Thought Perspectives is a private practice that provides counseling and psychotherapy for a wide range of people who are experiencing emotional problems including relationship and mental health difficulties.

Sex Therapy

Sex therapy is the treatment of sexual problems within an individual, a couple or both. It utilizes various theories, techniques and talk therapy to eliminate sexual dysfunction and strives to improve the sexual health and functioning of a person and/or couple. Sex therapy for couples works best when both members of the couple show up to the sessions to work through their problems together. Progress can still be achieved with only one person from the couple attending. People that are not currently involved in a relationship can also benefit from sex counseling by learning how to prepare for a future relationship.

Benefits of Sex Therapy

Sex therapy is extremely effective in helping individuals and couples to resolve sexual difficulties and is known to have many other benefits as well. People that have undergone sex counseling have reported decreased anxiety and enhanced sexual satisfaction with their partner as well as overall improvement in communication. Many people experience increased self-confidence and emotional stability. Couples learn to become more expressive and assertive with each other. Anxiety and doubt are replaced with satisfying sexual intimacy.

What Sex Therapy Entails:

1) Evaluation of Problem(s)
The evaluation phase involves gathering information from the couple concerning current attitudes towards sex, religious influences, first sexual experiences, childhood views on sexuality, and family history. The next step involves the client(s) giving a detailed description of the current sexual problems and the development of a treatment plan.

2) Medical History & Physical Exam
Sexual difficulties are not always psychological in nature which is why it is important to rule out any medical or physical conditions before therapy is started. It is also important to know what types of medications or substances a person is using before commencing sex therapy. A few things that can cause or exacerbate sexual problems include chronic alcoholism, diabetes, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications.
Clients may be referred to a physician if they do not have a physician of their own. It is important to feel comfortable speaking with a physician about such personal issues. It also helps to see a medical specialist who is trained to do these types of assessments.

3) Exploration of Relationship & Communication:
Once medical issues are ruled out, the relationship between the couple itself will be the next area of focus. Lack of communication and and/or unexpressed emotion is often at the root of sexual problems Sexual behavior is only one way that partners communicate with each other. Many couples feel uncomfortable discussing sexual matters. The therapy office is a safe environment in which these discussions can take place with a trained therapist. Couples will learn how to improve communication in order to build trust and learn to be more assertive about their specific needs. Sometimes fixing relationship or communication problems will solve the sexual problems before techniques in sex therapy are even discussed. The emotional relationship itself can sometimes be the cause of the sexual problems.

4) Sexual Techniques &Exercises
Once relationship factors are dealt with or ruled out, the physical aspects of the sexual relationship will be looked at. This is where specialized techniques will be taught to the couple in order to overcome their problems. There are many techniques and creative ideas that can be utilized for a multitude of different sexual problems.

Sexual Disorders

Listed below are some of the sexual disorders that females and males can experience. The causes of the disorders can be psychological, biological or a combination of both. If you feel your problems are psychological in nature, then it would benefit you to seek sex therapy. If you feel your problems are biological in nature, then it would benefit you to seek a trusted physician. Some cases may be a combination of both psychological and biological issues in which case assistance from a sex therapist and a physician would be optimal.

Sexual Disorders in Females

Hypoactive Sexual Desire (HSD): characterized by a lack of desire for sexual activity. While this disorder is prevalent in men and women it is much more common in women. Some people that suffer from HSD are still able to become aroused and experience orgasm. However, they still show no desire for sexual activity. HSD is only seen as a problem if it causes problems within the relationship or with the individual experiencing it. This is one of the most commonly treated sexual dysfunctions. Some causes of HSD are known to be history of abuse and difficulties in the current relationship.

Female Sexual Arousal Disorder: persistent inability of a woman to attain or maintain vaginal lubrication/vaginal swelling. Arousal and lubrication can be diminished by psychological factors such as feelings of anger, fear, or apathy. Low estrogen level is just one of several biological factors. Lubrication can also be decreased during breast feeding and during the period following menopause.

