Just like deciding to see a traditional therapist, finding a therapist who specializes in sex therapy is not as easy as doing a quick internet search for the closest office to you and calling it a day. Therapy is unique among the health care fields for how integral the client-practitioner relationship is to the progress made in treatment.
It’s essential to take the time to do your research and find a sex therapist who will best fit your needs. But how do you begin the research process? You might wonder what to ask a sex therapist when you interview the best candidate. Here are four vital questions to ask before booking your first session with a sex therapist.
The first question you should ask a sex therapist is how long they have been in practice. It might seem like an easy decision, but as with any profession, experience will often set apart the top quality therapists from those who may be skilled but still have some refining to do. Don’t be shy about checking out how long your sex therapist has been in practice.
Another critical question to ask your sex therapist is whether they are experienced with supporting the needs of minority group sexual orientations. While you can most likely assume every sex therapist will be equipped to support heterosexual clients, if you are part of a minority group in terms of sexual orientation, this is an important question to ask your sex therapist to ensure they will have sensitivity and more specialized knowledge of what a sexual orientation minority may face that heterosexual clients may not.
The third question you should ask a sex therapist is whether they are experienced with handling sexual trauma issues if this is relevant for you. Not all sex therapists are as knowledgeable as others when it comes to dealing with sexual trauma, so if this is a concern for you, be sure to check that your sex therapist can offer the specialized help you’ll benefit the most from.
Another equally important question you’ll want to ask your sex therapist is where they received their training from. It’s vital to ensure that your sex therapist is licensed and received the correct education and training for the role they’re working in. Don’t assume just because they offer sex therapy that they are fully qualified—it’s your health at risk, so protect it!
