Sex Therapy Glossary Terms and Definitions | Maze Women’s Health

Sex Therapy	Sex Therapy generally refers to psychological treatment of sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction includes; inability to have intercourse, issues regarding desire, arousal, pain or orgasm. In men may include premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction.
Sex Therapist	A sex therapist assists those experiencing sexual dysfunction or relationship issues that are getting in the way of an active and fulfilling sex life.
Sexual Identity	Sexual identity is a term that, like sex, has two distinctively different meanings. One describes an identity roughly based on sexual orientation the other an identity based on sexual characteristics which is not socially based but based on biology, a concept related to, but different from, gender identity.
Sexual Health	Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relationship to one’s sexuality.
Sexual Behavior	Sexual behavior includes sexual activities or practices that refer to the manner in which humans experience and express their sexuality.
Sexology	Sexology is the scientific study of human sexuality including human sexual interests, behavior, and function. The term does not generally refer to the non-scientific study of sex, such as political analysis or social criticism.
Sex Manuals	Sex manuals are books which explain how to perform sexual activities and other sexual practices; including birth control, safe sexual practices and relationship issues.
Sensate Focus Exercises	A set of sexual exercises for couples or for individuals which generally introduces physical contact in a gradual manner moving from the least intimate to the most intimate. The term was introduced by Masters and Johnson and was aimed at increasing personal and interpersonal awareness of self and the other’s needs. Each participant is encouraged to focus on their own varied sense experience, rather than to see orgasm or intercourse the sole goal of sex.
Relationship / Couples Counseling	Counseling individuals in a relationship in an effort to explore, recognize, and improve difficult or destructive patterns. Generally refers to psychological counseling.
Marriage Counseling	The process is the same as couples counseling but it happens within the context of the marriage.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)	EFT is a psychotherapeutic approach to working with couples and more recently with individuals and families. It is based on the principles of emotion and attachment theory. Clients undergoing EFT are helped to better identify, experience, explore, make sense of, transform and flexibly manage their emotional experiences.
Orgasm	Orgasm is the peak of the sexual response cycle. It is characterized by an intense sensation of pleasure and muscular contractions and release.
Masturbation	Masturbation refers to sexual stimulation of a person’s genitals. The stimulation can be performed manually, by other types of bodily contact or by use of objects or tools, or by some combination of these methods. Various medical and psychological benefits have been attributed to a healthy attitude to sex in general and to masturbation in particular.