What is Sex Therapy? (The Pros and Cons)

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Deciding to see a sex therapist can feel stressful - especially if you don’t know if it’s the right choice for you.

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Sex therapy can be a great way to address any sex related concerns you’re experiencing, whether individually or in your relationship.

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It can also feel intimidating to start the sex therapy process.

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As a therapist with experience in relationships, couples therapy, and sex and intimacy concerns, I’m passionate about helping you understand what happens during therapy and meet your therapeutic goals.

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After reading this article, you’ll know what sex therapy is, what happens during sex therapy, and its pros and cons.

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What is Sex Therapy?

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Sex therapy is a type of talk therapy with a general goal of addressing sex related concerns or difficulties with oneself or in partnerships.

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During sex therapy, individuals or couples discuss a variety of sex related issues that vary from client to client.

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Sex therapy can help with issues including:

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• Performance anxiety
• Suppression of sexuality
• Shame surrounding sexuality
• Compulsive sexual behaviour
• Reaching orgasm more quickly than desired
• Inability to orgasm by yourself or with a partner
• Difficulties communicating wants and needs with a partner

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What Happens During Sex Therapy?

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During sex therapy, the ultimate goal is to provide a non-judgemental space for you to resolve sexual difficulties and allow you to achieve your own version of sexual satisfaction as it relates to your therapeutic goals.

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Sex therapy, like many other types of therapy, is person-centered. 

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Generally, you and your therapist will meet and explore your personal goals for therapy, as well as the concerns or motivations that brought you to therapy.

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Sex therapy is not always JUST about sex. Many factors go into the way each individual understands and interacts with their own sexuality.

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During sex therapy, you might discuss:

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• Growing up and puberty
• Previous partnerships
• Current relationships
• Attachment styles
• Personal values
• Trauma

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Your therapist will examine a variety of factors that may be contributing to the issues you’re facing. They’ll work with you to explore approaches, plans and practical skills and tools that will assist in allowing you to work towards your goal. 

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The Pros of Sex Therapy

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Sex therapy is generally a good fit if you’re looking for a space to address sex-related issues.

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Sex therapy is a great choice if you’re looking to explore:

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• Cultural factors
• Interpersonal dynamics of sex
• Your feelings about your body and sexuality
• Psychological contributors to sex-related issues

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Sex therapy can help you explore and address any mental or emotional blocks to having pleasurable relationships and a fulfilling sex life.

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The Cons of Sex Therapy

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Sex therapy can be a great way to address any sex-related concerns, but it might not be the best fit for everyone.

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Sex therapy might not be the right choice for you if:

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• You aren’t comfortable opening up about intimate details of your life
• You’re experiencing a pain-related or medical issue that could be better addressed by a doctor
• You’re experiencing other mental health challenges, such as anxiety or depression, that you’d like to address in depth before exploring sex therapy

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Alternatives to Sex Therapy

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After learning about the pros and cons of sex therapy, you might be interested in learning about alternative options.

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Alternatives to sex therapy include:

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• Individual psychotherapy 
• Couples counselling
• Seeing a doctor

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Deciding if Sex Therapy is Right for You

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Oftentimes, sex is a topic that many people do not speak about based on shame, societal expectation and perhaps even just privacy. 

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Opening up in a non-judgemental space about factors that go into one's sexuality can be incredibly eye opening and affirming that these things are normal. 

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Like with therapy in general, you can benefit from having a space and a person who is on your side to assist in reaching your therapeutic goals and talking through any topic of your choosing. 

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Sex therapy can allow individuals to eliminate any possible shame and guilt that often comes with sex related concerns, while allowing individuals to gain greater self awareness of factors that go into human sexuality and its relationship to self and others. 

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Next Steps for Beginning Sex Therapy

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After reading this article, you know the pros and cons of sex therapy and how to know if sex therapy is the right next step for you.

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If you’re interested in learning more about sex therapy at KMA, fill out our Registration Form and our caring team will get back to you within 24 hours with a personalized response to your questions.

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If you’d prefer to keep reading, check out these articles to learn more:

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• The Top 5 Sex Therapists in Toronto
• What Type of Therapist Should I See?
• The Top 5 Issues Seen in Sex Therapy

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About the author:

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Aneisa is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. She received her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, her undergraduate degree in psychology from Queens University and obtained a Certificate in Addictions from Wilfrid Laurier University and a CSAT Module one training certificate from the Institute of Trauma and Addictions Professionals (IITAP). 

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Aneisa started her career in concurrent mental health and addictions working in counselling and management positions at inpatient rehabs. Aneisa’s therapeutic approach is informed by non judgemental and person centred interest surrounding the “why” of human behaviour.

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Aneisa enjoys exploring early childhood attachments and investing how experiences from childhood dynamics to potential instances of trauma throughout life can affect our relationship with others, our behavioural responses, the roles we find ourselves in and how we interact and understand the world.

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Aneisa is passionate about working with adults with a variety of psychological concerns working alongside them to assist in meeting their therapeutic goals. Aneisa showcases experience as a clinician having worked with a variety of presenting concerns including:

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• Trauma
• Anxiety
• Addictions
• Depression
• Relationships
• Mood Disorders
• Couples therapy
• Sex and intimacy concerns

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and much more.

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Book an appointment with Aneisa to get started on your therapy journey today.