The New Sex Therapy
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The New Sex Therapy by Helen Singer Kaplan describes new methods for the treatment of sexual disorders. The author sets out to distinguish these methods from traditional treatments of sexual disorders based on the psycholoanalytic model. The psychoanalytic model assumed that all sexual dysfunction was the result of deep-seated emotional problems or mental illness; treatment was based on lengthy procedures. In contrast, the new sex therapy assumes that, although some sexual dysfunction results from serious psychopathology, other sexual dysfunction results from immediate causes that are amenable to short-term treatment methods. These treatment methods include clinical sessions between couple and therapist as well as erotic and communicative tasks that the couple works on in the home environment. Sexual dysfunction arises from multiple causes and there is no single theory that can apply to its treatment. The therapist's "flexibility, openness, inventiveness, intuitiveness, warmth and sensitivity" (xvi) are essential ingredients for successful outcomes. The author further notes that the objectives of sex therapy are limited to the relief of sexual dysfunction symptoms albeit improved communication and emotional closeness in couples' relationships are often by-products. In Area I, Basic Concepts the author summarizes some of the basic data in the field of sex therapy. The main source of this data comes from the pioneering studies of Mas
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lationship. The author points out that although psychoanalysts and marital therapists also treat sexual dysfunctions, these professionals consider the clients' sexual problems as secondary and indicative of other underlying problems. In comparison with psychoanalysts and marital therapists, the goal of the sex therapist is quite limited. Another distinguishing feature of sex therapy is the treatment format. Therapists combine psychotherapeutic sessions with presribed sexual tasks for the couple to work on at home. The emphasis in the new sex therapy is always on the couple, as opposed to the individual: "Since a crucial ingredient of successful therapy is the participation of two individuals in the sexual exercises which are required to improve the previously destructive sexual system, we consider the use of couples indispensable" (200). The sexual tasks that are prescribed for the couples allow them to experience feelings of pleasure and sexuality without the focus on sexual performance. These prescribed exercises heighten the couples' awareness of their own and their partners' sexual needs.
Area IV describes various sexual dysfunctions. A couple is considered sexually dysfunctional if either partner has a disorder that
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1458
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)
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