Sex Therapists

Coping with infertility can be a very difficult journey for couples. You and your partner may find that you become emotionally, financially, and physically stressed as you engage in different fertility treatments. And all of this stress can have a negative impact on your sexual relationships, influencing your sexual desire, sexual motivation, and sexual enjoyment.. If you and your partner are experiencing similar problems with your sex life, you may want to talk with a sex therapist. A sex therapist can counsel you and your partner on these issues, and may be able to help guide you through the process of dealing with your infertility.

What is Sex Therapy?
Sex therapy is a type of psychotherapy that is used to help couples deal with various sexual issues. Sex therapists are clinically trained mental health professionals who help couples to find a way to express their feelings about sex. Sex therapists work one-on-one with couples to help pinpoint problem areas, diagnose sexual dysfunctions, and solve sexual difficulties. Introduced more than forty years ago, sex therapy provides a supportive and open environment where couples can freely express their worries and concerns about their sexual issues.

Who Gets Sex Therapy?
Many different types of people seek sex therapy in order to address their various sexual issues. Young or old, male or female, sex therapists can help almost anyone express their concerns about sexual intimacy. People visiting sex therapists often have concerns about:

• sexual desire
• sexual identity
• sexual abuse
• sexual dysfunction
• infertility

How Can A Sex Therapist Help Couples Facing Infertility?
Sex therapists are particularly adept at helping couples that are struggling with infertility. Sex therapists have years of clinical training in all aspects of sexual relationships, including physical sexual dysfunction. Sex therapists are also knowledgeable about various fertility treatments and the physical and emotional effects that they may have on couples dealing with infertility.

A sex therapist can help you and your partner pinpoint and treat the physical problems that may be impeding your sexual fertility. She will also be able to help express your feelings about sexual intimacy as they arise during the process of fertility treatment. In particular, sex therapists can help you to deal with:

• ejaculatory dysfunction
• erectile dysfunction, or impotence
• loss of sexual desire
• loss of sexual intimacy
• emotions surrounding infertility (including guilt, anger, and fear)
• marital discord or relationship difficulties
• the choice of fertility treatments (including IUI or IVF)

What Qualifications does a Sex Therapist Have?
Qualified sex therapists are typically mental health professionals, meaning that they are certified and practicing psychologists or psychiatrists. Sex therapists have chosen to specialize in the field of sexual intimacy and relationships, and therefore have completed extra education and clinical training in these areas. Though sex therapists do not need to be certified in order to practice, most reputable sex therapists will be certified by a particular governing board. In the United States, most qualified sex therapists are certified by the American Association of Sexuality Educators and Therapists (AASECT).

It is important to note that there is a difference between a certified sex therapist and a sex counselor. A sex counselor is not a mental health professional; typically, these practitioners are social workers who operate out of schools, hospitals, or various government programs. Though they do not have the in-depth training that sex therapists have, sex counselors are equipped to deal with minor sexual difficulties and relationship problems.

What Happens During Sex Therapy?
If you and your partner decide to attend sex therapy for your fertility issues, you will likely attend a set number of therapy sessions. Most sex therapists work on a short-term, goal-focused basis.

At your first session, your sex therapist will ask both you and your partner to fill out a short form regarding your physical, mental, and sexual history. You may be required to sign a release form if your sex therapist is working alongside your fertility specialist. During your first session, both you and your partner will be asked to explain why you are attending treatment and what you would like to cover during your sessions. Your sex therapist will likely ask you to discuss your sexual histories and about your struggles with infertility.

Throughout your sessions, you and your sex therapist will continue to work together to identify specific problems in your sexual relationship that you would like to work on,. This may involve improving sexual intimacy, increasing sexual frequency, or working on sexual dysfunctions. Your therapist will assign you and your partner work to do at home that will help to improve these issues. Over time, your sex therapist will help you to set new goals around your sexual relationship.

Finding a Sex Therapist
In order to visit a sex therapist, you will need a referral from your health care provider. Your general practitioner or fertility specialist will be able to refer you to a qualified therapist in your area. If you and your partner are actively seeking fertility treatments, ask your clinic if they have a sex therapist on staff. Many clinics now offer sex therapy to couples that are coping with infertility. If you are having difficulties finding a qualified sex therapist, try contacting your local hospital or sexual health center.

We are unable to provide answers to medically related questions or other medical advice via e-mail. Our physicians look forward to addressing your medical needs in person. To schedule an appointment or for more information about this practice as well as the programs and treatments they offer, please complete the form below. Be sure to include a valid telephone number and e-mail address so that one of our patient services coordinators may contact you directly.

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