Female Orgasmic Disorder: prolonged delay of orgasm or inability to achieve orgasm following normal sexual arousal on a persistent or recurrent basis. Some women are able to engage in sexual activity and obtain satisfaction without achieving orgasm whereas other women may be highly disturbed by the inability to achieve orgasm. Women are not diagnosed with Female Orgasmic Disorder if the inability to orgasm does not cause personal distress within the relationship or with the individual experiencing it.

Female Orgasmic Disorder is diagnosed in two types of women. The first type of woman has never experienced orgasm in her life by any means of stimulation. The second type of woman has experienced orgasm in her past but cannot achieve orgasm currently. Causes of Female Orgasmic Disorder can include medications (antidepressants, anti-anxiety meds), sexual or physical abuse, emotional trauma, inadequate sexual stimulation, and certain types of surgeries and medical conditions.

Dyspareunia in Women: experiencing pain during intercourse. Dyspareunia is prevalent in men and women but is more common among women. It is important for women to specify where the exact location of the pain is occurring because painful intercourse can stem from several different causes. Pain in the opening of the vaginal opening or inside of the vaginal walls can be caused by inadequate lubrication, yeast infections, bacterial infections, as well as many other conditions. Pain that emanates from deep inside of the pelvis can be caused by endometriosis or jarring of the ovaries during intercourse. This can be especially problematic during the time of ovulation. Psychological factors can also contribute to painful intercourse. Feelings of fear or anxiety associated with sex may cause painful intercourse.

Vaginismus: strong involuntary contractions of the muscles of the outer portion of the vagina. The contractions can be severe enough to make intercourse extremely painful or even impossible. A woman with Vaginismus can learn to control the contractions even though they are involuntarily and unconsciously produced. Vaginismus can be caused by several factors including chronic painful intercourse, past physical or sexual assault, confusion over sexual orientation and fear or hostility toward a partner.

Sexual Disorders in Males

Erectile Dysfunction (ED): persistent inability to attain or maintain an erection. Occasionally men are unable to attain or maintain an erection due to alcohol or drug use, fatigue, or stress. This is not considered ED. ED is persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for intercourse for a period of at least 6 months or longer. ED is not considered a problem unless it disrupts the relationship or the life of the individual experiencing ED. Although age itself does not cause ED, the incidence of ED increases with age. Cardiovascular problems, Diabetes, and high blood pressure can be some of the age-related causes. ED can also be caused by psychological factors such as performance anxiety, poor communication with a partner, and relationship problems.
Premature Ejaculation: ejaculating so soon that it impairs the enjoyment of the sexual experience for the man, his partner, or both. A man can ejaculate quickly and still not be diagnosed with Premature Ejaculation if it does not interfere with the sexual gratification of himself or his partner. Premature Ejaculation is perhaps the most prevalent sexual disorder in males. In most cases, Premature Ejaculation is caused by psychological factors or anxiety. Anxiety can increase muscle tension which in turn can cause Premature Ejaculation. Performance anxiety or fears of not pleasing one's partner are two of the major causes. Sex therapy is highly effective in treating Premature Ejaculation.

Male Orgasmic Disorder: prolonged delay of orgasm or inability to orgasm following normal sexual arousal. Some men with Male Orgasmic Disorder are not able to orgasm during intercourse but may orgasm from the manual or oral stimulation of a partner. Some males with Male Orgasmic Disorder are able to orgasm during intercourse but only after a prolonged period of time. Others can only orgasm from masturbation. Male Orgasmic Disorder is only diagnosed if it causes marked personal distress in the person or couple experiencing it.
While Male Orgasmic Disorder can stem from organic causes (related to a condition in the body), most cases appear to be psychological in origin. Some of the psychological causes can include feelings of depression, stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Resentment, hostility, or general dissatisfaction with the sexual partner may also be a cause. Finally, past experiences of sexual abuse or traumatic sexual encounters can also cause Male Orgasmic Disorder.