Sex therapy is a specialized form of professional counseling that helps women and men address concerns about sexual function, sexuality and sexual expression. These may include problems with arousal, inability to reach orgasm, painful intercourse or issues of sexual identity. Couples or individuals may talk to a therapist when they have differences in sexual desire, the need to increase verbal and physical communication, or to find ways to enhance their intimate relationships.

Who goes to sex therapy?
Sex therapy is appropriate for people of any age, gender or sexual orientation, whether they seek it out as individuals, couples, or as a group. Common reasons for seeking a therapist include: orgasm difficulties; premature ejaculation; erection problems; desire discrepancies; pain; identity and orientation issues; inhibitions; medical problems affecting sex; unusual sexual desires or behaviors; or any issue related to sexual identity, expression, or function.
What is a sex therapist?
A sex therapist is a credentialed professional with specialized training and experience in treating sexual problems. Virtually all sex therapists have extensive education and background in another field such as psychology (marriage and family therapy or mental health counseling) medicine or social work. Becoming a sex therapist usually involves training and guided practice. Although a relatively new field, it is a professional one, with its own set of guiding principles, code of ethics, professional organizations and journals.
What should I look for in a therapist?
Whether you end up seeing me or someone else, you need to screen potential therapists. Begin by finding out more about them and how they approach therapy. Some suggested questions you could ask:

* Are they licensed in a related field such as the ones mentioned above?
* Are they a member of professional organizations?
* Where did they get their training, and what is their degree
* Are they certified? By which organization?

Most provide a certificate meant to be displayed in the therapist’s office.

Sex therapists do not have sexual contact with their clients.

What does sex therapy involve?

Sex therapy does not involve sexual contact with a therapist! Nor should you be expected to perform any sexual activities in front of your therapist. Although there are “sex surrogates” who do have sex with clients for therapeutic reasons, these individuals only work under the supervision of a sex therapist. There really is no such thing as a “freelance” surrogate. I currently do not use sex surrogates.

Sex therapy involves talking more than anything. The therapist will try to ascertain what your issues are. (When did the issue start? Under what circumstances do they manifest? What are the contributing factors?) You can expect these discussions to be highly explicit though professional and respectful.

You can also expect the therapist to provide extensive education about sexual issues. Because so few people in our society have adequate knowledge about sexuality, this is one of the primary jobs of a sex therapist: acting as an educator providing specialized, focused education on topics such as anatomy, physical response or healthy sexual behavior. In my practice, sex education occurs with every client in one of the very first sessions.

It is not uncommon to be given homework assignments, such as reading various books, watching a video or trying a new behavior. You are always free to say that you do not feel comfortable with any suggestion and ask for an alternative, but keep in mind that homework is essential for your success.How long will therapy last?Therapy occurs during weekly sessions for 50 minutes. Although I may see some clients for longer periods of time, sex therapy is usually a focused experience that lasts for a few months or a year at most. Although it is perfectly okay to have regular “tune-ups” or to re-establish contact when new problems arise, it is highly unusual to be in sex therapy for years unless you are dealing with a severe sexual disorder or trauma.

What is the difference between a sexologist, psychologist, sex therapist and psychotherapist?

Sexologists and psychologists are researchers who may teach and publish their work. Sex therapists and psychotherapists focus exclusively on clinical applications (treatment) of sexology and psychology respectively. To make matters more complicated, just as there are specialties within psychology, so it is with sexology- just as there are clinical psychologists, there are also clinical sexologists (people who not only study, research, teach and publish, but also treat in a clinical setting.)How do you become a sex therapist?There are few graduate programs devoted to sexuality, so most practitioners have a background in a related field such as psychology or education and then choose to specialize. This can take the form of courses, workshops, internships or other post-doctoral trainings offered by universities or other institutions Common degrees are Ph.D., M.D., or MS.
For more information about becoming a sex therapist, consult the American Board of Sexologists.