What is SEX THERAPY?
Have you felt ashamed or guilty because of your sexuality, your desires, your preferences? Do you feel alone or isolated because of your identity? Have you experienced traumatic life events, such as sexual or emotional abuse?
You are not alone.
We at Sex Therapy Perth believe that everyone deserves a safe space to talk about their sexuality – including you. Our practice exists to empower people in what they are dealing regarding sex, gender, and sexuality through Sex Therapy.
Sex therapy is a specialised form of counselling that focuses on addressing issues related to sexual functioning, identity, attraction, and trauma. Sex therapists are trained to help you:
What can Sex Therapy help treat? Sex Therapy is designed to help with issues relating to sex, gender, and sexuality. We tend to use these terms interchangeably in casual conversation, but each of these capture different areas of the human experience.
You are not alone.
We at Sex Therapy Perth believe that everyone deserves a safe space to talk about their sexuality – including you. Our practice exists to empower people in what they are dealing regarding sex, gender, and sexuality through Sex Therapy.
Sex therapy is a specialised form of counselling that focuses on addressing issues related to sexual functioning, identity, attraction, and trauma. Sex therapists are trained to help you:
- Explore your identity
- Identify underlying issues
- Effectively cope with stress
- Manage sexual addictions
- Understand and appreciate your unique sexuality
- Become curious and self-reflective
- Discover solutions to sexual difficulties
- Process and work through trauma
What can Sex Therapy help treat? Sex Therapy is designed to help with issues relating to sex, gender, and sexuality. We tend to use these terms interchangeably in casual conversation, but each of these capture different areas of the human experience.
Gender, sex, and sexuality are frequently connected in certain ways, and each exist on a spectrum (1). Each of us is born with unique genetic and physiological structures, and complex feelings of attraction. We are left to figure out how those “fit in” with social norms and expectations, sometimes on our own.
Sex refers the physiological characteristics we are born with. Many people assume that sex is categorised into two groups; “male” and “female.” However, research shows that sex is on a continuum, instead of binary, with factors such as genetics, sexual anatomy and hormones sometimes varying dramatically from person to person (2).
People who have difficulties identifying with their sex may pursue medical treatment to align their sex and gender through sex transition (3, 4). Sex Therapy is designed to help people navigate the unique challenges of sex transition, such as:
Gender refers to identity through the lens of culture and society. It can come with societal implications, such as power, cultural roles, and assumptions we make about one another. Traditionally, society has put sex and gender together, grouping people into the two groups, male or female. Putting people into groups based on physicality was valuable in an evolutionary perspective but may not as helpful today. Many people do not feel that their gender identity matches their sex, e.g. being born with ‘female’ anatomy while feel mentally ‘male’ or ‘masculine.’ Some identify as “gender fluid,” where their feelings about their gender may shift over time and in different situations.
Issues related to gender often involve the identity of self, dealing with society’s assumptions and expectations, and how we exist and operate in society (5). Some examples of how Sex Therapy can help include:
Sexuality is about feelings of attraction, arousal, and sexual behaviour. Like sex and gender, sexuality is complex. We all have our own unique preferences and attractions, what we like and what turns us on. These can even change over time. Some people are attracted to one particular gender or type of person, while others are attracted to many or even all. Some desire monogamous sexual relationships, and others prefer to be open or polyamorous.
Issues related to sexuality can include difficulties with sexual abuse, sexual performance, or sexual habits (6). Sex Therapy can address such issues by helping people:
If you or a loved one struggle with issues related to gender, sex, or sexuality, do not wait for things to get better on their own.
Here at Sex Therapy Perth, we know it can be difficult to reach out. Contact us today and learn how we can help.
Sex refers the physiological characteristics we are born with. Many people assume that sex is categorised into two groups; “male” and “female.” However, research shows that sex is on a continuum, instead of binary, with factors such as genetics, sexual anatomy and hormones sometimes varying dramatically from person to person (2).
People who have difficulties identifying with their sex may pursue medical treatment to align their sex and gender through sex transition (3, 4). Sex Therapy is designed to help people navigate the unique challenges of sex transition, such as:
- Emotional support and motivation
- Exploring the role of sex in your life
- Working well with the medical team
- Navigating reactions from loved ones, friends, coworkers, etc.
