Inspired by Oni-Angel's thread, here's some information from around the net on sex therapy, some of the different types, and where to go to get it.
If I'm missing something, please post and let me know, and I'll add it.
Table of Contents:Post One: Sex therapy information.
Post Two: Sexual disorders information.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
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Sex TherapyTaken from:
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/sex_relationships/facts/sextherapy.htmWho to contact for sex therapy
Written by Christine Webber, psychotherapist
Whether sex and relationship problems are on the up, or whether numbers have grown following people's willingness to seek help is unclear. What is clear is that if you have any concerns regarding any area of you sexuality, there are plenty of ways in which you can get help.
We've put together a quick checklist of the best approach to take.
Your GP For most problems, a good starting point is to visit your GP. Speak to them about any problems you might have. It might be a good idea to book a 'double' appointment. Most GP's allow a maximum of 10 minutes per patient, but to start talking about sexual problems can take much longer. Your GP may personally be able to offer some help to you. If not, they should discuss the viability of you getting some help on the NHS. This treatment is free.
Family planning clinics Family planning clinics are staffed by doctors (most of them female) trained in psychosexual matters. Most of these doctors are very easy to get on with, very relaxed and - it's good to know - have seen it all before! They are particularly good with problems like vaginismus, low libido, poor technique, difficulty reaching orgasm, premature ejaculation, ejaculatory incompetence and inability to conceive, etc. This treatment is free.
Hospitals In some areas of the country - London is relatively well off in this respect - there are psychosexual units at large hospitals. There is obviously a waiting list, but people do get seen and helped. If you do get an appointment, it may be for some time in the future. Please try to summon up the courage to attend your appointment when you finally get one. Unfortunately, many people chicken out at the last moment. This kind of behaviour is not helpful to you - and is unfair to other people on the waiting list. The treatment is free, but you will need to be referred by your GP.
Genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinicsGUM clinics are very helpful on all sorts of sexual issues - they have good knowledge and lots of common sense, though the doctors are not generally trained in psychosexual issues.
The NHSIf a sex problem is essentially physical (eg a too wide v****a after childbirth or a bent p***s) then the NHS should be able to help. Female physical problems are generally referred to a gynaecologist and male ones to a urologist. This treatment is free and your GP should be able to advise you.
RelateRelate is not just a relationship counselling agency. A number of Relate counsellors do have specific psychosexual training. So, if you do opt for this route, make sure that you advise your local office of your requirements. Relate's fees are relatively modest and are means-based. Web:
http://www.relate.org.uk or get your local branch number from directory enquiries.
The Institute of Psychosexual Medicine (private organisation)
This is an organisation of doctors. Some will see a patient without a GP's referral, but not all will do this. Check out their website:
http://www.ipm.org.uk. They also have an email address, ipm@telinco.co.uk which is good for enquiries. Phone number: 0207 580 0631.
The British Association for Sexual and Relationship Therapy (private organisation)
The British Association for Sexual and Relationship Therapy consists mostly of non-medical personnel, all of whom have had extensive training. The best way to find out about a therapist in your area is to email info@basrt.org.uk. Website:
http://www.basrt.org.uk/. ~
Taken from:
http://www.swedish.org/18090.cfmSex Therapy: Is It for You?
by Elaine Gottlieb
These days, many couples find it hard to fit sex into their busy schedules. And it's perfectly normal for people to go through periods when they're just not in the mood for love making.
But if you chronically lack desire for sex for emotional or physical reasons you may want to consider sex therapy. Seeking treatment for sex problems has become more socially acceptable today, but it's still not easy for many people to talk to a professional about such an intimate concern.
"There are probably a lot of people out there who could use therapy but don't come because they're embarrassed. They may go through years of needless pain or dissatisfaction," says Alexandra Myles, M.S.W., a sex therapist at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, and in private practice.
Deciding Whether Sex Therapy Is for YouBefore you decide to see a sex therapist, take the time to explore whether it is really what you need. Myles and other therapists recommend that you:
See a doctor, particularly if your problem is physical in nature. A gynecologist or urologist can detect difficulties due to illness, aging, or metabolic and hormonal imbalances. Prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, alcohol, and smoking can all affect sexual functioning, according to Judy Seifer, Ph.D., a certified sex therapist and clinical professor at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.
