How Does It Work? According to Masters & Johnson, the famous sex researchers, 50% of all couples experience some sexual dysfunction at some point in their relationship.Such problems include getting or maintaining an erection, premature ejaculation, difficulty in achieving orgasm, painful intercourse, poor sexual communication, and lack of sexual desire. These are some reasons for seeking help through therapy. Sex therapy has proven to be effective in resolving many difficulties without lengthy intensive psychotherapy. It may, of course, be necessary to first develop healthy levels of trust, equality, and freedom from accumulated resentments and anger in the relationship. What to Expect from Therapy Making healthy changes involves working on a single issue at a time. You engineer change by developing a step-by-step plan... then experiment with is until it works. Sometimes the solution may rest in simply learning new ways to communicate that are clearer and less likely to hurt feelings and raise defenses. Other times the solution involves exploring the past to illuminate the present. Within marriage, many people recreate scenarios from their childhood and therefore react as though in an earlier situation. To make the necessary separation between present and past may mean grieving old losses, deprivations, abuses, or neglect. In addition, it will be important to identify present unmet needs and learn healthy ways of getting them met. Reducing Anxiety and Increasing Pleasure Much of the effectiveness of sex therapy comes through pleasuring assignments prescribed by the therapist. These tasks are designed to reduce anxiety and increase pleasure in a carefully structured fashion that is tailored to the couple's needs and desires. Through this process new attitudes and appreciations are discovered that help the relationship flourish. At no time does any sexual activity take place at the therapist's office or in the presence of the therapist. All conversations are completely confidential. Kathleen Logan-Prince, MSW, LICSW     Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist    Certified Sex Therapist Phone: (781) 647-9555 Fax: (781) 893-2075