They should also be aware of how stereotypes affect their clients. This is especially true for LGBT-identified clients.Older adults may also need more education about their sexuality and sexual functioning. Curriculum for this includes communication, masturbation, body image, and spirituality. It also teaches about talking to a doctor about sexual activity. It is optimal that sex education for older adults includes information about sexually transmitted infections (STDs/STIs), such as HIV/AIDS. History
Sex therapy has existed in different cultures throughout time, including ancient India, China, Greece, and Rome. It has taken the form of manuals, spells, anaphrodisiacs or aphrodisiacs, and tantric yoga, among others. Much of sex therapy and sexual dysfunction in Western cultures was limited to scientific discussion, especially throughout the 19th century and into the early 20th century.Sexologists such as Henry Havelock Ellis and Alfred Kinsey began conducting research in the area of human sexuality during the first half of the 20th century. This work was groundbreaking and controversial in the scientific arena.In the 1950s, sex therapy was concerned with "controlling sexual expression" and repressing what was then-considered deviant behaviors, such as homosexuality or having sex too often. Masters and Johnson are credited with revolutionizing sex therapy in the mid-century and included couple therapy and behavioral interventions that focused on being present in the moment such as sensate focus exercises. Dr. Helen Singer Kaplan modified some of Masters and Johnsons ideas to better suit her outpatient practice, including introducing medication. Both integrated cognitive behavioral therapy into their practice and Kaplan used psychodynamic therapy as well.
Sex therapy is a strategy for the improvement of sexual function and treatment of sexual dysfunction. This includes sexual dysfunctions such as premature ejaculation or delayed ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, lack of sexual interest or arousal, and painful sex (vaginismus and dyspareunia), as well as dealing with problems imposed by atypical sexual interests (paraphilias), gender dysphoria and being transgender, highly overactive libido or hypersexuality, a lack of sexual confidence, recovering from sexual abuse such as rape or sexual assault, and sexual issues related to aging, illness, or disability. Practice
Modern sex therapy often integrates psychotherapeutic techniques and medical ones, such as Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) to increase erectile response and Paxil (paroxetine) to treat premature ejaculation. Sex therapists assist those experiencing problems in overcoming them, in doing so possibly regaining an active sex life. The transformative approach to sex therapy aims to understand the psychological, biological, pharmacological, relational, and contextual aspects of sexual problems.Sex therapy requires rigorous evaluation that includes a medical and psychological examination. The reason is that sexual dysfunction may have a somatic base or a psychogenic basis. A clear example is erectile dysfunction (sometimes still called "impotence"), whose causes may include circulatory problems and performance anxiety. Sex therapy is frequently short term, with duration depending on the causes for therapy.Sex therapy can be provided by licensed psychologists or physicians, who have undergone training and become certified. These trainings and certifications usually begin with a masters degree, and internship, and a license.