Learn more about sexuality. In spite of the greater openness about sexuality today, many people have little understanding of their own bodies and sexual functioning. Informational and self-help books and educational sex videos, which are widely available, can be very helpful (see Resources section). Becoming better informed will help you decide whether you really need therapy; some people, in fact, are able to solve their own problems through self-help guides.
What Happens in Sex Therapy?Many people come to sex therapy after individual psychotherapy fails to help them with their sexual problems. Masters and Johnson, the pioneers of sex therapy, discovered back in the 1950s that talking alone wasn't enough to resolve sexual issues.
"The obvious thing is that you're dealing with the human body so you can't just talk about how you feel; you've got to work on the physical level as well," says Myles. Sex therapy generally address the emotional issues underlying sexual problems and employs behavioral techniques to deal with the physical symptoms.
These behavioral techniques involve physical exercises that clients do on their own outside of the therapy setting. "Nothing should happen in the therapist's office of a sexual or physical nature," Myles emphasizes. (Sex therapists should not be confused with sexual surrogates, who do engage in sexual relations with clients. They are only licensed in certain states and are becoming less popular due to AIDS.)
One popular technique used in treating many sexual problems is called sensate focus, in which couples caress or massage each other without sexual contact. The goal is to help both partners learn to give and receive pleasure and feel safe together. As the partners become more comfortable, they can progress to genital stimulation.
As a result of performing this exercise, many couples discover new ways to experience pleasure other than sexual intercourse. "Some of my patients find that they become better lovers," says Dennis Sugrue, Ph.D., a sex therapist at the Henry Ford Behavioral Services Program in West Bloomfield, Michigan.
Other exercises treat specific problems such as women's inability to have orgasms and men's erectile problems. Common complaints like these can usually be resolved in two months to a year of treatment, therapists report.
Performing these exercises often evokes strong feelings that are then explored through psychotherapy. People who have experienced sexual trauma or are confused about their sexual identity may need to spend more time working through their feelings. For couples, who make up the majority of clients, the focus is on improving communication and developing greater intimacy.
Finding a TherapistWhen looking for a sex therapist, it's critical to find a practitioner with the proper credentials to deal with this sensitive subject area. A sex therapist should be an experienced psychotherapist (licensed social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist, or psychiatric nurse) with training in sex therapy from a reputable program, such as those offered by teaching hospitals or institutes.
These programs include instruction in sexual and reproductive anatomy and treatment methods. Other topics covered include sexual abuse, gender-related issues, and sociocultural factors in sexual values and behavior.
Sex therapists can become certified through the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). Certified therapists must meet rigorous requirements and adhere to a strict code of ethics.
You can obtain referrals for sex therapists from AASECT and other professional organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers and the American Psychological Association. (See Organizations listing below for contact information.) or ask your primary care physician, gynecologist, urologist, or therapist.
The Right TherapistIn looking for a sex therapist, it's particularly important to find someone whom you trust, respect, and with whom you share compatible values. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the therapist's background, philosophical orientation, and client-related experience with your problem.
A sex therapist can be very influential, says Gina Ogden, a certified sex therapist in Cambridge, Massachusetts and author of Women Who Love Sex, because "there are fewer people who you can talk with about your sexual issues." She warns against therapists who have rigid ideas of what human sexual response should be. Myles agrees: "Sex is such a subjective experience. You can't impose your own beliefs on a patient."
If you see a therapist who says or does anything suggestive, or that involves nudity, terminate the relationship immediately. "Sex therapy is strictly talk therapy. There should be no 'show and tell'," asserts Seifer, a former president of AASECT.
Most sex therapists today, according to Dennis Sugrue, "look at the whole person and try to help men and women redefine what it means to make love." The effects of aging or physical problems "don't mean that a couple can't experience the pleasure and joy of being physically intimate with each other."
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More information will be added later on!
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