The simple answer- yes. Yes, sex therapy is right for you. It's right for you because it is right for just about everybody.
We live in a hypersexualized time with media and movies, pornography and politics telling us what sexy is and what is expected of us to be sexy. Which is one good reason why sex therapy is right for you.
But on a more personal level, you might have never been asked about your sexuality. And most likely, no one has listened to your sexual history and sexual story in a way that draws enlightenment and insight as well as empowerment and clarity. This is another reason why sex therapy is right for you.
Our sexual selves begin developing in the womb and carry us through to the grave. Hormones influence the body both physically on the outside and internally where it's not so easy to see. From puberty to menopause, sickness and health, relationships or solitude. Our lives are often centered around our sexuality.
How we grow up understanding sex and sexuality sets a narrative for our lives that can often come into better focus when talking openly with an un-biased and non-judgemental clinician. Our life experiences that involve the body, mind, and spirit influence our sexual health in diverse and complex ways.
Exploring issues that relate to your sexual health and sexuality can often shed light on a missing piece in your wellness puzzle. Especially if sex is stuck in a negative or emotionally painful pattern in your relationship.
Relationships sexual issues can often feel heavy with confusion, hurt feelings, and misunderstandings. Because the intimate talk of relationship sexual issues is so personal to the couple, it is that much more difficult to get help.
It might feel awkward to talk to an outsider about intimacy in your relationship. But not talking might perpetuate a negative cycle that could have some alternative perspectives to consider. A certified sex therapist is a safe and educated clinical professional that has the advanced understanding and education in sexuality to provide you the best platform to better sexual health.
So now that we settled that inquiry. Yes, sex therapy is right for you. Let's learn about what you can expect from a sex therapist. The link provided here will take you to a blog that is well written and easy to follow about sex therapy. I encourage you to read through it.
The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) is the leading certifying body of sex therapists nationally. The AASECT website states that:
"Sex Therapists work with sexual concerns, including, but not limited to: sexual function and dysfunction; sexual pleasure; sexual variation; sexuality and disability; sexuality and chronic illness; sexual development across the lifespan; sexual abuse, assault, and coercion; and sexuality across cultures, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues. In addition, where appropriate, are prepared to provide comprehensive and intensive psychotherapy over an extended period of time in more complex cases."
To become an AASECT certified sex therapist one must hold a Master's degree or higher in a clinical speciality that includes psychotherapy training, complete 90 hours of advanced education in human sexuality and 30 hours in sex therapy psychotherapeutic professional skills, engage in clinical supervisory training with a certified sex therapist supervisor, and complete over 300 hours of direct sex therapy work with diverse populations and presenting issues.
Sex therapists are clinical social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, and doctors of psychology.
If you'd like to know more about sex therapy, you can go to:
And contact an AASECT certified therapist in your area for more information. If you have an individual or couple's therapist that you are already working with, you can talk to them about sex and sexuality as well. Having an open conversation about your body, beliefs, attitudes, and experiences with sex are important in overall psychological wellness.
Angela Jensen-Ramirez, LCSW, CST is an Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist and Certified Sex Therapist in private practice in Austin, Texas and California.
For more information or to work with Angela, email: angelaj@anewtherapy.org.