What are the most Frequently asked questions for sex therapy?
Many people look up “sex therapy” and want to know how it differs from regular “talk psychotherapy”.
Sex therapy is a specialized type of talk therapy that helps individuals and couples address concerns about intimacy, sexual desire, arousal, performance, and overall sexual health. While regular therapy focuses on general mental health, relationships, or life stressors, a sex therapist has advanced training in the unique challenges that impact sexual wellbeing.
Importantly, sex therapy sessions are always talk-based—there is no physical contact or sexual activity in session. Instead, your therapist provides a safe, confidential space to explore your concerns, reduce shame, and learn new skills. Together, you’ll use education, communication strategies, and guided exercises outside of session to create real, lasting change. The difference is focus: regular therapy may touch on sex as part of a broader picture, but sex therapy is designed specifically to help you build confidence, intimacy, and a more satisfying sex life.
What should I expect in sex therapy?
Sex therapy is a talk-based, confidential process where you and your therapist work together to address challenges with intimacy, desire, arousal, or sexual health. In your first session, we’ll review your history, discuss your goals, and create a clear plan for therapy. Each session provides a safe, judgment-free space to talk openly about what’s on your mind.
Unlike medical appointments, sex therapy does not involve physical exams or sexual activity. Instead, sessions focus on education, communication strategies, and evidence-based techniques. You may also be given exercises or practices to try between sessions to help you apply what you learn.
The goal of sex therapy is not just to talk about your concerns, but to help you feel more confident, connected, and empowered in your intimate life.
Research suggests that sex therapy and related psychological interventions can be quite effective—especially when they use evidence-based approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and psychoeducation. For example:
A review of controlled trials found that psychosocial interventions overall improved sexual functioning in men (e.g. erectile or performance concerns) more than control groups. [PubMed]
Cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based counseling have shown effectiveness in reducing dysfunctional sexual beliefs and improving sexual quality of life. [PMC]
Mindfulness-based interventions have been feasible and effective for reducing sexual distress and improving desire/arousal in both women and men. [PMC+1]
A systematic review of psychological sexual health interventions in older adults also found that educational and CBT-style approaches show promise in promoting sexual health outcomes. [PMC]
Another meta-analysis of studies targeting both sexual satisfaction and marital satisfaction found that therapy can boost both when aimed at relational/psychological dimensions. [PMC]
That said, it’s important to keep in mind:
The amount of improvement often depends on factors like how well the therapy matches the specific issue (e.g. pain, arousal, distress), client readiness, and consistency in doing therapeutic “homework.”
Some studies have methodological limitations (small sample sizes, lack of long-term follow-up, risk of bias) — so while the evidence is encouraging, it’s not uniformly strong in all domains. [PMC+1]
Effect sizes vary; not everyone responds in the same way, but many clients report meaningful gains in satisfaction, intimacy, and sexual functioning.
In sum: yes, sex therapy works in many cases, especially when tailored to your goals, guided by evidence-based strategies, and with a committed therapeutic alliance. Its strength is often in addressing both psychological and relational factors, not just symptoms.
Can I go to Sex Therapy without a partner?
Yes, absolutely. While many couples attend sex therapy together, you do not need a partner to begin. Many clients start therapy on their own to explore personal concerns such as low desire, performance anxiety, painful sex, or difficulty with intimacy. Individual work can help you build confidence, understand your own patterns, and learn new strategies that naturally improve your relationships.
Often, when one partner begins therapy and experiences growth, the other becomes more open to participating. Whether you come alone or eventually as a couple, sex therapy can help you take meaningful steps toward a healthier, more satisfying sex life.
What kinds of sexual problems or concerns does sex therapy address?
Sex therapy can help with a wide range of sexual and intimacy challenges for both individuals and couples. Common reasons people seek sex therapy include:
Low or mismatched desire – when one partner wants sex more or less than the other
Arousal or erection difficulties – including performance anxiety or trouble maintaining arousal
Orgasm concerns – difficulty reaching orgasm, delayed orgasm, or anorgasmia
Pain during sex – such as vaginismus, dyspareunia, or discomfort with penetration
Sexual shame, guilt, or anxiety – often connected to upbringing, trauma, or cultural beliefs
Communication challenges – difficulty expressing needs, wants, or fantasies
Rebuilding intimacy – after infidelity, childbirth, medical issues, or long-term disconnection
Exploring identity and orientation – understanding yourself, your desires, or your preferences
Sex therapy is not limited to “fixing problems”—it’s also about enhancing pleasure, confidence, and connection. Whether you’re facing a specific concern or simply want to deepen intimacy, therapy provides tools and strategies to help you create a more fulfilling sex life.
If I have a medical condition that impact my sexual functioning or sexual desire and arousal, should I see a medical doctor first or a sex therapist?
This is a very complicated question! Medical professionals are not taught about sexual pleasure, sexual arousal or sexual desire. It’s not even required for most medical students to take more than one sexual education class in all of their years in medical school. As a medically informed sex therapist, I think it’s imperative that I work in tandem with my patient’s medical providers to ensure well-rounded sex therapy and sexual health support.
You shouldn’t need to see a sex therapist as a last ditch effort to deal with what medical doctors can’t or have not addressed. If all professionals work together, it may be a bit tiring as far as treatment is concerned, but is likely to be most effective.
