Therapists are used for all kinds of reasons: emotional distraught to physical sexual issues.
Therapy is about getting the information you need from the experience in order to help you live the life you want to live. Whether that means having a conversation with a non-biased person, or being coached on the tell-tale signs your body exudes, a sex therapist or a sex surrogate are potential options to achieve your goal. While both professions work to help someone through the after-math of sexual assault or another sex related issue, there are important differences that need to be taken into consideration before choosing who you’re going to turn to.
What Are The Different Types of Sex Therapy?
Sex therapy can be broken down into traditional sex therapists and sex surrogates. Both deal with people who have sexual problems, but surrogates approach the problems in a physical way, while therapists work on a more psychological level. While it’s common for therapy to be paired with sex surrogates when a client chooses to hire a surrogate, sex surrogates are less often paired with therapy when a client chooses to hire a therapist. It’s important to note, except for in Nevada, sex surrogates risk prison time for their work because in 49 states any kind of paid sex work is considered illegal.
What Does It Take To Be A Sex Therapist?
There are a few steps that have to be taken in order to practice sex therapy. To be a practitioner, the person must hold a membership with the AASECT and follow the codes set by the society. The applicant must also have either a clinical degree or psychotherapy training. In order to practice sex therapy, you have to be open to understanding the vulnerable human psyche and have previous experience in a field similar to sex therapy, specifically. There are certifications and licenses that must be obtained. All of these steps are necessary to make sure that the client is getting reliable, real, established help.
Why Do People Go to Sex Therapists?
The goal in therapy is to evaluate the psychological side of sex and all it entails. Sex therapists are counselors who explore how your mental state is affecting your sex life, and they’re not only for people with pre-existing issues. If you have a great sex life, the goal would be to enhance and cultivate rather than to change and modify. People who have dealt with abuse, are in a sexually satisfying relationship, or simply wants to understand their body and how it works a bit better go see sex therapists. The key, many experts say, is to find one who is certified and who you’re comfortable with.
What Is The Controversy Around Sex Therapy?
It’s not uncommon to mistake sex therapists and sex surrogates for the same thing. Like stated previously, with therapists, there is no taking off of any clothes, while with surrogates there may be. In some cases, clients have claimed this form of therapy has worked when nothing else has, that they came out of the session with new knowledge about themselves, and new perspectives on their identity. However, while many find it to be helpful, others think that the potential surrogacy aspect of sex therapy is a means to take advantage of people who are in a sexually disadvantageous situation, such as that of an abuse survivor. Sex therapy is a strictly conversational, more traditional form of therapy. It’s a means to be more comfortable with one’s sexuality.
What’s Some Reading You Can do Before You Take the Plunge?
I love talking about sex, but I’m not a professional. However, Emily Nagoski is a professional and her blog is a good place to learn about the psychological aspects of sex. Her book is packed full of self-love, sex knowledge, and research studies. It’ll help you take a dip in the sex therapy pool in your hesitant on taking the plunge. If you do decide to leap into the water, research sex therapists before hand. With all the information in the world, you’re sure to find a person who best fits you.
COVER IMAGE COURTESY OF SHUTTERSTOCK.
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