Should You See a Sex Therapist? [Quiz]

Much like anything revolving around seeing a therapist for mental health, the idea of scheduling an appointment with a sex therapist paralyzes almost anyone. Beyond popular belief, seeing a sex therapist doesn’t mean there’s an issue with your sex life. It’s all about sexual wellness. So, should you?

What’s Sex Therapy?

Sex therapy is a form of psychotherapy to help people understand the roadblocks preventing them from having a fulfilling sex life. Most often, couples are the ones visiting sex therapists to work through a persistent issue – aka low libido.

However, an individual can seek help from a sex therapist if they don’t feel their sex life is fulfilling. People with past trauma, performance anxiety, or struggles with their sexual identity can find help with a sex therapist.

Other Signs You Should See a Sex Therapist

Beyond the questions from the quiz above, when you’re considering your options for a sex therapist, there’s a lot that comes into play. Watch out for these things that you might want to discuss with a sex therapist, especially if you:

• Experience pain or difficulties when having sex.
• You’re processing sexual trauma.
• You and your partner are on different pages, sexually-speaking.
• Have questions about sexual or gender identity.
• Want to overcome sexual shame.
• Struggle with some form of sexual dysfunction.

What to Expect from Seeing a Sexual Therapist?

Funnily enough, sex therapy is much like regular therapy. No sex is involved; it’s a lot about discussing how you feel about your sexual life and discovering the potential aspects affecting it. In most cases, the questions coming from the sexual therapist will be not related to sex, as in many cases, outside factors are the ones interfering with your sexual wellness.

There aren’t any medical exams in a sex therapy session. However, if your therapist believes a physical issue might be the root cause of your sexual problems, they might recommend some medical testing to rule out any health issues.

Much like a talk-based therapy, there will be some homework involved. Usually, your therapist will ask you to perform some inter-session tasks to make sure you’re making progress. Homework assignments might include exercises that involve self-touch, discussing your needs with your partner, looking at negative thought patterns, and more.

How Can I Find a Good Sex Therapist?

If you believe you need to talk to a sex therapist, then you can start looking for one in the marketplace. Find someone who has the right background and education to match your needs.

Note that sex therapists are not the same as sex coaches, who don’t have to be licensed therapists. Make sure that you find one you feel comfortable with, there’s no holding back in these sessions, and you need to feel comfortable enough to talk about everything.

Sex is supposed to be a source of joy and excitement in our lives. If your sexual life is less than satisfying or giving you anxiety, it might be time to consult with a sex therapist.