Is Sex Therapy for Me? Short Answer, Yes!

By: Alyssa Morterud

With the current climate in today’s world, many of us find ourselves reaching out to mental health specialists for advice on coping with anxiety or depression that has emerged as a result of the pandemic – or for no reason at all. Mental health encompasses more than generalized anxiety and depression disorders, and some of us have problems that are not addressed by traditional talk therapy. For example, sexual wellness is a part of mental health, and the pandemic has most definitely taken a toll on many people’s sex lives. The state of the world leaves many wondering, is sex therapy for me?

*Enter Sex Therapy*
Sex therapists are mental health professionals equipped to deal with issues that general therapists are not trained to assist in. Sex therapy is ultimately an extension of traditional talk therapy and can be used in tandem with conventional therapeutic methods. The scope of the practice addresses gender and sexuality expression issues, sexual dysfunction, polyamory, monogamy, and many other concepts surrounding sex and sexuality. A good example of sex therapy used in tandem with traditional therapeutic methods can be seen with generalized anxiety disorders. A person diagnosed with GAD may visit a sex therapist to deal with how their anxiety disorder has impacted their sex life. A certified sex therapist can help clients with GAD cope with the sexual side effects of anxiety, thus working to enhance that person’s overall mental health. If you’re wondering if sex therapy would be a beneficial addition to your mental health plan, we at Respark are here to help. Below I have compiled a list of 10 generalized indicators that will let you know if sex therapy has the potential to help you.

10 Signs that Sex Therapy May Help You

1. You want to explore aspects of your gender identity or orientation, and you’re not sure where to start.
2. You want to explore consensual non-monogamy or opening up a monogamous relationship.
3. You’re having trouble reaching an orgasm, either with yourself or with a partner(s).
4. You’re interested in becoming or starting a relationship with a sex worker.
5. You want to explore aspects of your sexuality or sexual orientation and simply want someone to talk about the experience in a safe setting with you.
6. You’re in a long-term relationship and are unsatisfied with your sex life, or you have an unsatisfied partner(s).
7. You’re having difficulty becoming or staying turned-on during sex.
8. You’re processing sexual trauma and are looking for a safe space and/ or a support system.
9. You started a new mental health medication, and you’re experiencing sexual side effects.
10. You want to incorporate kink into your lifestyle.

(Keep in mind that this list is an abridged version of the potential ways in which sex therapy can help you! If you’re curious about other issues, a certified sex therapist can help you visit our !)

Short Answer: Yes!
I believe that the short answer to sex therapy as a possible aid in mental health is always yes! Certified sex therapists are mental health professionals, relationship explorers, kink and BDSM experts, sex educators, and many other things. In this sense, sex therapy has the power to benefit your life positively no matter the reason. We all need to go to sex therapy!