Sex Therapy in Texas
Are You Experiencing Sexual Health Issues?
Performance Anxiety: Fear of not satisfying their partner or not being able to perform sexually.
Lack of Sexual Desire: Feeling disconnected from their sexuality or struggling with low libido.
Intimacy Avoidance: Fear of getting close, emotionally or physically, due to past trauma or anxiety.
Sexual Shame or Guilt: Feeling ashamed of their sexual desires, past actions, or identity.
Erectile Dysfunction or Arousal Issues: Struggling with physical responses that affect confidence and intimacy.
·Mismatched Sex Drives: Frustration and conflict due to differing levels of sexual desire between partners.
Pain During Sex: Physical discomfort or pain during intercourse, leading to avoidance and distress.
Body Image Issues: Feeling unattractive or insecure about their body during intimate moments.
Trust Issues After Infidelity: Struggling to rebuild trust and intimacy after betrayal or cheating.
Lack of Sexual Satisfaction: Feeling unfulfilled or disconnected during sex, leading to resentment.
Communication Barriers: Difficulty expressing sexual needs, desires, or boundaries to a partner.
Past Sexual Trauma: Ongoing emotional pain and anxiety related to previous abuse or assault.
Feeling Unloved or Unattractive: Doubting their partner’s attraction or affection.
Fear of Rejection: Worrying that their sexual advances will be turned down or criticized.
Loss of Passion in Long-Term Relationships: Missing the excitement and spark of early relationship stages.
·Sexual Identity Confusion: Struggling with accepting or understanding their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Compulsive Sexual Behavior: Feeling out of control with sexual impulses, often accompanied by shame or secrecy.
Sexual Boredom: Feeling stuck in a routine and longing for variety or excitement.
Pressure to Perform or Conform: Feeling pressured by societal, cultural, or partner expectations around sex.
Guilt Over Unconventional Desires: Worrying that their fantasies or kinks are abnormal or unacceptable.
What Is Sex Therapy?
Sex therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy that focuses on helping individuals and couples address sexual and intimacy-related concerns. It involves a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore and work through challenges related to their sexual health, behavior, and relationships. Sex therapists are trained to address both psychological and physiological aspects of sexual functioning, often collaborating with other healthcare providers when necessary.
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; sexual orientation; gender identity.
Sexual Dysfunction:
Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection.
Premature Ejaculation: Reaching orgasm sooner than desired.
Delayed Ejaculation: Difficulty reaching orgasm even with adequate stimulation.
Low Libido: Decreased interest in sexual activity, which can affect individuals or couples.
Orgasmic Disorders: Difficulty achieving orgasm or lack of orgasm.
Desire Discrepancy:
Differences in sexual desire between partners, often leading to conflict or frustration.
Anxiety Related to Sex:
Performance anxiety, fear of intimacy, body image issues, and anxiety stemming from past negative sexual experiences.
Sexual Trauma and Abuse Recovery:
Healing from past sexual trauma, abuse, or assault, which can impact current sexual functioning and intimacy.
Intimacy and Connection Issues:
Difficulty with emotional closeness, communication, and maintaining intimacy in relationships.
What Are Issues Commonly Addressed In Sex Therapy?
Painful Sex (Dyspareunia or Vaginismus):
Physical pain during intercourse due to conditions like vaginismus (involuntary muscle contractions) or other pelvic floor disorders.
Sexual Orientation and Identity Exploration:
Questions around sexual orientation, gender identity, or acceptance of one's sexual identity.
Compulsive Sexual Behavior:
Problematic sexual behaviors that feel out of control, often referred to as "sex addiction."
Paraphilias and Unconventional Sexual Interests:
Addressing distressing or problematic sexual interests or fantasies that may affect one's personal or relational life.
Sexual Communication and Education:
Improving communication skills around sexual needs, boundaries, and preferences.
Infidelity and Trust Issues:
Rebuilding trust and intimacy after affairs or betrayal.
Sex After Life Changes:
Navigating sexual changes due to aging, illness, menopause, childbirth, or major life events.
