educators take a more instructional and educational approach to sex therapy by teaching their clients specifics about sexual health and psychology in a class-like setting. 

Some sex therapists go through advanced clinical training in psychotherapy and sexual education that could take nine years or more. Training includes academic work and clinical experience. The AASECT requires participants to have an advanced degree and clinical experience – including 90 hours of sex education and 60 hours of sex therapy training. The certification can be renewed every three years with a requirement of a minimum of 20 continuing education (CE) credits.

Who can benefit from therapy for sexuality?

Not everyone experiences sexual desire or wants to have sex, but for some people sexual dysfunctions can have an impact on their well-being. If sexual issues negatively affect your mental, emotional, or physical health sex therapy may be right for you. 

Having a healthy sex life is a goal for many couples or individuals. Sex therapists are here to help with evidence-based solutions for treating a variety of sexual concerns. People seek out therapy for sexuality for a variety of reasons and may do so as an individual or with their sexual partner(s). Lack of libido, sex addiction, and performance issues are just a few examples of why people seek out sex therapy. 

You do not necessarily have to be experiencing a sexual dysfunction or problem to benefit from sex therapy. Expanding your sexual education can help you to have more satisfying sexual experiences and practice better sexual health. 

Sex talk therapy can help with these sexual issues:

• Communication between sexual partners
• Sexual trauma 
• Sexual education 
• Anxiety, fear, or shame regarding sex
• Gender identity or sexuality issues 
• Cultural, religious, or societal issues regarding sex
• Poor body image
• Sex addiction 
• Porn addiction 

How sex therapy works

Thoughts and emotions can impact sexual function and sexual satisfaction. That is why sex therapists use talk therapy to help people gain insight into the thoughts and emotions behind any sexual issues that are impacting them. For example, anxiety about sexual performance can impact sexual desire and satisfaction. Treating the client’s anxiety with talk therapy and other interventions, like exposure therapy or medication, can help to improve sexual function. 

The sexual cycle includes four stages: desire, arousal, orgasm, and resolution. Negative thoughts, mental health conditions, trauma, and other psychological factors can lead to issues in the sexual cycle such as a lack of arousal or an inability to orgasm. Sex therapists can help individuals develop self-awareness around their thoughts and physical reactions during the sexual cycle. 

Sex therapy is an evolving field of practice. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), these factors are currently prevalent for sexual therapists:

• Mindfulness-based therapy approaches  
• Improving inclusiveness 
• Using talk therapy to reduce the need for pharmaceutical interventions
• Focusing on the needs of the couple rather than the individual 
• Changing societal attitudes about sex 

Sexual trauma therapy

Sexual trauma is one of the reasons why some people experience persistent sexual issues such as pain during intercourse or anxiety about sex. Sexual dysfunction from trauma can contribute to anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms. One study on the impact of sex therapy on trauma survivors showed that a sex-positive treatment approach to trauma may be more effective than traditional talk therapy alone. 

Another study found that traditional therapy treatment for PTSD did not have benefits for addressing sexual problems for trauma survivors. This study suggests that a direct approach to treating sexual problems may be needed to help trauma survivors overcome sexual concerns. 

*If you are currently experiencing a crisis, text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.

What to expect in your first sex therapy session

The first thing to know about sex therapy sessions is that professional sex therapists are dedicated to safeguarding you and are required to follow a professional code of ethics. At the time of your first sex therapy session, you will have a discussion with the therapist about what your current sexual concerns are. You and the therapist can work together to come up with a game plan for treating sexual dysfunction. 

The questions that you may be asked during your first appointment include your medical history, sex education, personal beliefs about sex, and what sexual concerns are currently impacting you. Being open and honest with your sex therapist will enable them to best meet your needs. Talking about sex may be uncomfortable for some individuals, but sex therapists are trained to help guide you through the process. 

If you do not feel comfortable with the first therapist you see, you can always try another one until you find the right fit. Having a trusting and open therapeutic relationship with your sex therapist can help you make the most out of your sessions. Some people open up more as the sex therapy sessions progress and they become more comfortable discussing sexual topics with the therapist. 

Sex therapists often assign “homework” for their clients to complete outside of their sessions. The therapist may have the individual or couple practice communication techniques sensate focus exercises, or other techniques and then report back. 

Types of therapy for sexuality 

• Cognitive behavioral therapy 
• Emotion-based therapy
• Mindfulness therapy 
• Couples communication therapy 

Not all types of sex therapy are the same. Professional sex therapists may recommend a variety of therapeutic approaches to treat specific sexual concerns. Sex therapy treatment approaches aim to address the biological, psychological, and social factors that impact human sexuality. 

Online therapy 

Some people may not feel comfortable attending in-person sex therapy sessions due to personal concerns. Thanks to the rise of telehealth and Zoom therapy, people are now able to attend sex therapy sessions from the comfort of their homes. You can find a sex therapist online using an internet-based therapy platform such as BetterHelp. 

Benefits of online therapy for sexual issues include:

• Professional help regardless of location
• A comfortable setting
• Less travel time or costs 

Is online therapy effective for treating sexual concerns? Some experts believe it may be even better than in-person sessions because of increased boundaries and improved comfortability. A 2022 study found that online CBT therapy for pregnant women was an effective treatment for improving sexual function. The current research details on online therapy provide evidence that online talk therapy is just as effective as in-person sessions.