The role of person-centered psychotherapy in addressing sexual dysfunction and the role of the focusing technique on sex therapy

Abstract

The work follows the positive influence of the elements/techniques present in a form of non-directive psychotherapy on the awareness of a sexual dysfunction and on the openness in therapy to work on this segment; also, the aim is to present the positive effects of focusing on clients with sexual dysfunctions. Eight clients were observed during a psychotherapeutic process that lasted over 20 sessions. All eight clients came for psychotherapy invoking elements of anxiety, wanting to more effectively manage their emotional area in couple relationships and the stress related to professional life. In the first sessions, dysfunctional elements in sexual life were not presented. After laying the foundation of an authentic therapeutic process through unconditional positive acceptance, empathy, and congruence - central elements in person-centered psychotherapy, the clients also began to explore the area of sexuality where we could observe what does not work and so, steps could be taken towards awareness and accepting the presence of elements associated with sexual dysfunction. From this point of psychotherapy, it was also possible to work with the dysfunctional elements in the sexual area through the focusing technique, the clients being able to connect at a deeper level with their body. The awareness/acceptance of a problem related to sexuality also needs a space where the person feels safe, to be able to work together with the psychotherapist also in the area of sex therapy. Focusing, through deeper bodily awareness, comes to the psychotherapist's aid when we have elements present in sexual dysfunctions.