Frequently Asked Questions

Why should you use a sex therapist?

Who are sex therapy and relationship/marriage therapy patients?

How does Dr. Libby treat your relationship and sexual difficulties?

How does Dr. Libby consult with your physician?

How long does therapy last?

What usually occurs during the initial session with you?

What are the sexual and relationship concerns that a sex therapist/marriage therapist addresses?

Why should you use a sex therapist?
A sex therapist is specifically trained to solve sexual relationship concerns. Unfortunately, most marriage counselors and other therapists lack the training to effectively address most sexual problems. If you have a sexual problem, see a board certified sex therapist.

Who are sex therapy and relationship/marriage therapy patients?
Married and unmarried couples and singles of all sexual orientations (heterosexual, bisexual and gay or lesbian) can benefit from the experience and knowledge of a clearly credentialed, qualified and experienced sex and relationship therapist.

How does Dr. Libby treat your relationship and sexual difficulties?
He utilizes a combination of clinical sexology, medical consultations with your physician and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Dr. Libby helps patients get rid of distorted thinking, which allows for more positive and rational thoughts. Once thoughts are more rational, the effect on emotions and behavior is profound. This is true of all sources of stress and upset. He assigns exercises, intimate conversations and books and videos to alter your approach to your intimate relationship.

When there is a couple, he sees each person separately. He schedules subsequent sessions with both partners. All of his therapy is conversational. Dr. Libby does not suggest the use of sexual surrogates, and he does not perform physical examinations.

Dr. Libby makes specific suggestions to eradicate problems. He discusses the importance of dating a partner, improving communication, and emphasizing more time together. He strives for a balance between serious thoughts and actions and a shared sense of humor. He believes humor provides a sense of balance for those who have only been able to view life as a series of negative thoughts and events.

How does Dr. Libby consult with your physician?
He consults with your physician to identify and deal with any possible medical causes for specific sexual problems, and he makes referrals to doctors when appropriate. He often suggests labs on hormones and other medical tests, and he discusses the sexual side effects of prescription drugs. Dr. Libby works with physicians and sometimes with physical therapists and other professionals to address the mind/body connection. This is based on his belief that sexual and relationship problems require a treatment plan that includes mental, physical/medical and relationship strategies.

How long does therapy last?
Treatment is usually weekly or bi-weekly, and lasts anywhere from a couple of visits to several months, depending on the severity of your concerns. In a few cases, Dr. Libby works with a couple or individual for a longer period of time when there are complicated circumstances and when the problem has not been fully solved. Dr. Libby cautions patients not to terminate therapy when they start to make progress. He believes it is best to fully solve a problem before ending treatment.

What usually occurs during the initial session with you?
When there is a couple, Dr. Libby sees each person for one session, and then he sees the couple together. He shares what he has found, but he maintains confidentiality if one person does not want something particular shared with his/her partner. He zeroes in on the problem, and makes specific assignments for homework on distorted thoughts, and he makes behavioral suggestions as well. In the individual sessions he obtains a brief history of the relationship, and the problem.

What are the sexual and relationship concerns that a sex therapist/marriage therapist addresses?
The most common sexual problems for women are low and inhibited sexual desire and a variety of arousal and orgasm disorders, including lack of sufficient arousal to experience orgasm (anorgasmia). Also prevalent are problems with pain during intercourse (dyspareunia) and vaginismus (involuntary spasm of the muscles surrounding the vaginal opening, making penetration painful, if not impossible).

There are usually several pieces to each puzzle to solve. This is why Dr. Libby works with medical professionals and physical therapists, among others. Women may have body image and self esteem issues that affect their sexual desire and satisfaction. Dr. Libby addresses these and other concerns so the problem can be completely solved.

The most prevalent sexual problems for men are erection and ejaculation difficulties. Viagra, Levitra and Cialis are not usually complete answers to this problem. Erection problems may mask a cardiovascular malfunction, and they may also express mental health problems. The tendency to seek a magic pill for all sexual and other medical problems can be dangerous, because serious issues can be overlooked with this approach.

Men may have a problem not lasting very long during intercourse (premature ejaculation), or they may have difficulty ejaculating for too long a time, or they may not be able to ejaculate at all. These issues are addressed by therapy and by consulting with appropriate physicians.

Even though low and inhibited desire is extremely common with women, these problems are becoming more common with men. Stress from work and children can lower testosterone and other hormones that affect sexual desire. Dr. Libby makes specific suggestions for these problems.

Some men and women may also be obsessive and compulsive in their sexual thoughts and behavior. This can show up with hours glued to a computer screen to view a variety of pornographic images and/or to seek new lovers. Dr. Libby deals with obsessive-compulsive sexual expression, as well as affairs and other distractions from a healthy marriage.

Dr. Libby strives to find a balance in everything he does. He believes that many sexual and relationship problems exist from an imbalance in time, energy and priorities. He does not assume that all explicit sexual images are harmful. He co-hosted the original Better Sex videos, which are explicit, and which have helped many couples and individuals to improve their sexual expression.

Dr. Libby also addresses sexual and emotional relationship skills, improving communication, and he fine-tunes (coaches) those who have good sex lives, but want to go further toward absolute euphoria with enthusiasm and a playful sharing of and acting on erotic fantasies.

Dr. Libby also helps those with problems with jealousy and other problems experienced by those in open sexual relationships, and by swingers and those in polyamorous relationships.

Dr. Libby also helps heal victims of sexual abuse and other sexual trauma.

New York Times

Frequently Asked Questions