Lunare is for Lovers: Individual and Partnered Sex Therapy
Sex Therapy involves the weaving of a variety of biological, psychological, and social frameworks to create a web of understanding and intervention to assist sexual function, trauma, orientation, and identity. Whether it is done individually or in the context of a relationship, sex therapy can assist in strengthening the mind-body connection and build skills for enhancing intimacy. Sex is a topic that is loaded with meaning and can be difficult to talk about. Emotions such as fear, guilt, shame, joy, love, and curiosity often accompany our sexual experiences and sexual identity. These emotions may get in the way of a successful sexual experience, cause sexual problems, or add to the struggle of being and expressing our authentic sexual selves. A sex therapist is a licensed clinician who has been specially trained to treat sex as a normal part of human functioning and to work compassionately with individuals of all genders, orientations, and issues without bias.
How does Sex Therapy Work?
Sex Therapy has many similar components to a typical therapy session. In the first few sessions, you can expect to get to know your therapist by talking with him/her about all areas of your life. The therapist will guide you in talking about your relationship and sexual history as well as any problems you might have experienced. Sex therapy can be done in individual or couple, or polycule sessions. Some common questions a sex therapist might ask include:
• What are your personal and cultural beliefs about sex?
• How often do you engage in sex?
• What obstacles to sexual enjoyment or pleasure are you experiencing?
• If you are experiencing a sexual problem, how long has the problem been present?
• How often does the problem occur?
• Does it occur when you are by yourself, with a partner, or both?
• What treatment have you tried to resolve the problem already?
• Have you seen a medical professional recently?
• What does the sexual problem mean to you?
• What feelings or emotions are connected with sex?
Personal information is compiled and throughout each session the therapist and client(s) identify uniquely tailored interventions to work on the problem. The identified problem may not always be sexual in nature, but may stem from other common struggles such as miscommunication, anxiety, depression, chronic illness, or relationship stress. The therapist will then offer resources, exercises, etc. for the individual or couple and support the process with lots of problem solving and encouragement. Therapy will include evaluation of the outcome of the interventions as well as monitoring for other issues that may be present with the identified area of work.
Sex Therapy does not ever involve physical instruction or observation of a sex act by the therapist. Any educational materials or homework is completed outside of the session. All persons participating in the session will be clothed and maintain professional boundaries at all times.
What can Sex Therapy help with?
Sex Therapy can help with the treatment for low desire, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, painful sex, vaginal dryness, relationship problems, anxiety about sex, problematic sexual behavior and sex addiction, fertility, sexual trauma, sexual abuse, same-sex relationships, sexual orientation, transgender support, multi-person relationships, dating, fetishes, power-exchange relationships and more. Contact us for more information and to schedule an appointment.