Who Are Sex Therapists and What Do they Do?

" Welcome to our web -- I'm David folk Thomas that topic today is sex therapy. And you may have heard about it but how much do you really know about it. A lot of people -- sex therapy to help them when they think their sex lives are going the way they'd like to -- they may be having some problems we're going to discuss. The topic of sex therapy joining me a couple of experts from the medical field on my left is doctor Robert a fellow achieves -- clinical psychologist specializing in anxiety disorder is also the executive director for the center of behavior therapy and White Plains, New York. And sitting next or doctor Phil which is doctor Ken Rosenberg he's a psychiatrist. Affiliated with New York presbyterian hospital Cornell University medical senator. He also in private practice in New York he specializes in substance abuse and sexual disorders and gentlemen thanks. For joining us on the web casts and doctor Phil which show let's start with you. Give us the definition what is a sex therapist would they."

" Well it's a it'll I license qualified. Health professional then we'll. Go ahead and help people who have sexual problems either in their relationship with a partner war. Sexual problems that are interfering with their license situated creating a lot of uncomfortable in serious problem."

" And I doctor Rosenberg are sex -- How do you become a sex therapists are they licensed or. Well hopefully their license then. Ambulance. Right away. But unfortunately. It's apparently becoming psychologists. Or psychiatrists for you have boards have you know. 109 people watching you and exams. Whole protocol. On some clogs -- therapists that weekend seminar or if they're at it several a year. Study course at Cornell university. At New York is really you know. Law they're really prohibit people from calling themselves therapist the classics there. You try to find. A good characters that the characters ecology. Who has some specialties and and sexual disorders caused. Did you don't know you know you currency enters. I McCall's office sex therapists and patients suit too good to see sex therapist what are the reasons that make -- there. Commenting on the Internet the most common reasons for men are probably right now erect tile dysfunction. Dependence -- Injuries when -- Help especially without publicity around viagra in this thing and premature ejaculation is upon price as an Esiason again. A lot of women come because that our gas man and a lot couples come right because they're -- Intern firm better sex."

" Flame and it somebody were to go to -- sex therapy. Is that something that they decide on their owner they usually. Elbows on buying a partner how to motivate motivate those. Many different probably both depends on situation at hand but. You do your product because you're too embarrassed about talking to someone about it and someone you trust to you don't cares about to a lot. Really does it hadn't and inclusion you'll want the law or you have the the inside yourself to realize that if you don't do something about it and it's going to create even further problems in your life politically and stuff right and I've."

" Heard about sex surrogates now. Is that the same as the sex therapist and if not what's the difference. Well -- sex therapist and that experience I'm pleased to report fixed targets are people who have sex with that are. -- And some sex therapist to refer someplace in the -- I'm actually do not. I find that if you don't have -- and have sex with partly because you have. Intimacy problems and interpersonal issues and needs to be addressed. On. And I -- and -- and terribly afraid of sexually transmitted diseases and wanting to writing to encourage my patients that contract secretaries and disease with. Professional and he -- folks that almost seems like an oxy Moran a professional sex surrogate I mean they're actually had people. Under -- and professional people that we'll have sect of people lovely when -- banana man number and -- at conferences and meetings who are there. What is the goal somebody goes to the sex therapist you know take us through. When they get there what are they hoping to go to you first six or does is it is. That's a very thorough examination. And believe it or not those doctors to talk about sex with. Something sex therapist can offer is eighty. Rational. Intelligence. Well educated person talked about sex and open way and that's the first and I would say the most therapeutic and sex or offer. Take off from medication they can do the blood tests that -- are optional for lacked and they continue to urologist can know when to send news and where -- and it but the but the most important thing in my view particularly. But he -- talk in a rational rational recently about acts. And about everything about when -- master it and immediately fantasized with and I learned about sex and you know things that we as individuals never -- to speak about -- anyone."

" One of the major reasons why people com more or wipe -- direct dysfunction in direct. Is that one of the bleachers on the -- reasons. They have. Since then they have to perform -- have no idea that their main focus is to -- that -- And they feel -- in doing so they'll be with Nathalie please himself the pleased to partner. Hand to put so much pressure on actually -- organisms that they forget and they lose sight of the fact. That should be focusing in on the whole entire experienced partner. Sensations the pleasures they patient. Comes -- sex therapist. Is it just all about talking and is -- medication or what are the techniques used in effect. One at one is the sense that focus. In other and sexual education a lot of people think that you know they have to go to the mormons and you certainly don't understand a lot more sexton achieved organs. One of the things that since they focus does it -- it it. Through stages and processes. That they -- hit the couple learn to go ahead focused on other things besides the actual work to actually join me and -- pleasure each other. And if she graduated. System all the way up to the point where you're now naked together and having intercourse. But prior to that. You really focusing but the main thing is that that is their relationship communication skills. Cognitive restructuring. And of the technique that the -- can use who hadn't structured thoughts about the situation."

" Does this happen with with. Couples that have been together long time that -- maybe you can just started dating somebody really varies and depends on an individual I mean. Final large you don't want to see -- brand new apple are dealing with too many instances and get immersed in sex therapy. On the other hand some couples are now have such severe problems and there kind of at a crossroads in the relationship even early on because of sexual problems -- I have to get her to. It could be completely you know I mean -- I'm thinking -- I seen written recently a man who. Adjustment wasn't able intercourse at all. So as soon as he got to relationship his partner -- and ancient -- Arabic that they could have a meaningful relationship together. For other couples are problems that occur later on the relationship. And they can occur for any number of reasons cultural psychological. And biological. And a sex therapist could you know could do and number of things as safe from behavioral techniques -- which was -- to prescribe medications depending on. That it that it isn't that the situation the first thing of course all therapist who is diagnosed situation and try to diagnose -- properly and -- and treated according."

" And very quickly this might be backtracking a little bit. How many people think well they've been together maybe the guy thinks I'm not. Aroused by my wife anymore. Can usually get aroused by other images other people's -- yes the dinner when you have to explore what."

" The issue is there it is like a commitment phobia that's going on in every time that you hadn't become erect and that means going to now become closer and were intimate. It puts more stress and pressure on the on him and he begins to feel that he's going to them connected and and more close away and he starts to feel pressured out you're responsible for her emotional welfare and the news."

" And idol last word actually the last response isn't going to ask you quick question is this covered by insurance. Since there. Andy the problem with insurance and is what a formidable. It can be covered via amuse them through these are bona fide medical conditions. That should be covered by insurance sometimes sometimes. Thank you very much shut doctor Robert -- fell in which a doctor -- Rosenberg you've been watching our web casts. On sex therapist hope you've learned something I'm David folk Thomas Ian."