Sex Therapy and Sexual Health for men
It can feel difficult to talk about sex.
It's easy to feel confusion, shame, or regret when discussing sexual problems.... and of course it can feel that way - there's often so much emotional baggage hanging on sex: "I should be having more"; or, "I should be having less"; "I want to have it, but there's this problem." Some poeple feel like they shouldn't be having sex at all.
In therapy, we recognize that talking about sex isn't always easy, and we offer you a time and place to discuss what's happening in a safe, informed, and respectful space. Some difficulties might include:
• Dissatisfaction with the sexual frequency or pleasure in your life and relationships
• Difficulties connecting sexually with the person or people you're attracted to
• Dissatisfaction with your ability to maintain or achieve an erection, or ejaculating sooner than you'd like
• Struggling to talk with your partner about what you find arousing
• Having difficulties sustaining the sexual chemistry in your relationship
We start with an assessment to understand the difficulty.
By conducting an interview and often using standardized measures (i.e., "tests" or questionnaires), we review your unique clinical picture and discuss what treatment may look like. Although we will have recommendations, we will work with you to create a sexual health plan based on your vision of sexual health. Clients in a romantic/sexual relationship may want to bring their partner or spouse to a session to help integrate sexual health into the relationship.
Sex therapy provides a safe, informed and respectful space to talk about a subject that frequently evokes fear, shame, and negative judgments. Here are some common concerns with which sex therapy can help:
• Addressing psychological issues interfering with sexual functioning
• Improving sexual communication and asserting your needs
• Integrating unconventional sexual desires into an intimate relationship
• Improving overall sexual satisfaction and pleasure
• Improving sexual satisfaction and pleasure when you are living with a sexual disorder
Out of control sexual behavior (aka, "sex addiction" or compulsion).
Some men start to feel like they're not in control of their sexual behavior (including pornography use) with feelings of being out of control, compulsive, or addicted. Consequences can include significant relationship problems or divorce/separation, financial struggles, STIs/HIV, pregnancy, drug or alcohol use/relapse, impact on your work or creativity, or overwhelming fear/shame/despair or guilt. We can discuss if sex starts to feel out of your control, how you'd like sex to look in your life, and how to move in that direction so you can feel some relief.
What if drugs or alcohol are involved? What about crystal meth?
Drugs or alcohol, especially crystal meth, can be part of a person's sexual difficulties. Many substances - especially meth - can feel like an indispensable but troublesom part of a person's sexual life. "Unlinking" sex from meth use can be the hardest part of getting sober and staying that way.
If you've been experiencing any of the above...
We would welcome hearing from you. See the contact form below.