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Sex Therapy FAQs:What is sex therapy?Sex therapy is a multidisciplinary field that combines the science of medicine and the artistry of psychotherapy to help people address their sexual health concerns. Sexual problems usually involve pain and/or difficulties with desire, arousal, or orgasm. In women this typically includes issues like anorgasmia, vaginismus, vulvodynia, painful intercourse, low desire, sexual aversion and sexual addictions. Male sexual issues include erectile difficulties, premature ejaculation, inhibited ejaculation, and desire or problems with sexual compulsivity.Who can be a sex therapist?Sex therapy is not regulated the way medicine, psychology, and social work are. Most states do not provide separate licensure for sex therapists which means that just about anyone can call themselves a sex therapist. The American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (www.AASECT.org) is the professional association that has been credentialing sex therapists for the past 25 years. An AASECT certified sex therapist must have a terminal degree, be licensed in their primary field of study and meet a rigorous litany of other training criteria. Because of the diversity of training and experience among people who refer to themselves as sex therapists, it is important to ask questions of anyone you choose to consult for this service.What are the advantages of consulting with a clinical psychologist trained as a sex therapist?A Clinical psychologist must have a Ph.D. in order to be licensed to practice independently. Clinical psychologists from APA approved training programs are schooled in both the art or doing psychotherapy and the science behind it. Psychologists generally believe that it is important to have empirically derived and well researched treatments for the clinical services they provide. There are many theoretical paradigms that guide therapists, and many of these perspectives are helpful, but is there solid science behind the practice?Why is membership in the National Register of Health Services Providers in Psychology important when choosing a clinical psychologist?The National Register of Health Services Providers in Psychology (www.nationalregister.org) is the credentialing body with the most stringent criteria for education, internship, and experience available to psychologists. Membership in the National Register assures consumers that the psychologist has met the highest possible standards of training. |
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