Sex therapy

Q: What is sex therapy and what are its main goals?

Sex therapy is a specialized therapeutic approach that addresses issues related to sexuality and intimacy. It aims to improve the individual's overall well-being by addressing the psychological and emotional aspects of sexual difficulties, strengthening communication within the couple, and helping patients regain a fulfilling intimate life.

Q: What types of disorders can be treated by sex therapy?

Sex therapy can treat various disorders, including low libido, erection problems, pain during intercourse, vaginismus, anorgasmia, and communication difficulties within the couple. It is intended for anyone experiencing sexual symptoms or who has suffered sexual trauma.

Q: How can sex therapy improve a person's overall well-being?

Sex therapy can significantly improve overall well-being by boosting self-confidence, reducing stress and anxiety, improving communication within the couple, and even having a positive impact on professional life. It contributes to a holistic approach to well-being in which sexual health is recognized as an integral part of the individual's overall balance.

Q: What is the difference between sex therapy and couples therapy?

Unlike couples therapy, which addresses general relationship issues, sex therapy focuses specifically on issues related to intimate and sexual life. It aims to restore sexual contact within the couple by addressing the psychological, emotional, and physical aspects of sexuality.

Q: How does a sex therapy session take place?

A sex therapy session takes place in a confidential and safe setting. The sex therapist uses various techniques such as clinical interviews, cognitive-behavioral approaches, and sex analysis to explore the person's history in its entirety. There is no physical examination or intimate contact during the sessions. The goal is to allow the patient to speak freely about their sexual difficulties in order to find appropriate solutions.

An intimate support to reconcile desire and trust.

Sex therapy, principles and benefits for well-being, represents a crucial area of health, as confirmed by statistics: 79% of patients who have consulted in sex therapy report an improvement in their health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sexual health is a determining factor in individuals’ overall well-being, both mentally and physically.

At Hello Soins, we understand the importance of this discipline founded in 1960 by gynecologist William Masters and psychologist Virginia Johnson after studies conducted on more than 100 couples. That is why our premium platform makes it easy to book sex therapy appointments as well as other alternative medicine services such as sophrology or naturopathy. Indeed, issues related to sexual health can affect professional life, leading to stress, reduced concentration, and lower work performance.

Contrary to popular belief, sex therapy is not couples therapy but a branch of sexology aimed at restoring sexual contact within a couple. In this article, we explore the fundamental principles of this therapeutic approach and its many benefits for your overall well-being.

The foundations of sex therapy

The practice of sex therapy is based on a specialized therapeutic approach that addresses human sexuality in all its dimensions. This branch of sexology focuses specifically on issues related to intimate life, whether physical, emotional, or psychological in origin.

Contrary to popular belief, sex therapy does not directly treat sexual dysfunctions, but rather the psychological disorders that are at their root. Indeed, according to the World Health Organization, sexual health is an important factor in well-being, both mentally and physically.

Sex therapy is part of a so-called bio-psycho-social model, taking into account biological characteristics, individuals’ psychological specificities, and the social environmental context in which difficulties arise. Thus, the sex therapist creates a safe space where people can openly discuss their concerns without fear of judgment.

Furthermore, this therapeutic approach pursues several essential objectives:

Empowering the patient to take control of their sexuality
Providing precise anatomical and physiological information
Facilitating conflict resolution
Rehabilitating communication and touch as therapeutic supports

In addition, clinical sexologists are non-medical sexology professionals who focus in particular on emotions, beliefs, behaviors, and communication within intimate relationships. Their tools include clinical interviews, cognitive-behavioral techniques, projective tests, and sex analysis.

At Hello Soins, we make it easy to book sex therapy appointments by connecting our patients with the best practitioners. Our premium platform makes it possible to quickly secure the best available time slots and offers personalized follow-up via our integrated chat, thereby fostering a quality therapeutic relationship.

Ultimately, this therapy is intended for anyone suffering from a symptom or sexual disorder, who has experienced sexual trauma, or who is simply seeking answers in this field. The sex therapy process explores the person’s history as a whole in order to allow the disorder to disappear and restore intimate well-being.

Which disorders can be treated?

Sex therapy addresses a variety of sexual disorders, affecting both the physiological and psychological aspects of intimacy. Statistics reveal that these issues are far more common than one might imagine.

A decrease in sexual desire or libido is the main reason couples seek consultation. This difficulty particularly affects women, with 24 to 43% of them affected, making it the leading cause of consultation. This disorder is multifactorial, involving personal, relational, sexual, and physiological aspects.

Erection problems, or erectile dysfunction, increase with age and can be influenced by several factors: depression, relationship problems, poor self-image, or medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or excess cholesterol. Talking with a sex therapist can help unlock these complex situations.

In addition, pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia) affects around 7.5% of women, while painful sexuality is said to affect nearly 1 in 4 women. These pains, although real, can sometimes have a psychological origin linked to anxiety, trauma, or relationship tension.

Vaginismus, characterized by involuntary contraction of the vaginal muscles, affects around 1% of women of childbearing age. Anorgasmia (absence or difficulty reaching orgasm) is also among the disorders frequently treated.

At Hello Soins, we facilitate contact with qualified sex therapists through our premium appointment-booking platform. Our service makes it possible to quickly obtain optimal time slots and offers personalized follow-up thanks to our integrated chat with practitioners. Indeed, 4 out of 5 women are freed from the symptoms of vaginismus after a few therapy sessions, confirming the effectiveness of appropriate support.

Sex therapy also addresses communication problems within the couple, often at the root of sexual difficulties, by offering a safe space to express needs and desires without fear of judgment.

Concrete benefits for overall well-being

The concrete results of sex therapy on well-being go far beyond the intimate sphere. A study reveals that 79% of people who have consulted a sex therapist report a significant improvement in their overall health. This impressive figure demonstrates the effectiveness of this therapeutic approach.

The first notable benefit concerns self-esteem and body image. After a few sessions, patients often describe a feeling of release and renewal, as if a weight had been lifted from their shoulders. This new confidence translates into a better ability to handle daily challenges and make decisions.

Moreover, sex therapy significantly improves communication within the couple. It provides tools to better express needs, desires, and boundaries, thereby fostering mutual understanding and greater respect. This process strengthens the connection and closeness between partners, making the relationship deeper and more fulfilling.

Surprisingly, the positive effects also extend to professional life. By addressing intimate issues with a sex therapist, one can not only improve personal well-being but also regain optimal productivity and professional engagement.

Sex therapy also acts as a powerful stress reliever. Fulfilling sexual activity reduces the production of stress hormones and, consequently, lowers blood pressure, respiratory rate, and the vasoconstriction of blood vessels. According to some studies, these benefits last beyond a few days.