pelvic pain or genital pain, including vulvodynia.lack of self-confidence or sexual confidence.phobias, avoidance, or anxieties about touch, sex, and intimacy.sexual, physical, or emotional abuse or trauma.body dysmorphic disorder, negative body image, or physical disfigurement.The range of concerns and conditions that may prompt the therapist or the client to consider a partner surrogate may include: Generally, individuals considering sex surrogate therapy have been undergoing sex therapy or psychotherapy for months to several years to deal with concerns such as self-confidence, body image issues, fears, and sexual dysfunctions.
All team members make a mutual decision to terminate therapy, typically when the client achieves their goals. However, open, proper, and consistent communication among all three team members is fundamental for the approach’s success. It is important to note that the therapist is not involved in the sessions between the surrogate and the client. Intensive therapy typically lasts for 2 weeks. This involves meeting with the surrogate partner for 2–3 hours per day and with the therapist for 1 hour per day. It usually involves meeting with the therapist for 1 hour per week and meeting with the surrogate partner for 1–2 hours per week.Īlternatively, they may use an intensive setup, which is when the therapist-client and surrogate-client sessions overlap to facilitate rapid growth and change for the client. The plan may incorporate:Ī person may opt for local therapy, which is when the therapist and the surrogate are both available in the local community. Surrogates guide clients through the program and gradually progress through varied therapeutic experiences that aim to explore, build the client’s skills, and promote their healing. The goals of this treatment may include building self-awareness and self-confidence, developing effective communication, training social skills, and developing physical and emotional intimacy skills. Similarly to the way exposure therapy enables a person to face their fear, this treatment provides access to a safe partner to allow a person to practice techniques, among other skills. They receive training to mentor, coach, and help clients meet their treatment goals. Partner surrogates work in collaboration with the therapist and the client. The therapist may recommend surrogate partner therapy if they deem it helpful. The course of therapy usually begins with the therapist and the client determining goals and creating a treatment plan to address the issues behind the client’s difficulties. In this article, we discuss what sex surrogate therapy is, how it works, who can benefit from it, and how it differs from other practices.
Sexual health and satisfaction can play a crucial role in a person’s health and well-being, and forming sexual relationships may impact happiness and fulfillment. While this treatment can involve intercourse with the surrogate partner, it does not always.Ī person may seek this type of therapy because of sexual dysfunctions or any trauma, fears, or anxieties they experience related to sex.
A person sees both a sex therapist and a surrogate partner to help develop a healthy self-concept and improve sexual functioning. It involves working with a licensed therapist and a surrogate partner to manage potential issues with intimacy.Īlso known as surrogate-assisted therapy or surrogate partner therapy, this treatment aims to help build self-awareness and skills in physical and emotional intimacy. Sex surrogate therapy is a three-way therapeutic relationship to help a person feel more comfortable with sex, sensuality, and sexuality.