The feminist experiential intersystems approach to sex therapy

Abstract

Sexual issues underpin a significant portion of clients’ reasons to attend therapy. Currently no Couple and Family Therapy (CFT) models overtly address sexuality or how to work with clients when sexuality issues are discussed. By adapting a framework that CFTs are already taught to specifically discuss sexological concerns, there is one less roadblock for therapists to encounter in their endeavors to permit clients discussing sex. The integrated model and interventions are illustrated in their utility for sexual topics from a systemic approach. The main aim is to adapt and illustrate the Feminist Experiential Therapy (FEI) model to work with clients on sexuality issues. The model can be used both for conducting therapy with clients presenting with a wide range of sexual issues or instructing clinicians-in-training on how to work with future clients regarding sex.

LAY SUMMARY

The FEI model provides a clear demonstration to work cohesively and holistically with clients from assessment to termination with sexual issues. The adaptation demonstrates how the techniques and interventions are utilized for sex therapy. This model has been developed over years of practice as a systemic sex therapist and academic.

Keywords:

• Feminism
• experiential therapy
• sex therapy
• intersystems
• systemic

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Dr. Rachel Diamond for technical assistance and support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 The use of folx is to demonstrate inclusivity of all persons regardless of identity.

2 I use the words woman/women and man/men in the literature review in alignment with extant research that specifically used those terms in defining their populations. Otherwise, I aim to use gender inclusive language throughout this paper which is representative of this paper’s populations—not all people in sex therapy define self as man or woman/male or female. This is to prevent further marginalization of persons that do not identify on the binary.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

K. Washington

Karen Washington is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Sex Therapist specializing in sex and communication. She works in group private practice in Chicago, IL. She is also an adjunct professor at Adler University in Chicago, IL., where she is completing her PhD in Couple and Family Therapy. Karen pursues advancing the research and incorporation of sexological research into broader therapeutic conversation. She has co-authored published works on the history of eugenics in the field of marriage and family therapy, an adaptation of Structural family therapy uses for consensual non-monogamy, and has ongoing research on the intersection of autoimmune disorders and painful sexual experiences in ova-having individuals.