SEX THERAPY

There are criteria that distinguish sexual disorder from sexual problems. In order for the condition to be considered as a sexual disorder, the client must have had a relationship with a regular partner for at least 6 months and the situation experienced during this period must be chronic. The sexual therapist must be a psychologist or psychiatrist with at least a bachelor's degree and must have gotten an education on sexual problems.

There are a few things that I think are useful for clients who is seeing a therapist for sexual disorders to know. First, they are taken to therapy as a couple. Because sexual disorders are not the individual's problem, they are the couple's problem. Second, recording the sessions is useful in protecting both the client and the therapist. This prevents possible harassment claims. Third, there is client-counselor confidentiality. As long as the person is not harming themselves or others, what happens in the session room stays in the session room. Fourth, like all therapies, this therapy is based on an agreement: The counselor's job is to correctly identify the basis of the disorder and determine the appropriate steps for treatment; the client's job is to comply with the rules set by the therapist, complete the assignments correctly and be as open as possible so that the source of the problem can be correctly identified.

A sex therapist can only accept a client if the problem is not organic, that is, if the client has previously seen a doctor but no physical problems have been detected. Because unless the organic causes are resolved, it is not possible to resolve the psychological part. In addition, the cause of sexual problems may not always be due to issues related to sexuality, such as performance anxiety. Problems in communication between couples, major life events, childhood traumas, stress, myths, and seemingly unrelated situations can also manifest as sexual disorders.

In our country, where sexuality is a taboo subject and information about sexuality is learned from porn or neighborhood elders, it can be difficult to access healthy information. Lack of knowledge on this subject can reduce the pleasure that both parties in a relationship get from sexuality, and even turn it into a painful process. Let's not forget that sexuality does not only remain behind closed doors, and also those problems here can affect the relationship. And finally, sexuality is a reciprocal action. A healthy mindset, healthy communication means a healthy and enjoyable sexual life.