Many people are curious about sexuality counseling. But, many assumptions about what it is and what it entails are often negative, misguided, or wildly incorrect.
If you’re interested in learning more about sexuality counseling and how it can help you, here are four things you should know about it.
1. The Goal of Sexuality Counseling Is to Help People Experience Satisfying Sex Lives
Sexuality counseling is typically short-term. A sexuality counselor will focus on the sexual health challenge(s) at hand, and provide psychoeducation, teaching their patients to problem solve, enhance their communication skills, improve their assertiveness skills, and equip them with techniques to ameliorate their sexual dysfunction.
The primary goal of sexuality counseling is to assist individuals and couples to ensure satisfying and enjoyable intimate relationships, as well as sex lives in general. This can include teaching their patients about sexual anatomy and physiology, as well as the impact that medications and lifestyle can have on their sexual health.
2. Sexuality Counseling Helps to Decrease Sexual Discomfort
By and large, sexuality counseling is a form of support provided by physicians, and nurses, among other types of healthcare professionals, as well as school counselors, and religious leaders.
Sexuality counseling allows people to explore their beliefs, develop coping mechanisms, and find practical approaches that work best for them. At no point is the goal to persuade someone to head in one direction or another. Instead, it’s a safe place where people can talk about difficulties they experience, gain insights about potential solutions, and receive support as they move toward their ideal outcome.
3. Sexuality Counseling Can be a Solo or Joint Experience
When a person visits a sexuality counselor, they aren’t required to bring their partner, even if they are in a long-term intimate relationship that’s being impacted by the challenges that person is facing. Some may find solo appointments beneficial, allowing them to address individual concerns privately. Others may prefer to attend appointments with their partner, allowing the couple to work together toward common goals, gain a greater understanding of one another, or build stronger connections.
4. Certified Sexuality Counselors Are Highly Trained in Addressing Issues of Human Sexuality
Certified sexuality counselors are medical professionals, including health counselors, gynecologists, urologists, and psychiatrists. However, regardless of their profession, American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) certified sexuality counselors have gone through rigorous training, giving them a broad and robust understanding of human sexuality in all of its various forms. This ensures that they have the expertise to address a wide range of concerns effectively, all while creating a safe space that’s free from judgment.
You can learn human sexuality counseling at The Sexual Health School. We specialize in providing AASECT and APA human sexuality CE courses that you can complete from the comfort of your home.
