Why Are Couples and Sex Therapy Taught Separately?
Therapists interested in pursuing couples work often face a dilemma: Do they study and train in a couples therapy modality, or do they pursue sex therapy training? But this choice prompts a larger question: Why are couples therapy and sex therapy taught separately in the first place? Many early career clinicians may be asking themselves this, and as they will discover, these two fields have been largely kept separate.
Couples therapy and sex therapy are taught separately for one reason—they were developed separately. There is no scientific or clinical reason for clinicians not to learn both modalities. In fact, therapists would benefit from knowing both because couples coming to therapy often need help navigating many aspects of their relationship, including communication and sex.
When working with couples, they will undoubtedly face issues related to intimacy, both emotional and physical. Indeed, these two types of intimacy are closely tied. For many, an emotional connection is a necessary ingredient for a sexual connection, and physical intimacy leads to a sense of emotional closeness. Why, then, is there not a more integrative approach to learning how to foster both emotional and sexual intimacy?
The best that most therapists can do is choose to pursue training in both fields so they are as educated and qualified as possible to do this type of work. This puts the burden on therapists to decide which types of training or modalities to pursue, financially invest in multiple programs, and integrate the knowledge on their own.
Perhaps a better approach would be teaching these two specializations side-by-side, allowing students and early career therapists to learn foundational knowledge and skills for treating couples. This approach would also allow therapists to get a sense of their interest in becoming certified in one path over the other, or if they’d like to continue pursuing both specializations.
Couples therapy and sex therapy are taught separately for one reason—they were developed separately. There is no scientific or clinical reason for clinicians not to learn both modalities. In fact, therapists would benefit from knowing both because couples coming to therapy often need help navigating many aspects of their relationship, including communication and sex.
When working with couples, they will undoubtedly face issues related to intimacy, both emotional and physical. Indeed, these two types of intimacy are closely tied. For many, an emotional connection is a necessary ingredient for a sexual connection, and physical intimacy leads to a sense of emotional closeness. Why, then, is there not a more integrative approach to learning how to foster both emotional and sexual intimacy?
The best that most therapists can do is choose to pursue training in both fields so they are as educated and qualified as possible to do this type of work. This puts the burden on therapists to decide which types of training or modalities to pursue, financially invest in multiple programs, and integrate the knowledge on their own.
Perhaps a better approach would be teaching these two specializations side-by-side, allowing students and early career therapists to learn foundational knowledge and skills for treating couples. This approach would also allow therapists to get a sense of their interest in becoming certified in one path over the other, or if they’d like to continue pursuing both specializations.
Navigating Intimacy: An Introductory Guide to Couples and Sex Therapy
It’s rare for couples to experience sexual problems without also experiencing communication difficulties. Likewise, it’s uncommon for couples who experience conflict and relationship dysfunction to not struggle with sexual intimacy as well. Why, then, are couples therapy and sex therapy taught separately?
It’s time for an approach that integrates couples therapy and sex therapy together—the way they are in real life.
In Navigating Intimacy, you’ll find the tools you need to help couples strengthen their emotional connection and resolve recurring conflicts while also helping them talk about and navigate sexual challenges.
Whether you’re a seasoned couples therapist or are just starting on your path to specialization, let this book be your guide to navigating the nuance, complexity, and art of couples and sex therapy.
It’s time for an approach that integrates couples therapy and sex therapy together—the way they are in real life.
In Navigating Intimacy, you’ll find the tools you need to help couples strengthen their emotional connection and resolve recurring conflicts while also helping them talk about and navigate sexual challenges.
Whether you’re a seasoned couples therapist or are just starting on your path to specialization, let this book be your guide to navigating the nuance, complexity, and art of couples and sex therapy.
Online Course: Integrative Sex and Couples Certification Training with Tammy Nelson
Tammy Nelson brings you a comprehensive program on integrating sex and couple’s therapy. Upon completing this course, you will be qualified for the Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional (CSTIP) certification through Evergreen Certifications. Supercharge your work with couples by learning this exceptional approach to couples and sex therapy.
Meet the Expert:
Isabelle Morley, PsyD is a clinical psychologist and an EFT (emotionally focused therapy) certified couples therapist. She is a contributing author to Psychology Today in her blog Love Them or Leave Them. She is frequently sought out by journalists for expert commentary on topics such as relationships, couples therapy and reality television, and has been featured in The New Yorker, The Boston Globe, Business Insider, Vox, and Verywell Mind, among others.
Learn more about her educational products, including upcoming live seminars, by clicking here.
Learn more about her educational products, including upcoming live seminars, by clicking here.
