In its most distilled form, sex therapy is a form of talk therapy. What sets sex therapy apart from other forms of discourse is that during sex therapy people talk specifically about how their sex, sexuality, gender, sexual trauma, sexual behaviors and kinks are influenced by and can affect their romantic, sexual, family, and platonic relationships, says Laurie Mintz, Ph.D., sexologist and author of Become literate & A Tired Woman’s Guide to Passionate Sex.
“The main goal is to help people solve their sexual problems and find ways to improve their sexual satisfaction and sexual functioning,” she told mbg.
People can undergo sex therapy as a single, couple, polycule, or any other relationship structure where they would benefit from resolving sexual issues, which could include erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, asexual relationships, low libido, anorgasmia, dysparenia and more. , she says. Other issues like healing from sexual trauma, shame or infidelity can also be addressed in sex therapy.
For someone to be a sex therapist, they must become a licensed mental health professional (i.e. licensed psychologists, therapists or clinical social workers) and have received specialized training that allows them to treat clients with sexual issues and concerns, Mintz says. .
