If you are having concerns or worries about your sexual function, desire or lack of, discomfort, or pain, Psycho-Sexual Therapy (P.S.T) could be for you.
Psychosexual therapy is a type of counselling for anyone in an intimate relationship, either as an individual or with another or others. If you are experiencing distress with any aspect of your sex life, sex therapy, a talking therapy, combines exploration of relationships with self and others, alongside a more behaviourist, directed, focussed work. It is worth mentioning that, of course, there will be no “actual” intimate activity within the therapeutic relationship. That remains between yourself, and your partner(s).
Using a model of assessment wherein biological, social, and psychological factors are considered simultaneously we can identify the source of your difficulty, and find the best way to support you – as an individual, or as part of any intimate relationship.
For example, are you are on medication, or having physical health problems which may be effect your sexual engagement. Perhaps sex has never been talked about in your family, leaving you with confusion, guilt, or shame about your desire. How do you feel about your body, and self-image? All these things, and many more can influence how we respond to sexual stimulation, which effects the typical sexual response cycle.
Acknowledging sexual difficulty even to ourselves can be difficult, let alone discussing it with partners, family, or friends. Counselling for sex, and sexuality (psychosexual therapy, or P.S.T) can provide an open, and inclusive opportunity for you to start to understand yourself, and your sex life.
Examples of presenting issues could be premature ejaculation, open relationships, painful penetration, kink, gender, and orientation, loss of erection, lack of desire, lots of desire, imbalance of desire, communication, trauma, fetish, sexual script, unable to orgasm, performance anxiety etc.
What can I expect?
• An open, and welcoming environment, working at a pace that feels right for you.
• Straight forward language, no-jargon or “medical terminology” for things.
• Assessment period - history taking so that all relevant information has been gathered.
• An opportunity for you to explore what is often a stigmatised, unspoken topic.
• Improved sexual relationships, with self and others.