Concepts & Principles

Sexuality is an important part of human personality and behavior. Because of the psycho-social-cultural influences on values and behavior, a wide variety of sexual expressions exist and need to be understood. Each person possesses a unique sexual value system. Sexual behaviors and attitudes of each individual in a relationship need to be mutually identified and understood if sexual interaction is to improve.

There is no uninvolved partner in a sexually dysfunctional relationship. To blame or assign fault serves no useful purpose in reversing a sexual difficulty. Pathways' counseling focuses on what is or is not happening between a couple. The "client" in couple sexual counseling is the interactional relationship of the couple, not an individual.

Anxieties and fears concerning one's performance can have a very damaging effect on sexual interaction. Fortunately, such anxieties can be reduces. If no physical problem is present, sexual dysfunctioning is seen as a learned behavior, maintained by performance anxieties and by external environment. If a physical problem is present, clients are then referred to consulting physicians for evaluation and treatment of the medical condition.

Problems

Many couples demonstrate difficulty in establishing clear communication regarding their sexuality. Often, fears of intimacy and a clash of sexual value systems are involved in the problem.

A lack of sexual knowledge or misinformation about sexual functioning exists among many people. This is particularly true regarding the aging aspects of sexuality. Real and perceived differences in "sex drives" are often described by couples. When one partner's interest seriously differs from the other's, the discrepancy may be a symptom of a more specific difficulty, such as orgasmic dysfunction, or it may be stated as a general lack of interest in sex.

Specific Problems - Men

Erectile Dfficulty
Inhibited Desire
Premature Ejaculation
Lack of Orgasm
Retarded Ejcaulation
Painful Conditions
Compulsivity

Specific Problems - Women

Inhibited Desire
Painful Conditions
Lack of Orgasm

Sexual therapy is available for people with special issues and concerns, including:

People in recovery from substance abuse
People who are gay, lesbian or bisexual
People with disabilities
People who are single

For more information regarding sexual therapy and therapist certification please visit the American Association of Sex Educators Counselors and Therapists - AASECT