Couples and Sex Therapy

You are probably one of the millions of people that have difficulties in their relationship with their partner.

Do you feel like your relationship is pretty good overall but needs some improvement in communication or learning to “fight”? There might be serious issues that affect your daily living and possibly can bring an end to the relationship.  This can be very distressing to you, your partner, and your family. 

Here are some things that can be improved on and explored in counseling:

  • Communication

  • “Being on the same page”

  • Rebuilding trust

  • Working through a trauma 

  • Infidelity

  • Porn issues

  • Open relationships, vanilla vs kink, poly

  • LGBTQIA+ specific issues such as coming out, sex, dating, family

  • Problems with erection

  • Desire discrepancy (mismatched libido)

  • Performance anxiety

  • Anxiety connected to sex from past trauma, pain, expectations from self or other

  • Ejaculating before you want

  • Pain with intercourse

  • Orgasms

  • Intrusive thoughts during sex

  • Sexual orientation

  • Feelings of fear or shame associated with sex

  • Body image

  • fetishes

Can any counselor be a sex therapist?

It is unethical for a counselor or therapist to practice in areas they are not competent.  Even those that are competent may not be the right one for you.  

  • State licensed as a counselor, clinical social worker, or psychologist

  • Extensive training in sexual health and sexual problems

  • Participate in 2-3 sessions to decide if you are a good fit  

What to look for in a sex therapist?

What does couples counseling and sex therapy look like?

Typically it is best to address problems associated with the relationship with both/all members.

Even if the difficulty appears to be affecting one more than the other it is often preferred to work with both.  There may be reasons to work individually such as client is single, partner cannot or does not want to participate, you feel more comfortable working one on one.  People are often surprised how much having an unbiased third party can help to understand each other. The counselor will attempt to make you comfortable throughout the process. 

A history will be taken at the first session. 

This is to gather past and present information that may be affecting the current issue.  The following sessions may be with all parties or individually. 

Sex therapy is NOT doing anything sexual with the sex therapist present.  There is also no physical contact with the sex therapist. The issues will be discussed in session along with beliefs about sex and intimacy. The counselor will make suggestions and teach you information. Homework may be assigned.  This varies depending on the problem being addressed.  You may be assigned a book or article to read, couples check ins, sensate steps, dates, practice techniques learned, just to name a few. 

It is advised that you speak with your physician to rule out any physical problems.

If there are physical problems, sex therapy or couples therapy may help with the psychological side. That may be improving the relationship, communication, reducing anxiety associated with the physical problem and more.

It is time to learn how to improve your relationship.

Call or text 419.277.4355 today to get more information and start the intake process.

Feel free to email at karen@SavingGraceTC.com