You want to find a family therapist that you trust. Your therapist should treat everyone fairly and be competent in the treatment process.

Intake forms will ask for your medical history and the health histories of your direct family members. Your sex therapist will also likely ask you to share a bit about your family culture and sexuality.

Vaginal Containment

Many family therapists are trained to work with diverse ages, racial and ethnic groups, sexual orientations, religions, socioeconomic statuses and abilities. However, some therapists may be uncomfortable working with clients who have certain concerns. If you have concerns about a therapist’s comfort level, ask friends or family for referrals or find an appropriate counselor who is comfortable working with your family’s needs.

The therapist will likely begin the session by allowing each person to introduce themselves, if they are not already familiar with one another. This is to break the ice and allow for open discussion.

The therapist will also likely take down some background information on the family. This will include medical and mental health history, as well as the relationships of each individual in the family. 

Vaginal Penetration

Like other types of therapy, family therapy sex starts with building rapport between the therapist and client. The therapist will likely ask questions about each person's interests and activities to help break the ice. This can include things like what people enjoy watching on television or sports teams they support.

Women who complain of a lifelong inability to tolerate vaginal penetration are a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for physicians. The underlying disorder is a fear of genital pain, which manifests as primary phobia and secondary avoidance behavior. Penetration phobia without pain is distinct from the condition known as vaginismus, but both have a profound impact on sexual function, relationships and self-esteem.

The etiology of the problem is complex and involves both psychosocial and organic factors. It is important to distinguish the phobia of penetration from other anxiety disorders. In addition, it is essential to evaluate the cognitive and behavioral treatment of this condition. A new instrument, the Vaginal Penetration Cognition Questionnaire (VPCQ), has been developed and validated.

Vaginal Movement

During family therapy sessions, the therapist may ask the patients to progressively tolerate the palm of the therapist’s hand on the vulva and the insertion of the therapist’s finger into the introitus. This is used to teach the patient about the anatomy and physiology of the vulva, vagina and pelvic floor muscles. This allows the therapist to use manual techniques to help improve proprioception and teaches the client how to contract and relax the kegel muscles.

In addition, the therapist will ask questions about past experiences and explore generational relationships. Many family therapists take a strengths-based approach, believing that families are more than their problems. They also help families discover and utilize their inner resources to deal with a problem or conflict.

People who are seeking family therapy should seek a therapist who has training and experience in this area. They should not see a generalist, just as they wouldn’t go to a primary care doctor for cancer or diabetes.

Sexual Intercourse

Whether couples seek out therapy for sexual issues or not, a family therapist is a great resource for finding information about what sex means to you and your partner. A therapist can provide you with a safe and nonjudgmental environment in which to ask questions and explore your sexuality.

Couples who do seek out sex therapy may work on communication skills or other issues related to their relationship, such as power imbalances or emotional affairs that affect sexual desire. In these cases, a sex therapist can help you determine whether the problem lies in the relationship or with one individual and then assist both in finding ways to improve the situation.

Typically, sex therapy is just talk therapy and does not involve physical contact between the client and therapist. However, some therapists use surrogate partners or a technique called sensate focus to help their clients become more comfortable with intimacy and touch. This is usually done after the therapist establishes rapport and builds emotional intimacy with their clients.