Introduction to Behavioral Therapy for Sexual Dysfunction I

  The use of prescribed sexual concentration training methods to treat sexual dysfunction in both sexes was the brilliant creation of American sexologists Masters and Johnson, a major innovation and breakthrough in the field of modern sex therapy in the early 1970s, which shook the dominance of psychoanalytic therapy in the field of sex therapy for more than half a century. In fact, sexual experiences have been used since ancient times to alleviate patients’ sexual problems.  Thousands of years ago, a Greek man deprived of sexual power by a “god” sought help at the temple of Amoroti, where a nun, a prostitute trained in the art of sexuality (the earliest stand-in for a sexual partner in sex therapy), shared a ritualistic sexual experience with the Greek man and treated his erectile dysfunction.  The use of behavioral prescriptions in therapy is not the only method of sex therapy; family therapy and group therapy specialists have also experimented with “homework” or other specially arranged forms of interaction. These developments reflect advances in the level of sex therapy, which tends to repeat and use experiential factors to improve human behavior. This therapeutic approach departs from the traditional apprehension or cognitive approach to psychological conditioning, and the behavioral therapy of sexual experience has become the primary and fundamental therapeutic technique of sex therapy. This designated principle of experiential behavior therapy has been widely disseminated and applied worldwide for the past 20 years.  One of the goals of the therapy is to shift the goal of the partners’ sexual activity from accomplishing sexual response to giving and receiving sexual pleasure and delight from each other. Instead of focusing on erections and orgasms, they focus on the experience of sensual feelings in an effort to improve destructive dissociative tendencies or spectator attitudes, which is known as Sexual Focusing Therapy. It requires both partners to abide by the following principles: recognize that sexual dysfunction is a matter for both partners, not just one as they may think. Both parties should act with the conviction that they have a sincere desire to solve the problem with each other. No sexual relations outside of marriage should take place during the treatment period. To organize work and life, it is better to get rid of work and household worries hospitalization or hotel treatment in order to have time, emotions and a suitable place to complete training assignments. In this way, they will not have any time and work pressure to leave behind all the unpleasantness of the past and make a concerted effort to move forward. Since patients with sexual dysfunction are prone to anxiety and ideological stress, or fear of sex due to failed intercourse, sexual intercourse should be abstained from during behavioral therapy, so that the patient is treated in a very relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. This will give the cerebral cortex a chance to properly adjust and recuperate. The doctor’s decision on when to resume sexual intercourse should be based on the progress of the training, and the doctor’s arrangements should be followed with regard to medication and alcohol consumption.  Training should be done at a time suitable for both partners and under good environmental conditions, such as no interference from others, a warm and comfortable room with soft and dim light (to be able to see each other’s reactions), and can be accompanied by relaxing music. It is best to be naked, but if full nudity will make the patient feel uneasy and uncomfortable, then be less naked or semi-naked at the beginning and then fully naked after getting used to it. The position to both sides can look at each other’s whole body, and take into account the active side of the touch to act easily and naturally is appropriate. Generally use the passive side of the supine or prone, active fondling side sitting or lying on its side, the two sides to take the face-to-face position. When the male side stroking the female side can also be used without demand position, that is, the male back against the head of the bed or bedding and sitting, legs apart, the female back against the male side sitting between its legs, when both men and women can easily operate, the female back against the male side of the chest can feel a sense of security and reliability. Training time can be long or short, generally an hour a day is appropriate, both sides take turns to act as the active or passive role. A total of 15-30 sessions are scheduled, depending on the progress of the treatment. As stroking needs to enhance sensual sensation and reduce the discomfort caused by dry stroking, massage cream or lubricant can be used. The use of these chemically inactive, sticky, slippery, inert lubricants can also eliminate the patient’s aversion and discomfort to genital secretions, as they are similar in physical properties and will no longer be aversive to secretions after getting used to contact with lubricants of similar properties.