Choosing a sex therapist can be a daunting task, especially if you and your partner are dealing with sensitive issues. In this article, we will offer five tips to help you select the best sex therapist for you and your partner to ensure you get the support and guidance you need.
- First of all, understand your own intentions
Before you even begin to seek the right therapist for yourself and your partner, ask yourself first why you need one in the first place.
As reported by the Everyday Health Group, it is crucial to gain clarity about the reasons for seeking help through therapy. Individuals should ask themselves questions such as, “Why do I need therapy? Why is it necessary now? What specific areas do I want to work on?” Considering these questions beforehand can help prepare individuals for therapy and facilitate a more productive and beneficial therapeutic journey.
Whatever problems you are currently struggling with, are they something that can be resolved by talking to a sex therapist?
After all, not all sex problems need the help of a therapist, you may instead be needing the help of a doctor. Or maybe, your relationship is already doomed for failure and no amount of therapy can save it.
It is alright not to find the right answer right away, after all, you are still trying your best for this situation, right?
However, it is important to ask these questions first so you become clear about what results you can expect from your sex therapy sessions.
It will do you good to begin online research and study the outline of what sex therapy looks like.
- Watch a lot of YouTube videos on the topic
To get a feel for what good sex counselling should look like, it may do you good to watch a bunch of videos on YouTube.
Get familiar with the kinds of things famous therapists usually talk about. Get familiar with sex problems that are common in a relationship and how you can resolve them on your own.
Then, you will know what to expect when it comes to professional help and advice from a therapist.
After watching a few different experts talk about the topic you are concerned with, you will begin to get a feel of what a good therapist is capable of helping you with.
That way, when you begin your next step of the research, your intuition alone can guide you to choose the ones that will be worthwhile to meet up with. Be sure to look up online first.
- Search sex therapists that have good credentials
If you don’t have any referrals to good sex therapists, the Internet is your best friend.
As per the article by Psychology Today, it is crucial to examine the experience and credentials of a potential therapist. A certification from a professional organization for sex therapists. This is followed by 90 hours of human sexuality training, 60 hours of sex therapy training, and extensive supervision under a qualified sex therapist.
Well, even if you get a referral from someone you know, it would not hurt to look up online the credentials of the therapist in question. Nowadays, everybody’s information is available online.
Good therapists, especially, should have an online presence, no matter how little.
Having an online presence indicates they are moving with the rest of the world and care about being connected to their potential clients before meeting face to face.
Usually, their websites or online profiles will state their field of expertise, experience and most importantly, their methods.
You can get a feel for what you are getting yourself into by searching up sex therapists online first.
There should be plenty of information to get you started before you finally make an appointment to meet with the therapist.
- Ask about therapy plans and insurance coverage
When you meet with your therapist for the first time, you should convey your issues and then ask about treatment plans.
Gauge for yourself if the treatment plans are right for you (but your therapist should know more about this) and then consider the fee of consultation, the frequency of visitations, and whether or not there is insurance coverage for the treatment plan.
As per the study reported by Verywell Health, therapy is a dynamic process that can evolve over time. However, it is entirely appropriate to inquire with any potential sex therapist about the proposed treatment plan and the expected time commitment for the therapy sessions. Additionally, discussing the cost of the therapy is also a valid consideration.
Of course, it is necessary to think about all kinds of financial and time constraints. However, if money is not a big deal for you, this may not be that pressing of an issue.
Still, do consider the time and distance from your home or workplace to the therapist’s practice office. Also, you can ask if there could be zoom sessions if that is more convenient for you.
Certain therapists who are tech-savvy may indeed offer a few sessions that can be done online.
- Meet with multiple therapists before choosing the right one
Yup, just like choosing anything else in life, interviews are important as part of natural selection. You must be wise and careful when choosing a sex therapist that is right for you.
After all, you will be under the professional care of the therapist of your choice for some time. In some cases, even your partner may be involved in your therapy.
So, choosing a therapist that feels good to work with you and your partner is important. Also, if it is important to you, you may want to gauge your therapist’s levels of empathy and patience.
Consider their style of speaking and whether or not they empathise with your issues, because there might be just those types of therapists who are rather cold and calculating.
Well, if that style suits you, it wouldn’t be a problem. All in all, remember that this is also about communication.
In conclusion, it was observed that choosing a sex therapist for you and your partner cannot be an easy job. These five tips can help you identify the one you are looking for and help you find the perfect therapist.
Does Sex Therapy Work For Couples?
Sex therapy is a specialized form of therapy that focuses on addressing and resolving sexual issues within a couple’s relationship. It is a type of psychotherapy that aims to improve the sexual functioning and satisfaction of both partners. While many couples may feel hesitant or embarrassed to seek out sex therapy, it has been found to be effective in addressing a wide range of sexual problems and improving overall relationship satisfaction. However, the question remains, does sex therapy really work for couples?
The effectiveness of sex therapy for couples has been a topic of debate among researchers and therapists. On one hand, there is a growing body of evidence that supports the effectiveness of sex therapy in improving sexual functioning and satisfaction for couples. On the other hand, some studies have shown mixed results, and there is still a lack of consensus on the overall effectiveness of sex therapy.
One of the main reasons why sex therapy is effective for couples is that it takes a comprehensive approach to addressing sexual issues. Unlike traditional couple’s therapy, which may focus on communication and emotional intimacy, sex therapy specifically targets sexual problems and provides a safe and non-judgmental space to discuss and address them. This approach makes it easier for couples to open up and talk about their sexual concerns, which is often the first step towards resolving them.
Moreover, sex therapy is based on a biopsychosocial model, which means that it takes into account the biological, psychological, and social factors that may be contributing to a couple’s sexual issues. This allows the therapist to understand the root cause of the problem and develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses these underlying factors. For example, a couple experiencing sexual dysfunction may have underlying medical conditions or psychological issues that need to be addressed in addition to working on their sexual relationship.
Another reason why sex therapy is effective for couples is that it uses a variety of techniques and interventions to address sexual issues. These may include cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness techniques, and sensate focus exercises, among others. By using a combination of approaches, sex therapists can tailor the treatment to the specific needs of each couple and provide them with the tools and skills they need to improve their sexual relationship.
Research has also shown that sex therapy can have a positive impact on overall relationship satisfaction. A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that couples who received sex therapy reported higher levels of relationship satisfaction and better communication compared to those who did not receive therapy. This is because sex therapy not only addresses sexual problems but also helps couples build a stronger emotional connection and improve their communication skills.
However, it is important to note that sex therapy may not work for every couple. Just like any form of therapy, the success of sex therapy depends on the willingness and commitment of both partners to actively participate in the treatment process. If one partner is not fully invested in the therapy, it may hinder the progress and effectiveness of the treatment.
In addition, the success of sex therapy may also depend on the specific sexual issue that the couple is facing. Some problems, such as erectile dysfunction, may have a physical component that requires medical treatment in addition to therapy. In such cases, sex therapy may not be as effective on its own.
In conclusion, while there may be some debate around the effectiveness of sex therapy, it has shown promising results in improving sexual functioning and satisfaction for couples. By taking a comprehensive approach and using a variety of techniques, sex therapy can address the underlying factors contributing to sexual issues and help couples build a stronger emotional connection. However, the success of sex therapy ultimately depends on the willingness and commitment of both partners to actively participate in the treatment process.
