Sexual Trauma Therapy: 4 Benefits from A Sexual Trauma Therapist
Sexual assault rates bring to light a troubling situation as data from the CDC indicates that sexual violence affects more than 1 in 4 women and more than 1 in 25 men at some time in their lives. As Sexual Assault Awareness month is in April, Liaison.’s main goal during this month is to provide therapeutic options that may help you return to your life. Sexual trauma therapy options following the occurrence of sexual assault can serve as part of your wellness process.
Sex Therapy: How It Can Improve Intimacy, Relationships, and Sexual Wellness
Sex therapists are licensed mental health professionals who use talk therapy to address the emotional and psychological aspects of sexual issues, helping individuals and couples with various concerns like low desire, pain during sex, and erectile dysfunction. They create a safe, confidential space for clients to explore their sexual history, beliefs, and concerns, using evidence-based techniques like mindfulness and couples communication. While they may assign at-home exercises to improve intimacy, they do not engage in physical contact or treat medical conditions. Their goal is to enhance overall well-being by addressing the crucial link between mental, emotional, and sexual health.
Betrayal Blindness in Relationship & Sex Therapy
Betrayal blindness, a psychological phenomenon where individuals fail to acknowledge clear evidence of their partner's infidelity, stems from a deep-seated need to protect oneself from emotional and psychological devastation. This occurs when dependence, past trauma, or emotional vulnerability overrides the ability to process betrayal. The mind, acting as a protector, distorts reality to maintain stability, especially when acknowledging the betrayal threatens one's sense of self or livelihood. Healing involves creating a safe environment, confronting the betrayal, and strengthening one's sense of authenticity. While betrayal blindness can temporarily stabilize toxic relationships, it comes at the cost of self-integrity. Ultimately, the decision to stay or leave rests with the individual, and therapy focuses on empowering them to make choices aligned with their needs and well-being.
Desire: Why We Want What We Can’t Have
Jack Morin's "Erotic Equation" (Attraction + Obstacles = Excitement) explains why forbidden fruit often tastes sweetest. We're inherently drawn to what's just out of reach, whether it's a coveted promotion, a luxurious lifestyle, or a former partner now involved with someone else. This principle extends to relationships: distance, mystery, or even a hint of competition can heighten desire. To reignite a stale spark, couples can introduce healthy obstacles, drawing from Morin's "Cornerstones of Eroticism"—longing and anticipation, violating prohibitions, searching for power, and overcoming ambivalence. Sex therapy explores these dynamics, helping partners identify their attractions and create engaging obstacles to reignite excitement. By understanding and applying this equation, couples can cultivate a dynamic and fulfilling connection.
Simone de Beauvoir’s Authentic Love
Simone de Beauvoir, a pivotal figure in existential philosophy, argued that healthy relationships, including those explored in sex therapy, hinge on mutual freedom and respect. She identified "authentic love" as a balance of reciprocity, where individual growth is enhanced, not diminished, contrasting it with harmful forms like narcissistic love (self-centered) and devotional love (self-subjugating). Beauvoir believed that true love, and indeed a fulfilling life, requires valuing both one's own freedom and that of others, rejecting societal pressures that enforce self-sacrifice or conformity. This perspective underscores the importance of authentic self-expression and equality in relationships, fostering independence while embracing connection.