What Is Sex Therapy?
Helping clients maximize their potential for sexual satisfaction, pleasure, and happiness is one of our greatest privileges at Ellis Evaluation & Consulting Services. Sex therapy provides a safe, confidential, supportive, and respectful environment for you to explore concerns related to sexual function, sexuality, sexual feelings, intimacy, as well as sexual relationships individually or with your partner. We work with clients across the lifespan, of all sexual orientations and genders (i.e., gay, heterosexual/straight, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, kinky, poly).
While some sexual concerns are easily solved with a trip to the physician’s office, sexuality related problems are often complicated by emotional, cultural, behavioral, and/or mental health issues and require the assistance of a mental health professional with training and experience in both psychotherapy and sex therapy.
Sexuality often develops in secret and without open discussion of what it means to be a sexual being. Although sexuality is an integral part of being human, we live in a culture that does not support true sexual health. Consequently, our approach to treatment and evaluation incorporates a holistic appreciation of the physical, behavioral, psychological, relationship, and spiritual factors that contribute to your sexual concerns. We enjoy helping clients create the kind of change that makes them happier, more fulfilled individuals both in and out of the bedroom.
Areas of Treatment Specialization Include:
- Physical Intimacy
- Low or Mismatched Desire
- Problems with Orgasm
- Recovery from Sexual Abuse or Sexual Assault
- Rapid or Delayed Ejaculation
- Helping Parents Discuss Sexual Matters with Their Children/Adolescents
- Child and Adolescent Specific Sexual Issues (e.g., problems related to watching pornography and/or "sexting", establishing and maintaining physical and sexual boundaries, navigating romantic or sexual feelings)
- Religious Shame
- Gender Identity Issues
- Out of Control Sexual Behavior (OCSB)/ "Sex Addiction"
- Questioning (i.e., anxiety or uncertainty about sexual orientation)
- Aging and Sexuality
- Medication, Medical Illness, and Sexuality
- Affairs/Infidelity
- Erectile Problems
- Fertility Concerns
- Coping with a Sexually Transmitted Infection/HIV/AIDS Diagnosis
- Alternative Sexualities
- Sexual Pain
- Sexuality Education
Therapy Process
Individual therapy sessions generally last 45 minutes. It is possible, however, to schedule 90 minute sessions for couples. Dr. Ellis is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist. We conduct a thorough assessment during the first few sessions to assist with determining an effective, problem-centered plan to address the issue(s) bringing you to treatment. The assessment will include obtaining a thorough understanding of your concerns, personal and family history, medical history, and your goals for treatment.
To be clear, sex therapy does not involve any sexual contact between the therapist and you or your partner. Instead, our work together will include discussing your developmental and sexual history, assessing your aptitudes, obtaining a thorough understanding of your current sexual functioning and sexual problem(s), providing psychoeducation, addressing mental health, emotional, and behavioral factors that may be contributing to your difficulties, as well as teaching behavioral and/or communication skills. We tailor therapeutic interactions to meet each client's unique constellation of issues.