FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

What is Sex Therapy?

From Sexuality Times Newsletter, Vol. 1, Issue 1, May 2006

Facts About Sex Therapy

By Krista A. Bloom, LCSW; Board Certified Clinical Sexologist

One of the most common questions I am asked is “What is sex therapy?”

 What Sex Therapy IS

	Sex therapy is a treatment method which involves helping people who are having difficulty with sexual functioning
	Sex therapy is an internationally recognized profession known for its successful treatment of sexual disorders
	The goals are to relieve sexual symptoms causing a person or couple distress, and to improve overall sexual satisfaction and functioning for those who seek it
	The sex therapist combines psychotherapy with a combination of prescribed sexual experiences assigned as homework in order to alleviate sexual problems
	Sex therapists are recognized as professionals in the State of Florida.  They must be licensed as a psychotherapist and obtain specialty training and supervision

What Sex Therapy IS NOT

	Sex therapy is not imposed, but chosen by those in distress
	Sex therapy does not involve any sexual activity between clients and therapists
	Sex therapy does not allow sexual behaviors to take place in the office
	Sex therapy is not in any way inappropriate, but is respectful and nonjudgmental

 How common are sexual problems, and why do they exist? 

According to the National Health and Life Survey (1999), over forty percent of women and over thirty percent of men in the U.S. who responded reported some difficulties with sexual function.  Sexual problems can be related to physical, psychological, or relational factors, such as chronic pain, medical conditions, medication side effects, a history sexual abuse, a sense of shame related to social/familial taboos, or sexual dysfunction of a life partner.  Some people experience difficulty due to a lack of information about sexuality, or the inability to know what their wants and needs are and how to communicate those. 

What are some examples of sexual disorders?

	Low sexual desire
	Erectile Dysfunction
	Premature Ejaculation
	Inability to experience orgasm
	Gender Identity Disorder
	Distress about sexual performance or sexual orientation
	Sexual avoidance
	Engaging in unusual sex practices

 Who can benefit from sex therapy?

 A person can benefit from sex therapy if they have any sexual problems that are causing them distress, if they want to improve their sex life, if they want to learn about their sexual self, or if they want to improve their communication about their sexual needs and desires. 

For additional information, please contact

Krista Bloom, Ph.D., LCSW

7500 NW 5th Street, Suite 111 Plantation, FL 33317
Tel: (754) 234-6991     FAX: (954) 797-4911
 krista@healingcouch.com

For comments about the website, please e-mail webmaster@healingcouch.com .
Copyright © 2006 - 2008  Healing Couch, Inc.
Last modified: 10/19/08