Sex therapy addresses psychological or physical sexual concerns through individual or couple's counseling. It can help with issues like low desire, arousal difficulties, orgasm problems, infertility, pain during sex, and trauma. Sex therapy is talk therapy that involves discussing a client's sexual history in a confidential, non-judgmental way and providing education, exercises, and referrals to help clients improve communication and intimacy. The goal is to determine the causes of sexual issues and help clients learn to overcome problems.

1. Curious About Sex Therapy?
Jessica McCleese, PsyD
www.drmccleese.com
2014

2. Like the name implies, sex therapy
is a specific type of counseling that
addresses a person’s psychological
or physical sexual concerns.

3. It may occur in an individual setting

4. Or a couple may choose to attend together

5. Sex therapists can help with:
Desire Problems
Arousal Problems
Orgasm Difficulties
Infertility Issues
Pain During Intercourse
Recovery from Trauma
…and more

6. Problems of desire:
Do you feel a lack
of sexual desire?
Is there a
discrepancy
between how often
you desire sex and
how often your
partner does?

7. Some of the things that can impact desire are -
Recently giving
birth.
Past trauma.
Negative
relationship
patterns.

8. There can be many reasons for problems
with sexual desire.
Sex therapy can help you to determine
why you are having difficulties and can
help you learn to overcome them.

9. Sex therapists can help with:
Arousal Problems
Did you know…

10. Will
Refill
Will
Not
Refill
Only ½ of Viagra
prescriptions get refilled.

11. Many men find that drugs such as
Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra are
ineffective or bring about unwanted
side effects with little change in
erectile functioning.

12. Sex therapy can help you learn
techniques and interventions
that are helpful for healthy
erectile functioning.

13. Orgasm Difficulties
Research shows that many women
have difficulty reaching orgasm. Sex
therapy can teach you techniques
that will make climax more likely.

14. Infertility Issues
Have you
been trying
to get
pregnant
with no
success?
Sex therapy can help you
figure out possible reasons
why and help you enjoy
your sexual relationship
while you try.

15. Pain During Intercourse
Do you experience pain during
intercourse, or pain so intense
that penetration is difficult or
impossible?

16. Sex therapy can help you with pain reduction
techniques. There is also help for relationship
distress that your pain has caused.

17. Approximately
Sexual Trauma
1 out of 6
Americans
both male and female
have been raped.

18. Research suggests that around
60% of rapes go unreported, so
the actual numbers for both
men and women are probably
much higher.

19. Sex therapy can help you
(individually or with a partner)
work through the sexual
trauma and regain your sexual
confidence.

20. What to Expect
in Sex Therapy

21. Expect to complete
some paperwork:
Like any counseling appointment, you
will need to complete initial
paperwork that lays out the structure
of the therapy relationship (such as
fees and confidentiality).

22. Speaking of
confidentiality…
In your therapy
session, everything
you say remains
between you and your
therapist.

23. Expect that your insurance may
not be accepted for sex therapy.
You may still be able to receive
reimbursement working with an
“out of network” provider.
Ask your insurance provider about
this option.

24. Many therapists who practice sex therapy,
do not take insurance
because they are free to work with you
how they see fit
instead of having managed
care regulate their services.

25. On that note –
Sex therapy is
regulated by a
set of ethical
standards. There
is no touching
involved.
Sex therapy is talk therapy.

26. Expect to have a sex history taken.
Your experiences with sexuality
(education, beliefs, morals, behaviors
and more) play an important role in
your sexuality and are key to helping
you reach your goals.

27. Your therapist knows
that this is private
information.
A counselor trained in sex therapy
will understand that the subject of
sex can be difficult to talk about.

28. A sex therapist is
Respectful,
and
Non-Judgmental.

29. Expect to receive a
referral for a medical
check-up.
Many sexual issues are
related to physiological
functioning. Since this is
true, you will likely be
referred to a medical
specialist.

30. Expect to receive some
sexual education
Many people who present for sex
therapy have little understanding of the
male and female bodies. Expect to
receive some education through
handouts or books.

31. Expect to learn new communication
patterns around sexual topics.
Couples who struggle with their
sexual relationship often times have
difficulty even talking about their
sexual desires or needs.

32. Sex therapy will teach you how to
appropriately communicate your
wants and needs to your partner.

33. Expect homework:
Throughout many of your
sessions, you will have some form
of homework (worksheets,
communication exercises, intimacy
exercises) to complete outside of
the session.

34. If you have specific questions regarding sex
therapy, feel free to contact me through the
“Contact” section of my website or by email.
drmccleese@hushmail.com
www.drmccleese.com