A study of treatment needs following sex therapy

Abstract

The authors describe 19 couples who returned for additional treatment after traditional short-term sex therapy. Eight couples required additional short-term sex therapy, and 11 couples were treated primarily with individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy or conjoint therapy for an extended period of time. The authors identify three reasons for return to therapy: 1) treatment overload, 2) severity of symptoms, and 3) presence of psychopathology relevant to the sexual dysfunction. They point out that pleasure, intimacy, and cooperation dysfunctions need to be worked through if sex therapy is to have lasting effects.