Seeking help requires a combination of security and awareness. You need to understand there is a problem, know that help is available, and be comfortable seeking that help.
This is difficult enough for routine problems, more difficult for medical issues, and extremely difficult for sensitive issues. Even in seeking help, adhering to a treatment plan and engaging in sex therapy exercises proves difficult for many.
Part of this is society's general discomfort with talking about sex. Another factor is finding time and energy to improve one's life.
Even though a person's sex life underpins several elements of health, sex therapy isn't always covered under general healthcare. This results in individuals and couples weighing the cost to value ratio in finding therapy. Read on to learn more.
Sex therapy programs are generally integrative, meaning a sex therapist will draw on a range of approaches to help an individual or couple.
Sex therapy aims to support people to have the sex life that works for them. The different options have many overlaps but each also offers something different that can help a person engage with the therapy. The comfort of clients is crucial to reaping the benefits for everyone involved.
Getting what you pay for is as much about the efforts you put in as the program serving to meet your needs. Avoid incompatibility between the therapeutic modality, the therapist, and the frequency of appointments.
It's key that everyone involved is forthcoming with their expectations and status as the therapy progresses.
In face-to-face therapy, a series of touch exercises may be given. Clients engage in these exercises at home, they do not take place in the session or involve the therapist at all
The traditional (read oldest) sex therapy option involves sitting in an office (or home). This is done either one-on-one with a therapist or with the therapist and a partner.
After initial screening sessions expect to have couple's sessions. If you find that solo sessions are needed, other forms of therapy are likely a better fit.
The approach used in face-to-face sex therapy can draw on behavioural techniques, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), couples communication, or emotion-focused therapy, amongst many more.
If trauma is the root of issues, for either partner, this could be an opportunity for them to seek out individual therapy to work beyond that. Sex therapy is often about working together and best undertaken from an otherwise healthy space.
Self-awareness is the key at the centre of these techniques. Engaging the client couple to be aware and active in their sexual experiences assists with many types of problems.
One benefit of face-to-face therapy is that it can be easier to form a supportive connection with a therapist in person. Often a lack of connection and a feeling of being abandoned to deal with their struggles alone is why people seek out therapy.
For couples, being asked to listen intently but without distractions does heavy lifting in creating a more mindful space. Being on the neutral ground together, away from their shared space, can help foster problem-solving together.
Face-to-face options cost the most because they require the most effort on the part of a therapist. Not only are you paying for elements of the brick and mortar office but also the furniture, note-taking, reception, and everything else that goes into a business.
The costs for these programs range from about £50-£120 per session ( on the higher end for couples therapy), depending on your therapist and where they are based.
Telehealth services are becoming more popular currently. People find it difficult to travel to an office when video conferencing technologies are adequate. This allows for talking and that all-important body language component to happen remotely.
Telehealth makes it easier to schedule appointments in a hectic life as it takes only the time to turn on a device and engage. It removes drive times to and from a session and the associated stress.
Time savings is one of the biggest benefits. The ability to put the exercises from online sex therapy into practice without the cooldown period of a drive home is another.
People feel comfortable having difficult, intimate conversations when they're speaking from their own homes. The distance that a monitor provides, combined with being in a familiar space, allows some people to open up and engage more.
Online sex therapy can cost less because there may be less overhead for the therapist
Digital therapy options build on the less intense face-to-face approach provided by telehealth. The major difference in digital therapy is that you don’t have to talk to anyone, except your partner. Instead, you are guided through a program created by the therapist that walks you through a series of sex therapy exercises and reminders.
The programs are dynamic and supplemented by a therapist who can be reached for additional information.
The principal benefit of digital therapy is taking out feelings of embarrassment or feeling judged. As you are dealing with a program, not a person, it can be easier to open up and engage with the material. Said materials are constructed by a therapist, ensuring the same professional interaction as face-to-face options.
The second benefit is time. Digital therapy allows for engagement throughout a day and week in bits and pieces. The only reason therapy currently runs in hour frameworks is to facilitate the therapist's journal.
This helps to remove some of the energy-drain of a day-to-day workweek from interfering with therapy. Working on digital therapy separately and together also helps couples break down communication barriers gradually in a way that being in an office can hinder.
Client's find they prefer to work at their own pace. Having on-demand access beats waiting for a scant hour. It's also more convenient to start touch exercises at home without delay.
Opt-in schedules match client goals: better communication, a fulfilling sex life, or a stronger relationship. Each of these benefits from the adjustable time commitments and frequencies that digital therapy offers.
Digital therapy offers value as well. With subscriptions, options are offered as weekly or monthly engagements instead of billed as time per session. This allows clients to experience more exercises for less cost.
Sex apps for couples may include a second subscription free for a partner, adding to the overall value for time.
A fulfilling sex life isn't just good for physical health, but also a general quality of life. Engaging with sex therapy exercises increases understanding and responsiveness to others.
With digital options, it's easy to engage on your schedule and improve from the comfort of home. You and your partner can grow together privately but with guided assistance.
If you feel ready to get back in touch with sex again, check out how with the Blueheart app here.