- Finding normalcy and moving forward with life
Gender refers to identity through the lens of culture and society. It can come with societal implications, such as power, cultural roles, and assumptions we make about one another. Traditionally, society has put sex and gender together, grouping people into the two groups, male or female. Putting people into groups based on physicality was valuable in an evolutionary perspective but may not as helpful today. Many people do not feel that their gender identity matches their sex, e.g. being born with ‘female’ anatomy while feel mentally ‘male’ or ‘masculine.’ Some identify as “gender fluid,” where their feelings about their gender may shift over time and in different situations.
Issues related to gender often involve the identity of self, dealing with society’s assumptions and expectations, and how we exist and operate in society (5). Some examples of how Sex Therapy can help include:
- Exploring and understanding your gender identity
- Improving body image and gender esteem
- Coping with toxic masculinity and femininity
- Navigating abusive or power-imbalanced relationships
- Managing stress caused by rejection and isolation
Sexuality is about feelings of attraction, arousal, and sexual behaviour. Like sex and gender, sexuality is complex. We all have our own unique preferences and attractions, what we like and what turns us on. These can even change over time. Some people are attracted to one particular gender or type of person, while others are attracted to many or even all. Some desire monogamous sexual relationships, and others prefer to be open or polyamorous.
Issues related to sexuality can include difficulties with sexual abuse, sexual performance, or sexual habits (6). Sex Therapy can address such issues by helping people:
- Engage in open, positive conversations about sexuality
- Experience joy in sex and romance
- Manage unhealthy sexual addictions
- Reduce feelings of shame about kinks
- Improve performance in the bedroom
If you or a loved one struggle with issues related to gender, sex, or sexuality, do not wait for things to get better on their own.
Here at Sex Therapy Perth, we know it can be difficult to reach out. Contact us today and learn how we can help.
HOW CAN SEX THERAPY PERTH HELP?
We are here for you. We provide professional, evidence-based Sex Therapy services to our community here in Perth. Our office is conveniently located at Upstairs, Unit 4 / 94 Hay Street, SUBIACO, WA 6008.
Sessions are completely confidential, which means you can speak freely about your experience without fear of judgement or exposure. We even offer an initial consultation session over Skype or telephone to help you get to know us better.
To learn more about our team, visit our About page. If you have questions or concerns, we would love to provide answers. If you know now you would like to book an appointment, then click here to find a time that works for you to visit us.
Click here to contact us or use the Contact tab above - we can’t wait to hear from you!
Sessions are completely confidential, which means you can speak freely about your experience without fear of judgement or exposure. We even offer an initial consultation session over Skype or telephone to help you get to know us better.
To learn more about our team, visit our About page. If you have questions or concerns, we would love to provide answers. If you know now you would like to book an appointment, then click here to find a time that works for you to visit us.
Click here to contact us or use the Contact tab above - we can’t wait to hear from you!
References
1. Oakley, A. (2016). Sex, gender and society. Routledge.
2. Nichols, M. (2014). Therapy with LGBTQ clients: working with sex and gender variance from a queer theory model. Principles and practice of sex therapy, 315À333.
3. Budge, S. L. (2013). Interpersonal psychotherapy with transgender clients. Psychotherapy, 50(3), 356.
4. Siegel, R. (2018). The Integration of Sex Therapy and Sexual Medicine. The Art of Sex Therapy Supervision (pp. 14-19). Routledge.
5. Gilbert, L. A., & Scher, M. (2009). Gender and sex in counseling and psychotherapy. Wipf and Stock Publishers.
6. Brotto, L. A., Chivers, M. L., Millman, R. D., & Albert, A. (2016). Mindfulness-based sex therapy improves genital-subjective arousal concordance in women with sexual desire/arousal difficulties. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 45(8), 1907-1921.
1. Oakley, A. (2016). Sex, gender and society. Routledge.
2. Nichols, M. (2014). Therapy with LGBTQ clients: working with sex and gender variance from a queer theory model. Principles and practice of sex therapy, 315À333.
3. Budge, S. L. (2013). Interpersonal psychotherapy with transgender clients. Psychotherapy, 50(3), 356.
4. Siegel, R. (2018). The Integration of Sex Therapy and Sexual Medicine. The Art of Sex Therapy Supervision (pp. 14-19). Routledge.
5. Gilbert, L. A., & Scher, M. (2009). Gender and sex in counseling and psychotherapy. Wipf and Stock Publishers.
6. Brotto, L. A., Chivers, M. L., Millman, R. D., & Albert, A. (2016). Mindfulness-based sex therapy improves genital-subjective arousal concordance in women with sexual desire/arousal difficulties. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 45(8), 1907-1921.