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San Diego Therapist Specialties:
Sex Issues Therapy and Treatment
Short list of possible concerns:
- Diminished Sexual Performance – erectile dysfunction, inhibited arousal.
- Diminished Sexual Interest or Pleasure – loss of libido and sex drive.
Hallmarks of sexual distress include a loss of playfulness, inhibition, or feelings of disconnectedness in a committed, meaningful relationship. These are often the result of being triggered in the present by negative emotional experiences that occurred some time ago in one's psycho-sexual development. As IQ is to intelligence, SQ is to sexual development – many clients seeking help have a low SQ and benefit from therapy the same way a student benefits from advancing their education. In other words, anyone can boost their sexual intelligence and the quality of their love life.
Weekly therapy sessions allow the person with a sexual disorder to explore the origin of the problem, whether it is from faulty learning, sexual abuse, emotional traumas, medical complications, or functional brain impairments. EMDR and other trauma therapies can be very helpful in reversing core negative beliefs and associated distressing emotions. Many clients experience significant guilt and shame as a result of a sexual issue, which can destroy their relationship and increase the likelihood of further complications of anxiety, depression, substance use, or other forms of self-medication. As these problems are cleared in the course of therapy, it becomes easier to create a renewed, positive belief system that results in greater fulfillment and interpersonal connection. Marriage counseling or Couples Therapy is also useful in fully implementing the gains made during individual work, as the end result is to enjoy this vital and life-giving aspect of our intimate and playful nature.
Increasing comfort, confidence, playfulness, and intimacy are the goals of effective sex therapy. The following treatments are considered effective for sexual disorders: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Thought Field Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Trauma Therapies such as EMDR, Brainspotting and Advanced Integrative Therapy have also been reported helpful, though they are new enough that there is little research for this application. Their use can be considered experimental for application in sexual areas (though they have been proven effective for overcoming sexual trauma causing PTSD). Self-help books are often also recommended as an adjunct to the primary therapy.
Additional Sexually-Related Concerns:
- Reduced physical intimacy due to childhood sexual abuse or neglect.
- Medical complications, such as drug or alcohol addiction, side effects from prescription drugs, or physical problems such as prostate, hysterectomy, post-partum, mastectomy, plastic surgery, vasectomy, cardiac surgery.
- Diminished frequency, diminished initiation, or inhibited sexual interaction due to a sexually transmitted disease or a medical condition or surgery.
- Flashbacks which could be part of PTSD.
It is possible to move from sexual boredom, anxieties or “stuckness” to the ability to entertain and nurture each other in ways that give more enjoyable and empowering sexuality for both lovers. We hope you will take that first step today, so our specialists can help you progress toward these life-enriching goals.
Back to Psychotherapy Specialties for San Diego
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