What is
Sex Therapy?

Ursula Ofman Psy. D.

What is Sex Therapy?

Sex Therapy is a specific kind of psychotherapy that directly addresses sexual problems. It consists of an evaluation and a treatment phase. During the evaluation, which sometimes takes more than one session, the presenting complaint is carefully analyzed, using the client's description of the behavioral components of the problem, as well as medical and historical data. The evaluation results in a precise diagnosis and detailed treatment plan. The treatment may vary, depending on the diagnosis, however, it usually includes a sequence of behavioral exercises which the individual or couple is directed to do in between sessions. These exercises are designed and sequenced in a way that will enable the individual or couple to reach their sexual goal. After the evaluation phase, the sessions usually focus on reviewing the patient's experiences with these exercises. The assignment usually remains the same for the whole period inbetween sessions, which is usually one week. The specific nature of every assignment depends in part on how the previous one was experienced by the patient, and progress to succeeding levels is determined by the successful completion of previous ones. This ensures that progress is sustainable over time and prevents relapses. Treatment is usually short-term, months rather than years, and is often reimbursed by insurance companies as outpatient psychotherapy.

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Email: uofman@rcn.com