David S. Hersh, EdD, FAACS

Clinical Sexologist

Sex Therapy Relationship and Individual Counselling Psychotherapy

"Most men and women and adolescent children, and even pre-adolescent children in their youngest years, face, at times, problems which some greater knowledge of sex would help solve."
Alfred C. Kinsey

By appointment: (250) 352-0151
E-Mail

Articles by Dr. Hersh

Dr. Sex blog
Columns published in The Express, Nelson, BC

Lack of Erection IS a Health Issue

Down the Slippery Slope
A brief guide to lubricants

And Baby Makes Three
Resuming sex after the baby arrives

Viagra®, Levitra®, Cialis®
and Your Relationship

MAKE PLEASURE LAST
A Manual for Men Who Ejaculate Too Soon

Passion Killers:
Three Dozen Guaranteed Ways To Kill Passion

"Rants, Musings, etc."

What is Sex Therapy?

Sex therapy is the process of using specialized clinical skills and specific treatment approaches to sexual problems and relationship issues as they relate to sexuality, for both men and women as individuals, or within the varied relationship configurations they may design.

It is intended to help you clarify, set goals, and resolve sexual questions or difficulties which affect the sexual aspects of your life. It is also a safe place to explore your sexual capabilities and learn new behaviours,

and an environment where you may enrich your already healthy sexual responsiveness. Sex therapy sessions are always confidential.

In some cases, the nature of your problem might be obvious, such as when physical difficulties prevent or diminish sexual pleasure. In other cases, sexual communication and intimacy may seem difficult, and there may be a feeling of a lack of sexual fulfillment. Sex therapy is designed to treat these sexual concerns.

How does Sex Therapy work?

Beginning sex therapy takes the personal strength to risk speaking about and sharing some very private information about oneself.

Therapy begins with your communicating about your sexual issues and concerns. Initially, your therapist will do a problem assessment, and when appropriate, a full socio-sexual history.

The therapy process may also include some of the following: written or experiential home assignments,

reviewing educational material, and referral to other professionals for coordinating services.

Sex therapy is generally short-term and solution-focused. Sessions need not be scheduled weekly, but may be arranged according to your individual needs.

Therapy is concluded by you when you think you have accomplished your goals. In all cases, you are in charge of the pace and type of growth and the changes that you make.

What problems does Sex Therapy treat?

Some of the more common concerns discussed in sex therapy are listed below, but many related issues would also be appropriate for counselling, including sexual communication and negotiations for couples on topics such as frequency of contact, mutually agreeable behaviours, and managing jealousy.

Male: Problems with erection Ejaculation timing and control Female: Orgasmic concerns Painful intercourse Lubrication Both: Lack of desire Boredom

Sexual Changes Through Life's Stages:
Parental concerns about adolescent sexual activity
Effects of pregnancy and parenting on sexuality
Sexual questions of mid-life, menopause, and aging
Sexual activity following illness, surgery, and disability.
Sexual Growth
and Enrichment:
Sexual information and sociosexual skills
Enjoying a sexual lifestyle in an age of sexually communicable diseases and conditions
Releasing sexual guilt
Concerns over sexual orientation (lesbian, gay male, heterosexual, bisexual)

Sexual Trauma and Atypical Sexual Behaviours:

Recovering from sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation as a child, and other coercive sexual behaviour

Treating exhibitionism and voyeurism

Becoming comfortable with uncommon eroticisms and fetishes

Gender identity issues (transvestism, transsexualism)

What about Sex Addiction??

Who should consider
Sex Therapy?
Sex therapy is helpful to individuals, couples, and families. It is not necessary for you to be in a relationship to participate. In fact, sexual concerns are often major factors which prevent people from forming satisfying relationships.
People of various ages are seen in therapy. People from all walks of life experience sexual difficulties. Cultural taboos and embarrassment or shyness about their sexual concerns affect many people.
Relationship and Individual Counselling
Although your sociosexual history may reflect how you interact in many other areas of your life, not all issues that may bring you to therapy are of a sexual nature.
The establishment of a relationship, including contracting, change, dissolution, and alternative lifestyles, serves to provide a focus for personal examination of life concerns. The therapeutic relationship will assist you in resolving those concerns, perceiving options, and making choices.

What about sex toys?

Except for procreation, sex between consenting adults is Adult Sandbox Play.
The internet is filled with companies that sell sex toys.
I've searched to find a company that I like for sexual attitude, quality and price.
I've met the owner of this company. It is a woman-owned business.
They are reliable and offer a wide variety of erotic toys, etc.
Take a looksee at the link below.

Click here to visit "A Touch of Romance"
and check out their catalog.

David S. Hersh, EdD, FAACS, is a Clinical and Consulting Sexologist and Psychotherapist in private practice. Board certified by the American College of Sexologists and the American Board of Sexology, a Founding Fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Sexologists (FAACS), a founder of the Sex Therapy Consortium in San Francisco, CA, and licensed in California by the Board of Behavioral Sciences as a Marriage and Family Therapist, he has practiced in California since 1966 and British Columbia since 1990. He is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. Dr. Hersh has also qualified as an expert in Human Sexuality by the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
Dr. Hersh is listed in The International Who's Who in Sexology (1st ed.), and he is a member of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS), and the Sex Information and Education Councils of the United States (SIECUS) and Canada (SIECCAN), and has served as Educator for Planned Parenthood Association of BC - Nelson Branch. He is also on the Board of Advisors for The Center for Sex and Culture in San Francisco, California.

1970 Datsun 240z #1556

Website created May 31, 1998 Copyright © 2007 David S. Hersh, EdD, FAACS updated April 8, 2008