How to choose a sex therapist
Perhaps you’re finally at the point where you’re tired of dealing with your sexual, intimacy or relationship issues. There are many therapists out there, but unfortunately, many therapy graduate programs rarely focus on training in sexuality. Typically, there may be only one class in sexuality. If your concerns are focused specifically on sexual issues, it is recommended to find a sex therapist who has comprehensive sex therapy training.
The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) is one of the main professional organization in the United States that provides sex therapy certification for therapists. Becoming an AASECT-certified sex therapist requires at least 300 hours of clinical work providing sex therapy, 50 hours of clinical supervision, 90 hours of coursework in sexuality education, and 15 hours of Sexual Attitude Reassessment. It is a very rigorous curriculum to ensure that your sex therapist has a solid range of education and skills to treat your concerns effectively. If you’re searching for a sex therapist to help you overcome your sexual challenges, I highly recommend visiting AASECT to find a certified sex therapist. Since sex therapy can cover a wide range of issues, such as libido concerns, erectile dysfunction, navigating sexual trauma, exploring kink or opening up your relationship, you can look for a sex therapist that specializes in your specific concern.
Once you find a few therapists from an online therapist search or from the AASECT directory, check out their websites and contact them for a consultation. During the consultation, you can get a good sense of whether the therapist could be a good fit. Try out a few sessions to see if you feel that the sex therapist can help you with your concerns. Consider how the therapist makes you feel during and after your first few sessions. Do you feel supported? If there was any initial discomfort in discussing certain issues, do you now find yourself becoming more comfortable? Take note of how you feel during and after each session. Choosing the right sex therapist is an important decision, so it’s crucial to consider your overall experience.