The Definition of Sex Therapy, NOT according to Grey’s anatomy

By Respark | December 22, 2020

We love Grey’s Anatomy. Like rewatching all the seasons, kind of love. The characters are intriguing and storylines keep us on the edge of our seats and we look forward to Thursdays with anticipation and glee. The writers are typically very progressive, forward-thinking and have also been tackling the issues of race in America for many years already. The show has highlighted several important mental health issues like Anxiety, Depression and suicide, OCD, PTSD, Bipolar disorder and many more.

The writers of the show have also tackled domestic violence and sexual violence through some of the main characters. Jo’s heartwrenching history of her previous husband includes interpersonal personal partner violence, gaslighting and basically how to be a psychopath. They have also even explored Jo’s specific treatment for trauma, EMDR. If you want to learn more about the Grey’s Anatomy EMDR episode check it out here: https://www.self.com/story/greys-anatomy-emdr-elisabeth-finch

The main character, Meredith Grey has been in and out of intensive therapy throughout the entire show, as evidenced through having to be “cleared” by her therapist in order to resume her work as a surgeon. Grey’s Anatomy has worked tirelessly to destigmatize mental health and some media outlets have stated, it’s exactly what we need.

( https://culturess.com/2019/10/29/greys-anatomy-focusing-mental-health-exactly-needed/ )

Another huge story arc through the seasons is the relationship between Merideth and her mother, who has Alzheimer’s. The relationship is strained in more ways than one, and it’s only when Merideth is dying that she gets some closure to whether or not her mother is actually proud of her accomplishments. The relationships portrayed between the characters and their family members are often spot on. Complex family dynamics, affairs and infidelity and conservations about the consequences that follow are written into the character’s histories in sometimes, a beautiful and seamless way.

Grey’s Anatomy also highlights the role your sexual orientation plays in your life and relationships throughout the seasons. Callie, an orthopedic surgeon that identifies as bisexual and Arixona in pediatrics identify as lesbian and they both form a beautiful family with “McSteamy,” when he father’s a child with Callie while they were broken up.

However, in spite of all these positive influences, the show has had on normalizing therapy, in November 2020, Grey’s Anatomy got it all wrong. In this recent episode, one of the patients is a sex therapist, and a scene in the show depicted this character in his daily role at work, watching his patients have sex. Immediately, we rose to twitter to save the name of our field.

In response, we took to Twitter:

“As sex therapists, we absolutely do not have sex with our clients, nor do we watch our clients have sex. Sex therapy is TALK, psychotherapy.”

“We are licensed by the state as mental health providers. In order to be licensed, you need a master’s degree [and plenty of hours in the field under supervision].”

“Becoming a Certified Sex Therapist requires 150+ CEUs, 50 hours of supervision and a SAR (sexual attitude reassessment) in addition to receiving a master’s degree in mental health.”

We hope to make it clear to the world what sex therapy is and isn’t, in hopes that current media will eventually get it right. We are on a mission to ending the stigma and breaking stereotypes around what sex therapy really is. Sex therapy is transformative when you’re in a mental health rut with your sexuality.

Next Steps & Resources:

Ready to take the next step?

What online counseling options do I have?

For the past decade we have excelled at online therapy, tele-therapy and phone counseling. We have seen couples online and conducted Sex Therapy online through video platforms. Everything can be completed online including your intake, first session all the way through graduation! You can even find a Respark Therapist or Coach and book your first session online without having to pick up the phone. Many of our clients love online therapy as there are so many pros! Learn more about our online couples therapy, online individual therapy and online Sex Therapy process here.

What is Respark all about?

We have therapists throughout all of Texas and Colorado. We offer the best couples therapy and sex therapy because our team had 200+ hours of training post graduate. Many of them are already certified or about to become certified sex therapists. We have therapists trained in trauma, EMDR, eating disorders and Health at Every Size informed.

I want to become a sex therapist or sexual health professional, how do I do that?
Check out our podcast with Respark Founder, Heather McPherson at Practice Outside the Lines.

I want to become a certified sex therapist or certified sex coach or educator?

We also started one of the largest sexual health training organizations in the country. Check out Sexual Health Alliance for sexuality certification programs.

I need additional support around growing my sexual health focused practice as a sex therapist, sex coach or sexuality professional. Where can I find more information?

We started Practice Outside the Lines to support new and seasoned sexuality professionals learn how to start and grow a sexual health focused business.