FAQ
Sex therapy FAQs
Q: Exactly what is sex therapy?
A: Many years ago, a couple stopped attending their sex therapy sessions because they thought, given the excellent progress they were making, the next obvious step would be to start having sex again. While this assumption was correct, unfortunately they also assumed they were supposed to actually have sex in my office!
Sex therapy does NOT involve having sex in front of therapist. Sex therapy involves talking in the office and doing homework exercises at home. Visual aides may be used, which could include models, pictures, text books, and DVDs, but clients are left to experience actual physical intimacy in the privacy of their own homes.
Q: How "graphic" do I have to be in describing my problem to get help?
A: People always do better in therapy when they feel comfortable. Consequently I use only the language, explanations, descriptions, and interventions that are consistent with my clients comfort level. We can be as graphic or as "soft focus" as you want.
Q: Do you have to be in a relationship to come for sex therapy?
A: No. The solution for many sexual problems starts with an individual feeling confident and comfortable about their own sexuality and thus much work can be done without a partner.
Q: What are the most common sexual problems I see?
A: When a couple contacts me, it is most often a desire discrepancy that brings them to my office. When men seek therapy just for themselves, most often it is an erectile problem or premature ejaculation they would like to talk about. When women call, usually it is a concern about their own low sexual desire. However, the range of sexual issues I deal with is extremely wide and new issues crop up all the time. For example, 15 years ago, Internet sexual addiction didn't even exist. Similarly, we didn't start seeing "Post-Viagra Syndrome" until a number of years after the introduction of the drug.
Marital therapy FAQs
Q: Do both couple members have to attend for marital therapy?
A: No, but having both couple members involved is almost always preferred.
Q: Who is seen first in marital therapy?
A: My preferred method is to see the couple together, and then book an individual session for each couple member to complete my assessment. Following my assessment, the couple is typically seen together for the majority of sessions. So typically I see the couple together for one session, then they each attend an individual assessment session, and in the fourth session we get down to work! Life however doesn't always accommodate this plan what with work, childcare, travel, transportation issues, etc and thus if it is easier for a couple to attend their individual sessions first, this can of course be worked out. Additional individual sessions might be booked on an as needed basis.
Mental Health FAQS
Q: Do psychologists prescribe medication?
A: No, but read on. Psychologists are not medical doctors, and thus we don't prescribe. Generally, a psychologist is going to help you through talk therapy, homework, behavioural exercises and other similar interventions. However, psychologists aren't "anti-medication." In fact, we frequently work with family physicians, psychiatrists, and other health care professionals to monitor the efficacy of medical interventions. We also offer recommendations as to medication change including helping clients end dependencies on medication.
Q: Exactly what is sex therapy?
A: Many years ago, a couple stopped attending their sex therapy sessions because they thought, given the excellent progress they were making, the next obvious step would be to start having sex again. While this assumption was correct, unfortunately they also assumed they were supposed to actually have sex in my office!
Sex therapy does NOT involve having sex in front of therapist. Sex therapy involves talking in the office and doing homework exercises at home. Visual aides may be used, which could include models, pictures, text books, and DVDs, but clients are left to experience actual physical intimacy in the privacy of their own homes.
Q: How "graphic" do I have to be in describing my problem to get help?
A: People always do better in therapy when they feel comfortable. Consequently I use only the language, explanations, descriptions, and interventions that are consistent with my clients comfort level. We can be as graphic or as "soft focus" as you want.
Q: Do you have to be in a relationship to come for sex therapy?
A: No. The solution for many sexual problems starts with an individual feeling confident and comfortable about their own sexuality and thus much work can be done without a partner.
Q: What are the most common sexual problems I see?
A: When a couple contacts me, it is most often a desire discrepancy that brings them to my office. When men seek therapy just for themselves, most often it is an erectile problem or premature ejaculation they would like to talk about. When women call, usually it is a concern about their own low sexual desire. However, the range of sexual issues I deal with is extremely wide and new issues crop up all the time. For example, 15 years ago, Internet sexual addiction didn't even exist. Similarly, we didn't start seeing "Post-Viagra Syndrome" until a number of years after the introduction of the drug.
Marital therapy FAQs
Q: Do both couple members have to attend for marital therapy?
A: No, but having both couple members involved is almost always preferred.
Q: Who is seen first in marital therapy?
A: My preferred method is to see the couple together, and then book an individual session for each couple member to complete my assessment. Following my assessment, the couple is typically seen together for the majority of sessions. So typically I see the couple together for one session, then they each attend an individual assessment session, and in the fourth session we get down to work! Life however doesn't always accommodate this plan what with work, childcare, travel, transportation issues, etc and thus if it is easier for a couple to attend their individual sessions first, this can of course be worked out. Additional individual sessions might be booked on an as needed basis.
Mental Health FAQS
Q: Do psychologists prescribe medication?
A: No, but read on. Psychologists are not medical doctors, and thus we don't prescribe. Generally, a psychologist is going to help you through talk therapy, homework, behavioural exercises and other similar interventions. However, psychologists aren't "anti-medication." In fact, we frequently work with family physicians, psychiatrists, and other health care professionals to monitor the efficacy of medical interventions. We also offer recommendations as to medication change including helping clients end dependencies on medication.
