FAQs
What is Couples Therapy About?
Couples therapy is a specific approach based on scientific principles. The couple and the relationship is the focus. Therapists are trained to help the couple resolve their conflicts, strengthen their relationships, and address issues such as breaches of trust, anger, sexual difficulties, and communications problems. Therapists don’t take sides, they are there to help you become the partner you aspire to be.
How Do I Choose a Good Couples Therapist?
Ask questions! How long have he or she been working with couples? What kind of training does he or she have? Have they worked with a couple like you before? What kind of approach do they take to couples therapy? Are they a member of any professional organizations for couples therapists?
What Can I Expect in Sex Therapy?
Helping people with sexual problems and dysfunctions is based on understanding how biological, psychological, and sociocultural aspects of a person or couple contribute to the problem. A trained therapist can assess these factors and develop an individualized treatment plan. Treatment includes psychological, behavioral, and sometimes medical interventions. Sex therapy never involves sexual behavior in the therapist’s office – this is unethical. Clients are often given homework assignments. Couples therapy is recommended for those in a relationship since many sexual problems are part of larger issues for the couple.
How Do I Choose a Good Sex Therapist?
Working with sexual dysfunctions or problems is a specialty area. Many Masters and PhD level therapists have received basic training about sexual dysfunctions. However, there are few actual in depth training programs in the United States and few certificate programs. As with choosing a couples therapist, ask lots of questions. What kind of training did he or she receive? How many clients have they worked with sexual problems or dysfunctions. What kind of advanced training have they received? If they are the only person in your area with any training, can they get professional supervision while treating you?
Resources
- The Couples Institute, Couples Blog:
http://www.couplesinstitute.com/couples-blog/
Ellyn Bader and Peter Pearson have created a community for couples with helpful blogs from couples professionals.
- How to Get the Most From Couples Therapy:
http://www.couplesinstitute.com/how-to-get-the-most-from-couples-therapy-tx/
Your guide to knowing what is expected of you in couples therapy written by the couples therapy expert, Peter Pearson.
- An Overview of Sex Therapy:
http://psychcentral.com/lib/an-overview-of-sex-therapy/
Some good basic information about the field of sex therapy.
