Sex Therapy
Who. What. When. Where. Why.
WHO would benefit from seeing a sexologist?
Many people benefit from seeing a sex therapist for a range of reasons. Benefits can include increased sexual functioning, increased pleasure during sex, increased confidence and sexual fulfilment, decreased sexual pain, decreased shame, and learning more sexual knowledge, tools, and resources to have a better quality of life.
People of all ages, sexual experience, sexual interest, gender, cultural background, religious background, sexual or romantic orientation, ability, and career see sexologists. While it may seem like a niche, sexuality is an important part of the human experience for everyone.
For more specific reasons people see a sexologist visit our Services page
“While it may seem like a niche, sexuality is an important part of the human experience for everyone.”
WHAT is Emma’s approach to sex therapy?
Emma believes that every person has a right to feel good in their bodies, have access to safe pleasure, and embody the sense of liveliness reserved for the sexually satisfied. She believes that every person is unique and finding acceptance through self-knowledge is the most direct pathway towards healing.
Emma welcomes each client with a sense of humour, an appreciation for curious and playful exploration, and employs evidence-based treatments and therapeutic interventions to make sure each client has the best chance for positive results. She is also a trauma-informed sex therapist who has worked with a range of trauma presentations and individuals with concurrent mental health conditions that impacts their sex lives.
Emma is a graduate of Curtin University’s post-graduate sexology program, one of two accredited courses in Australia. She has also completed a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
To learn more about Emma visit her About page.
“Emma welcomes each client with a sense of humour, an appreciation for curious and playful exploration, and employs evidence-based treatments and therapeutic interventions to make sure each client has the best chance for positive results.”
WHEN should I see a sex therapist?
It is never too late, nor too early. People should come see a sexologist when they are ready to work towards a fulfilling and pleasurable sex life.
Many people wait years before seeking help for sexual concerns. Often this is due to perceived shame and not knowing how to access help. Luckily, the profession has recently gained greater visibility and has sparked a huge surge of people from diverse backgrounds going to see a sex therapist the same way people see a generalist counsellor or psychologist.
Another common time that people start to see a sexologist is when they are referred on to one by a service professional. Examples include GPs, urologists, occupational therapists, midwives, surgeons, nurses, osteopaths, physiotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, couples counsellors, social workers, coaches, sex educators, lawyers, even sex workers or podiatrists.
“People should come see a sexologist when they are ready to work towards a fulfilling and pleasurable sex life.”
Sexual health is influenced by, and affects, many aspects of health including psychological, emotional, social, relational, political, and physical. When a sexual problem emerges, its origins are often complex and far-reaching.
Sexologists specialise in sexual health treatment, promotion, and advocacy. It is often a specialisation in another related field like counselling or psychology, nursing, education, or policy making. Sexologists are expected to have multiple degrees that add further credentials to their work.
When seeking a sexologist it is important to check the credibility of their degree and trustworthiness. The title ‘sexologist’ is currently not protected so anyone can call themselves one and start charging for their services. Additionally, there are many uncredited degrees and courses available in Australia that are not recognised by the governing body Society of Australian Sexologists. Checking that a sexologist will provide ethical gold-standard treatments and is upfront about their degrees is very important.
Sex therapy addresses psychological, emotional, and relational aspects of sexual health. Much like psychotherapy there are many different approaches that will suit different people. Sex therapists work alongside medical professionals to assure gold-standard care. Most often this is GPs, pelvic-floor physiotherapists, urologists, and occasionally sexual health nurses.
WHERE does sexology fit into the healthcare system?
“Sex therapists work alongside medical professionals to assure gold-standard care.”
Sexologists have greater training than many other healthcare professionals when it comes to the holistic understanding and treatment of sexual health concerns.
Commonly, individuals stop at a basic medical or pharmacological intervention to their sexual health concern. Or they ignore it! A great example of this is erectile dysfunction and genital pain during sex, a very common experience. Often the cause is primarily psychological, not biological. Treating the symptoms may have some result, but for greater change and gold-standard treatment it is always best to seek sex therapy from a licensed sexologist.