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Dr. Marcus believes that effective therapy is more than just talking about your problems. Many of us talk to our friends about our problems. Afterwards, we may feel better, but eventually we still find ourselves stuck in the problem. This is when you might consider working with a therapist. A good therapist can help you move beyond just talking about the problem. This is done by exploring not only what you think, but how you feel and how thoughts and feelings influence one another. Change begins to occur when you can clearly see the way your thoughts, feelings and life experiences have lead you to make choices that have been problematic. The hardest part is then working with your therapist to come up with different ways to handle life's challenges despite what you are used to feeling, thinking or doing.
The Sex Therapy process is very similar to that experienced with other mental health practitioners. The Certified Sex Therapist will meet with the person as an individual or with a couple in an office setting where an extensive history of the concerns will be taken. The Certified Sex Therapist will note both the psychological and the physical components and will establish one or more diagnoses. After this, a treatment plan will be proposed, usually with your involvement in its development. In some instances, the Certified Sex Therapist may work closely with the person’s physician, nurse, or other therapist or counselor to establish causes and remedies for the problems. In no instances will a Certified Sex Therapist engage in any kind of sexual activity with a therapy patient/client, whether in the office or in any location. Don't let embarrassment or shame prevent you from seeking help and having the kind of sex life you desire.
For those of you in relationship, think back to the time when you first met your partner. You saw him/her across the room, and something inside you said, she/he is the one. There was a sense of excitement and passion in you. You eventually meet and start dating. Eventually you start having sex and its passionate and really hot. Eventually you become a committed couple (for straight couples it may even lead to engagement and marriage). Romantic love, is natures way of bringing people together. Unfortunately, this phase does not last. Sometimes, power struggles may get in the way.
The good news is that most of the power struggles we have can be overcome. Power struggles are opportunities for growth. They represent the issues we have yet to resolve from our childhood. If we can just put our reactivity on hold, engage in a constructive, safe and open dialogue with our partner, we will eventually see that the conflict dissolves.
In couples therapy, Dr. Marcus works with clients on how to communicate and connect in a deep way. It is through understanding and connection that couples regain that romantic feeling and rekindle the passion that was once there in the early phase of the relationship.
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