Stanley E Althof1. 1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33401, USA. stanley.althof@case.edu
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: "Is there anything new in sex therapy?" Has the field of sex therapy been stagnating and failing to develop new treatments? Clearly, the important pharmaceutical advances of the past 11 years have overshadowed the developments in the field of sex therapy. AIM: The goal of this manuscript is to call attention to the recent innovations in the field of sex therapy. METHOD: Review of the literature. RESULTS: There are four candidates to consider: (i) combination medical and psychological therapy; (ii) the technique of mindfulness for women with complaints of arousal disorder and low sexual desire; (iii) Internet sexual therapy and; and (iv) reconceptualization of genital pain and psychological interventions for women with these complaints. This article reviews the literature in these areas and offers commentary regarding the benefits and limitations of the research. Finally, future directions for research in these four areas are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological innovation and intervention remains a vital aspect in the field of sexual medicine. New methods continue to be developed and appraised and the methodology, design, and sophistication of sex therapy outcome research have significantly advanced.
INTRODUCTION: "Is there anything new in sex therapy?" Has the field of sex therapy been stagnating and failing to develop new treatments? Clearly, the important pharmaceutical advances of the past 11 years have overshadowed the developments in the field of sex therapy. AIM: The goal of this manuscript is to call attention to the recent innovations in the field of sex therapy. METHOD: Review of the literature. RESULTS: There are four candidates to consider: (i) combination medical and psychological therapy; (ii) the technique of mindfulness for women with complaints of arousal disorder and low sexual desire; (iii) Internet sexual therapy and; and (iv) reconceptualization of genital pain and psychological interventions for women with these complaints. This article reviews the literature in these areas and offers commentary regarding the benefits and limitations of the research. Finally, future directions for research in these four areas are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological innovation and intervention remains a vital aspect in the field of sexual medicine. New methods continue to be developed and appraised and the methodology, design, and sophistication of sex therapy outcome research have significantly advanced.