Written by Amanda Holmberg, MS LMFT, Radiant Living Therapist & Owner
Okay, so you found our website while searching for help with your sex life. Many people wonder, do I need a sex therapist? Is sex therapy the right choice for me? I have been a sex therapist for over 10 years now and will use that knowledge to talk you through the different things to think about when deciding on the answer to these questions.
If you’re asking this question, you should talk with a sex therapist.
First of all, I just want to say simply, if you are struggling with your sexual intimacy or sexuality in any way, Y E S you should see a sex therapist. But don’t just take my word for it. Here’s why.
Before we get into that, let’s talk about who sex therapists are and what kind of training we have.
A sex therapist is a trained therapist with at least a master’s degree in counseling/marriage & family therapy/or social work. A sex therapist has training in therapy just like any “regular” therapist you might see. This means they went to graduate school for at least 2 years and are licensed or working toward a full independent therapy license. Beyond their graduate degree, most knowledgeable sex therapists have further education and training in the field of sex therapy. Many of the therapists at Radiant Living Therapy went through the University of Stout Graduate Certificate in Sex Therapy Program. The program is 12 credits or 120 hours of sex therapy training. Beyond that, a sex therapist may choose to pursue full AASECT Certification which means in addition to the education component they also have someone supervise their work and accrue a certain number of sex therapy hours. Don’t be afraid to ask your sex therapist what kind of training they have completed!
Reasons you may want to seek out a sex therapist
- Low Libido
- Mismatched desire levels with your partner(s)
- Sexual Pain
- Sexual Dysfunctions
- Problematic Sexual Behavior
- Infidelity
- Sexual Trauma
- Gender Health Services
- Sexual Identity Exploration
- Non-Traditional Relationship Structures
- ….and the list could go on and on!
Do Sex Therapists Still Help With Non-Sexual Concerns?
Of course! We are still “regular” therapists and have treated anxiety, depression, panic attacks, trauma, couples therapy or marriage counseling, etc. Many people come to us with a combination of sex-related concerns and the aforementioned ones. We are happy to help with whatever you may come with. Often depression and anxiety can worsen when sex is a problem in your relationship or vice versa! We also know that when couples are dealing with infertility concerns or postpartum problems, their sex life often suffers as well.
Should I see a “Regular Therapist” or a “Sex Therapist”?
Let me give you this analogy. If you fell and hurt your leg and think it might be broken, you would go to the ER. They will then assess it further, but if it’s more serious and you need surgery you will then see a more specialized doctor- an orthopedic surgeon. If you are having problems in your sex life, we suggest you go right to the “surgeon” who has specialized training to help. No problem is too big or too small.
What will sex therapy sessions look like?
Once we have met with you a couple of times we will formulate an individualized treatment plan for you or you and your partner(s). This may include psychoeducation, behavioral homework, communication techniques, intensive therapy, and more! We also make sure to give a lot of feedback on what would be most helpful to be focusing on in the session and at home. We can spend most of the sessions discussing your sexual concerns or we can spend part of the time on that and part of the time on the other things that brought you to therapy. The time spent in therapy can be however you think is most helpful.
Have I convinced you to talk with a sex therapist yet?
If you are still on the fence, schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our trained sex therapists. You can let us know what your concerns are and we can give you some feedback about how we might be able to help.
Consider Starting Sex Therapy in Minnesota
We would love to help you take a proactive approach to your sex life. Or, help you find the best sex therapist to address the concerns you already have with sex therapy from our Plymouth, MN-based therapy practice. In fact, we offer online counseling in Minnesota, no matter where you are in the state. To get started, simply:
- Schedule a free, 30-minute consultation
- Meet with a skilled and licensed sex therapist
- Feel more comfortable and confident in your sex life and beyond.
Other Counseling Services at Radiant Living Therapy
Our problems have many layers. We know these issues are complex so, we are here for you at our Plymouth, MN counseling office. Our professional therapists offer a variety of options for supporting your mental health needs. Our counseling services include individual counseling for anxiety or depression therapy, counseling for teens, marriage counseling and couples therapy, EMDR for trauma therapy, counseling for men, therapy for infertility, and more. Most of these services can also be offered online. Let us help you live your best life, starting with online therapy.
If you are a helping professional looking for help, or a therapist needing supervision or consultation services, we can help you, too. No matter the need, our therapists look forward to connecting with you!
Read more from the Radiant blog:
- Unload The Mental Load: Tips from a Twin Cities Therapist
- The Way You See Yourself Matters: Body Image and Sexual Functioning
- Attached at the Hip: How Attachment Styles Affect Our Adult Relationships
- New Year New Us: Relationship Resolutions
- Setting Boundaries: The Holiday Edition
- A Beginner’s Guide to Sex Toys
