A sex therapist is a licensed mental health professional who helps individuals and couples overcome sexual problems through talk therapy. They are qualified counsellors, doctors, or healthcare professionals who have done extra training in helping people with problems relating to sex. Sex therapists can be psychiatrists, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, or clinical social workers. They are specially trained in sex therapy methods beyond the minimal amount of training in human sexuality that is required for most mental health professionals.
During a sex therapy session, the therapist will listen to the client describe their problems and assess whether the cause is likely to be psychological, physical, or a combination of the two. The therapist will then tailor the treatment to the individual or couple before them. Talking about and exploring experiences will help the client get a better understanding of what is happening and the reasons behind it. The therapist may also give exercises and tasks to do with a partner in their own time. Sessions usually last for 30 to 50 minutes, and the therapist may advise the client to have weekly sessions or to see them less frequently, such as once a month.
It is important to note that sex therapy does not involve sexual contact between clients and therapists. As with any psychotherapy, sex therapy involves talking through issues, and the client and sex therapist discuss any experiences, emotions, and concerns that may contribute to the client’s sexual dissatisfaction and challenges. Sex therapists are not one-size-fits-all, and compatibility is important for successful treatment.
