"Clinical sexology is based upon an action oriented approach that facilitates growth and the management of sexual issues by providing permission, information and suggestions to the client” Dr Ruppel
A clinical sexologist offers sex counseling to help people understand and accept themselves as sexual beings and meet their sexual goals. His first aim is to maintain a broad perspective by taking into consideration factors such as biological, psychological, sociological when addressing sexual issues.
The following are common concerns that a clinical sexologist deals with:
- Lack of or reduced desire or arousal
- Difficulty maintaining arousal
- Erectile dysfunctions
- Difficulty reaching orgasm
- Premature ejaculation
- Sexual phobia
- Vaginismus (involuntary contraction of vaginal muscles leading to impossible penetration)
- Dyspareunia and sexual pain
- Unconsummated marriages
- Feeling abnormal (in terms of sexual behavior, fantasy, capability, orientation, etc.)
- Feeling uninformed or misinformed about sex
- Feeling inexperienced or unskilled
- Feeling ashamed of sexuality or sexual desires
- Feeling negative about one's body
- Discrepant desires between/ among partners
- Sexual orientation identity (straight, gay, bisexual, etc.)
- Dealing with infidelity
- Difficulty communicating sexual needs and desires
- Finding satisfying sexual activities after surgery, a health crisis, ongoing health challenges or limited mobility
- Maintaining intimacy and satisfying sexual activities during pregnancy and parenthood
- Sexual compulsion and addiction
- Paraphilias (fetishism, voyeurism, tranvestism…)
- Seeking resources (including finding like-minded people)