If you’re considering going to therapy for personal or relationship issues, you might be wondering how the topic of sex factors in. After all, sex is a huge part of both partnerships and a single person’s sense of intimacy. While both traditional therapists and sex therapists aim to improve their clients’ mental well-being, emotional stability, and interpersonal relationships, there are notable differences in their approaches and areas of expertise. Choosing the right type of therapist to see is key to accurately addressing your concerns and receiving the best support.
Understanding Traditional Therapy
Traditional therapy, also known as talk therapy or psychotherapy, is a broad term. In reality, therapists, counselors, and psychologists use many different approaches under this umbrella. They help clients cope with mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and personality disorders.
Depending on their training, a therapist might specialize in behavioral therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). They may also focus on particular mental issues, such as trauma, and employ targeted techniques like eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) or cognitive processing therapy (CPT).
Generally, a traditional therapist’s focus is addressing a wide range of emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues. Even those coping with grief, stress, or relationship issues that aren’t diagnosable conditions benefit from traditional forms of therapy.
Defining Sex Therapy
Compared with traditional therapy, sex therapy is a much more precise field. Sex therapists instead focus on addressing issues that specifically relate to sexuality, intimacy, and sexual health. They’re trained to deal with client concerns such as sexual dysfunction, low libido, communication problems between partners, sexual trauma, and struggles with sexual orientation. Sex therapists create a safe, non-judgmental space where individual clients or couples can openly discuss their intimate concerns and work towards improving their sexual experiences and overall intimacy satisfaction.
Also, sex therapists often undergo additional training and certifications in sexology or related fields. This means they can provide specialized and evidence-based interventions for certain sexual issues and traumas. They’re certified to use targeted techniques like sensate focus exercises, communication training, and cognitive restructuring.
What Happens in a Sex Therapy Session
A sex therapy session might look very similar to a traditional therapy session. You’ll most likely talk with your therapist about your issues, goals, and sexual and mental health history. They’ll help you get to the root of your issues, including dealing with deep sexual trauma.
They may also work with you on education about sexual health, developing healthy coping strategies, and even homework to do alone or with an intimate partner. Depending on your issue, they’ll help you coordinate with a medical doctor to treat physical problems such as low libido, erectile dysfunction, or pain during sex. You should note that sex therapy will never actually involve sex, and you should never feel violated during a session.
How to Know Which is Right For You
It’s important that you carefully consider your situation. Are you already seeing a traditional therapist? If so, bring up your concerns in your sessions. They may be able to recommend a trusted sex therapist if they feel your issues are outside their scope.
Are you having intimacy issues with a partner? Talk with them about the type of therapy you both think you’d benefit from. If you decide to see a sex therapist, be sure to check out their qualifications and make sure their research fields align with the issues you’re facing. Together with your therapist, you can have an empowering sex life and find fulfillment in intimacy.
To find out more about whether sex therapy can address your issues, please reach out to us.
