Sex therapy is a type of counseling for individuals or couples to help address difficulties in a couple’s intimate life. This can include difficulty with sex itself or other intimacy or pain problems. Client(s) can attend sessions together or bring their partner or spouse. Sessions can be short-term or long-term depending on the nature of the problem. One of the goals of sex therapy is to create as much comfort and safety as possible. In the early sessions, the focus will be on identifying the problem, the client(s) health and sexual background, the history of the relationship, beliefs and attitudes about sex, etc. There are no physical exams by the therapist or physical contact of any kind with the therapist. Clients are encouraged to speak up about any discomforts they may experience. There may be homework or exercises assigned that are intended for clients to work on at home for the purposes of accelerating improvements for the individual or couple. Some examples of homework might include communication activities, exercises designed to increase safety and comfort, or adjustments to decrease pain during sex.

Some reasons to pursue sex therapy might for delayed ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, low or no interest in sex, premature ejaculation, gender identity questions or concerns, difficulty with orgasm, pain during sex, sex addiction, difficulty with arousal, an unconsummated marriage/relationship, and impact in sexual functioning due changes in the body resulting from pregnancy, surgery, medications, injury, or menopause.