Strategies and techniques for the treatment of inhibited sexual desire

Abstract

This paper, based on a clinical sample of 20 couples and 10 males without partners, presents a cognitive-behavioral model for conceptualizing and treating inhibited sexual desire. Tentative hypotheses and observations are made including: 1) there is a better prognosis if the desire dysfunction is not complicated by any other dysfunction; 2) females have a better prognosis than males; 3) it is crucial to break the self-defeating cycle of negative anticipation, aversive experience and avoidance; 4) therapeutic focus should be on quality and satisfaction of the broadly defined sexual relationship rather than the performance goal of intercourse frequency.