Should You Seek Couples Counseling or Sex Therapy?
Couples counseling and sex therapy are two terms that are sometimes used interchangeably. While there are a lot of similarities between the two, both sex therapy and couples counseling have different things to offer clients. It’s true that there is a lot of experienced professionals who can help couples and individuals in other relationships with any type of issue ranging from emotional to sexual. Dr. Sara West, LMFT notes that:
“It is probably no stretch to say that the majority of couples have some type of sexual issue…when a couple is experiencing communication problems or other relationship issues, these challenges often manifest in a couple’s desire or ability to be intimate and sexual.” (sarawesttherapy)
In these circumstances, it can be difficult for a person to decide if they should seek couples counseling or sex therapy to help their communication and/ or intimacy issues. If you find yourself asking “whether you and your partner(s) would be better served by seeking the help of a marriage counselor or the specialized expertise provided by a sex therapist?” (sarawesttherapy) we at Respark are here to help you with your decision process.
Main Differences Between Couples Counseling and Sex Therapy
There are a few key differences between couples counseling and sex therapy that may help you in deciding which is the best fit for you. Most distinctively, Dr. Sara West notes that “The most important difference is the focus on sex itself…couples counseling commonly deals with communication issues, problem-solving skills, and conflict resolution, but these issues may or may not deal directly with a couple’s sex life.” (sarawesttherapy) In this sense, if you’re experiencing issues related to communication, you may want to schedule a session with a couples therapist. On the contrary, if you’re experiencing issues with communication during sex or about sex, you may want to consult a sex therapist. Going off of this point, Dr. West emphasizes that “professional counselors and therapists have different training from that of sex therapists.” (sarawesttherapy) Sex therapists need to receive additional certifications in order to be recognized as a credible, licensed sex therapist, “the current ‘gold standard for sex therapists is certification by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT).” (sarawesttherapy) A sex therapist will have undergone specific training and hours of education in all aspects of human sexuality that a couples counselor will not have. For any sex, intimacy, or sexuality issues, it’s best to consult a licensed sex therapist because of their specific education on such topics.
Overall, the question of whether you should seek couples counseling or sex therapy has a unique answer for every relationship. No matter which you decide to go with, “professional counseling, psychotherapy, and sex therapy can help you and your partner restore joy and intimacy to your relationship and make your sex life better than ever!” (sarawesttherapy) If you want more information regarding couples counseling or sex therapy, feel free to check out the services we provide here at Repark!
By: Alyssa Morterud