Psychosexual Counselling Luton & Dunstable, Bedfordshire

If you’re having problems relating to sex – including erectile dysfunction, pain during sex or many other issues – psychosexual counselling in Luton and Dunstable can help you understand the root causes of them and overcome them. Understanding what happens in a typical session of psychosexual counselling, the ideas that underpin it and which conditions it was designed to help gives you the information you need to determine if it’s the right approach for your needs.

What is Psychosexual Counselling?

Psychosexual counselling is a form of psychological treatment first developed in the early 1970s, which is closely related to psychodynamic counselling (and Freud’s theories) but specifically addresses sexual problems which stem from psychological issues. The general idea can be understood with a straightforward (and completely normal) example: if you’re really stressed about work, you probably won’t be “in the mood” for sex, or at least you’ll have more difficulty getting in the mood than you ordinarily would. In other words, psychological distress of various types can lead to sexual problems with arousal, erections, pain during intercourse, premature ejaculation and similar issues. The theory behind psychosexual therapy is that addressing the root psychological causes will help with the sexual consequences too.

There are a wide range of issues that psychosexual counselling in Luton and Dunstable can help you address, including (but not limited to):

In short, psychosexual therapy can offer help with most sexual difficulties, regardless of severity, and provides a safe space in which you can explore the issues and their root causes.

What Happens in Psychosexual Counselling?

Psychosexual therapy has two major stages: finding out what’s at the root of the issue and then helping you overcome it. Accomplishing the first means listening to you as you talk about the problem, so the therapist’s role in the early stages is that of an active listener, encouraging you to open up in a non-judgemental, understanding environment. Since sexual problems affect both partners, it’s generally recommended that you attend as a couple, but you don’t have to if this is a problem. Nobody will be blamed for what’s happening, and you won’t be given any examinations or asked to perform any sexual acts: the goal is simply to encourage you to open up about what’s happening and how it makes you both feel.

After your counsellor has identified what might be causing the issue, he or she will help you address the root causes and teach you practical tips for overcoming them. It’s part talk-therapy – helping you understand what’s happening, teaching useful coping mechanisms for stress or unpleasant feelings and challenging any misconceptions you hold about sex, for example – and part practical advice, such as intimacy-building exercises you can try in the comfort of your own home. Additionally, if relationship issues are an important factor, the sessions often address similar issues to couples counselling.

If you think you could benefit from psychosexual counselling in Luton and Dunstable, or are having any sexual issue that you’re struggling to overcome, get in touch today and see how we can help you. Our goal is to help you regain a healthy sex life and address any deep-seated issues that are affecting you. Simply put, we’re here to help you in any way we can.