Body Image and Self-Esteem Issues:
Working on body acceptance and feeling comfortable in one's own skin during intimacy.
The P-LI-SS-IT Model in Sex Therapy Can Help:
As a sex therapist, I use the P-LI-SS-IT model to help clients. In using the P-LI-SS-IT* model for therapy, I provide these 4 steps (P-LI-SS-IT).
Permission (P): The practitioner creates a climate of comfort and permission for clients to discuss sexual concerns, often introducing the topic of sexuality, thereby validating sexuality as a legitimate health issue.
Limited Information (LI): The practitioner addresses specific sexual concerns and attempts to correct myths and misinformation.
Specific suggestions (SS): The practitioner compiles a sexual history or profile of the client:
Defining the issues and concerns of the client.
Determining the course of how the issues have evolved over time.
Facilitating the client's understanding of the main issues and providing options for resolution.
Assisting the client in formulating perceptions and ideas about sources of these concerns and developing realistic and appropriate goals and solution plans.
Intensive Therapy (IT): The practitioner provides specialized treatment in cases that are complicated by the coexistence of other complex life issues which may also include psychiatric diagnoses such as depression, anxiety disorders (including obsessive-compulsive disorder), personality disorders, or substance abuse, or by interpersonal or intrapersonal conflict.
(*Annon, JS (1976) Behavioral Treatment of Sexual Problems: Brief Therapy.)
I Help Clients In:
Improves Sexual Functioning:
Sex therapy helps clients overcome issues like erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, low libido, painful intercourse, or orgasm difficulties by exploring both psychological and physical factors.
Reduces Anxiety and Shame Around Sex:
Many clients struggle with performance anxiety, shame, or guilt about their sexual desires or past experiences. Sex therapy provides a supportive environment to work through these feelings, fostering a more positive and accepting view of their sexuality.
Heals Past Sexual Trauma:
For those who have experienced sexual abuse or trauma, sex therapy can be instrumental in healing, helping clients reclaim their bodies and establish healthy sexual relationships.
Enhances Communication Skills:
Therapy teaches clients how to communicate their sexual needs, desires, and boundaries effectively, improving intimacy and satisfaction in their relationships.
Addresses Mismatched Sexual Desire:
Sex therapy helps couples navigate differences in libido, finding ways to meet both partners' needs without resentment or pressure.
Resolves Emotional and Relational Issues:
Intimacy and sexual challenges often stem from or contribute to broader emotional or relational issues. Therapy can help identify and address these underlying problems, fostering a healthier overall relationship dynamic.
Explores Sexual Identity and Orientation:
Therapy provides a space for clients to explore and understand their sexual orientation, gender identity, or unconventional desires without fear of judgment.
Provides Education and Guidance:
Many sexual issues stem from a lack of knowledge or misinformation. Sex therapists educate clients on sexual health, anatomy, and techniques to enhance sexual pleasure and intimacy.
Reignites Passion and Desire:
For couples experiencing a loss of passion, therapy offers strategies to reignite sexual desire, such as introducing new activities, improving emotional intimacy, or breaking out of routine patterns.
Develops Healthy Sexual Habits:
Therapy can assist clients in developing sustainable habits that promote a fulfilling sexual life, such as managing stress, prioritizing intimacy, and maintaining open communication.
Overall Benefits of Sex Therapy:
Enhanced Self-Confidence: Clients often leave therapy feeling more confident in their sexual abilities and self-worth.
Improved Relationships: Better communication and intimacy can lead to stronger, more fulfilling partnerships.
Reduced Anxiety and Stress: Understanding and addressing sexual issues reduces overall stress and anxiety.
Greater Sexual Satisfaction: Clients often experience more satisfying and pleasurable sexual experiences after therapy.
At Solutions Behavior Health Services, Inc. I offer online therapy throughout the state of Texas and particularly in Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and surrounding areas.
Online Counseling Throughout All of Texas.
Questions before getting started? Get in touch.