Facilitating Erotic Connection: The Relationship Shared Values Primer (RSVP) to Sex and Relationship Therapy in the Context of Sexual Trauma History

Abstract

There are few models of sex therapy designed specifically for working with relationships in which one or more partners have a history of sexual trauma. The Relationship Shared Values Primer (RSVP) to sex and relationship therapies is a pre-sex therapy psychoeducation with the goal of promoting buy-in and reducing attrition by fostering safety and connection prior to beginning the therapeutic work through a dialogue of four key values: (1) Intimate Justice, (2) Non-linear Healing, (3) Mindful Acceptance, and (4) Erotic Empathy. We discuss research support for the rationale of the RSVP, how the RSVP can mitigate current obstacles to working with this population, and present a case study of the RSVP application.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Canadian Institute of Health Research, Doctoral Fellowship.