Wondering what the difference is between sex coaching and sex therapy?
It’s a question I hear a lot as a sex coach, and so here are some things to consider.
What is sex coaching?
The kind of sex coaching I offer is somatic and experiential (meaning it’s body-based, focused on experience and observation, as research continues to show this method is most effective). My work is based on trauma-informed therapy and includes fully-clothed, non-sexual exercises designed to help clients have real-time experiences in the office thereby maximizing the potential for them to make the time to practice at home. Clients are given optional “homeplay” to practice what they are learning in-session which creates momentum in between appointments and builds new neuropathways in the brain, which creates change.
It’s similar to learning a new language and the difference between practicing in between your classes or not – the more you practice your new sexual language, the more familiar you become with what you’re learning and the easier it becomes to successfully interrupt unhelpful or restrictive patterns and habits. Sex Coaching is proactive, results-oriented work with one session building on another. I help clients build and understand their personal sexual roadmap.
What is sex therapy?
Sex therapy requires professional state licensure and a Master’s level degree in a related field. It is often based on reflecting and understanding the past (the “why”, the “when”) and which core wounds underlie current behavioral challenges. While sex coaching is much more present and future-based ( where the client is now and what they want to create, what kind of relationship and sex life they want to have – the “what” and the “how”), traditional therapy is often focused on unpacking past wounding which is affecting a person’s present behavior and can be a much longer in-depth process of examination and analysis, perhaps involving psychotherapy or medical intervention.
How do I choose between sex coaching and sex therapy?
What is it you need help with? Where do you need to begin? If you’re dealing with significant issues beyond sexuality, or you’ve never had traditional therapy, you may want to move into Sex Coaching once you’ve had the support of a licensed therapist. Sex coaching is a great choice If you’re wanting to address common sexual dysfunctions and improve your sex life. Sex coaching can help you develop confidence, bring that spark back to your relationship, learn to communicate more effectively about sex, and learn new erotic skills. Whether it’s a sex coach or a therapist, it’s important to speak with them first and see if they have training in the specific issues that you need support with. Most practitioners offer a complimentary phone consultation so you connect with them and make that determination.
While you don’t need a Master’s degree to be a sex coach, I am a clinical sexologist (similar to a sex therapist) and hold a Doctorate in Human Sexuality as well as many other credentials that allow me to approach sex coaching from a sex-positive, compassionate, empathetic and highly-informed perspective. I specialize in holistic sexual health and supporting clients in healing sexual trauma.
Still not sure? Get in touch and we’ll talk more about what your needs are, so you can create the sex life you deserve!
Want to know more about sex coaching? Watch this in-depth video with Flexible Films, in which I discuss the basics of sex coaching, who it’s for, how long it takes, and many other sex questions you might want answers to.