The day’s work is done, there’s romance in the air, and your partner is giving all the right signals. The trouble is your desire, longing, and eagerness are covered up or pushed aside by performance anxiety, fears of bodily pain, feelings of shame, or memories of times you’ve been hurt. You love your partner dearly and find them attractive, but something just gets in the way of a fulfilling sexual relationship with them. The doctors have said there’s nothing medical: no injuries, no illnesses, and no medication side effects. You may have tried medications or substances to push your body in the right direction, but that has left you feeling as though you cannot perform sexually without them and wondering whether they will stop working. All in all, you feel as though sex has become just another source of stress amidst a life with enough stress already.
If any of the above sounds familiar, you likely struggle with a sexual dysfunction. People who are attracted to their partners, who love them, and desire a passionate and intimate sexual relationship with them can experience troubling disruptions in their sex lives that have nothing to do with ability or desire. Reduced sexual interest, difficulty becoming aroused, erectile dysfunction, and vaginal pain during intercourse can interfere with an otherwise fulfilling relationship and bring about feelings of inadequacy and resentment. While physical therapy and medications can address the biological components of sexual dysfunction and reduce genital pain and open up the blood vessels that allow for arousal, they alone do not treat the co-occurring emotional distress or relationship difficulties. Fully addressing sexual dysfunction requires a team-based approach to account for the biological, psychological, and social aspects of the disorders.
Sex therapy involves all members of a sexual partnership, starting with the individual experiencing sexual dysfunction, following up with their current sexual partner or partners, and a feedback session identifying each person’s strengths, vulnerabilities, and goals for the relationship. From there, therapy consists of a combination of identifying and evaluating the disturbing thoughts and judgments and practicing behavioral skills to employ to reduce focus on thoughts and promote connection with one’s sexuality. Through sex therapy, you can find your sexual voice, become an active participant in your sexual relationship, and create sexual experiences that transcend any physical discomforts or limitations.
Text or Call us to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation.
