What is psychosexual therapy?
Psychosexual therapy is an approach that combines talking therapy with behavioural exercises to effectively treat a range of sexual problems.
Who is PST for?
PST is for anyone who is having a problem with sex. It can be for individuals or couples, but if the problem only arises in sex with your partner, you should come as a couple.
What sexual problems can be effectively addressed
with PST?
• difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection
• early or delayed ejaculation
• dyspareunia (painful sex)
• vaginismus (tightening vaginal muscles that impede penetration)
• loss of sexual desire
• difficulty achieving orgasm
I work with many other sexual issues, such as porn addiction, chemsex, unsafe sex, kink and BDSM. In these cases, I use mainly psychotherapy, integrating elements of psychosexual therapy as needed.
What happens in the sessions?
We talk. If you are unfamiliar with any aspects of sex, for example sexual anatomy, I may explain those. Mostly we talk about what sex is like for you and how we can improve that. I give you exercises to do at home between sessions and you give me feedback on how they have gone.
What happens at home?
Most sexual problems have anxiety at their root. The exercises you do at home are designed to rebuild your sexuality without the anxiety. We go back to basics so that you can learn to relax and enjoy your body and your partner’s without the pressure. The exercises are progressive so that gradually you work towards being able to have enjoyable sex. I ask you to do the exercises three times a week and they can take up to an hour.
How does PST work with people who are uncomfortable talking about sex?
I help them to become more comfortable talking about it. If you can talk with your partner about sex that’s half the battle won, so a key part of PST is learning to communicate your needs, wants, anxieties, etc. I make that easier for you by talking about sex in a very straightforward way, without shame or embarrassment. I won’t push you to discuss anything you don’t want to discuss, but I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how quickly you become more comfortable with it.
How long does it take?
That’s a difficult question to answer because there are many factors involved. These include:
• whether you do your exercises three times a week
• whether you and your partner support each other through the process
• how easy you and your partner find it to communicate about sex
• how long the problem has been in place and whether it happens every time you have sex
• whether you or your partner has experienced sexual trauma.
Sometimes it takes a couple of months, sometimes longer. We take it at your pace and I will support you for as long as it takes.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me or book an initial consultation to find out more.