Why Is Sex Important for Self Care? A Sex Therapist Chimes In!
Hey everyone, sex therapist Jackie, she/her, blogging in from my lovely town of Minneapolis, MN. You’re probably wondering why sex is a part of our self-care. There are SO many reasons why that we’ll get into during today’s blog! But first, this sex therapist wants to reiterate the message of there is no shame in the sex therapy game! When you’re searching for a sex therapist near me, it’s important to keep in mind, that’s a big ass first step you’re taking to put yourself, goals, and sexual self, first! Give yourself a fucking high five in the mirror and pat on the back for that one because sex therapy is definitely different than other types of therapy in Minneapolis. So let’s dive into how sex therapy works!
How does Sex Therapy Work?
Yes, what a fab question! You probably are curious about how sex therapy works and it’s important for us to start here. Sex therapy can help with multiple things, be it pleasure, desire discrepancies, couples sex therapy, communication skills, sex therapy techniques, going over a sexual history assessment, understanding any medical/biological/genetic/substance/mental health components during the assessment, bibliotherapy, and psychoeducation aka a fancy-ass word for unlearning myths about sex we were taught and relearning about the sexual education we never got, hey that rhymed! What up!! But it’s much more than that. That’s a short ass list of what this sex therapist does when working with folks. Sometimes it’s doing BDSM/Kink therapy with yes-no-maybe checklists, sometimes it’s Gender Affirming Care and exploring different types of transitions, gender expression, traits, sometimes it’s taking steps to understand one’s sexuality, fluidity, and attraction to people, sometimes it’s exploring when sex hurts and what to do next, other days it’s focusing on open marriages and relationship dynamics with couples therapy, or even slowing down, having better sex through mindfulness, and focusing in on the pleasure points in our bodies. This is literally the brief fucking version of how sex therapy works. Every sex therapist in Minneapolis or other places across the world may add on other things that come up when discussing sex therapy and what it is like. For now, this is your appetizer, and check out my other blogs if you want to get down to more of the nitty-gritty with things! Here are a few….
*Top 5 Myths about Sex Therapy in Minneapolis
*What to Expect from Sex Therapy in Minneapolis
*Questions to Ask a Sex Therapist in Minneapolis
*FAQs about Sex Therapy in Minneapolis
I bet these will answer your question more about how does sex therapy work in Minneapolis, immediately, do not delay, check them out today!!
What are Sex Therapy Techniques?
I think the question is, what aren’t sex therapy techniques? Which those, you can find in my about sex therapy in Minneapolis myths blog above! Anyway, this is also a wonderful question. There can be so many different kinds of sex therapy techniques, again, it all depends on what you are looking for when it comes to sex therapy in Minneapolis. If it’s how to have bigger orgasms, then we’re gonna do some badass mindfulness and sensate focus shit. If it’s how do I give my partner a blow job, we’re gonna talk about some sexy sex therapy techniques, exercises, skills, and psychoeducation on the penis overall. If it’s how to perform cunnilingus, then ya bet we’re talking about that vulva, and what to do honey! If it’s being unsure about how to communicate and talk about pleasure, we’re gonna go through questionnaires, types of touch, sensations, pleasure points, slow down with mind body approach to sex therapy, and incorporate journaling for muscle memory. If it’s, hey, I’ve never masturbated before and am not sure I had an orgasm before, I got you, let’s talk toys, lube, sensation, sexual self-care, and more! Do ya see? Sex therapy techniques all depend on what the client is seeking therapy in Minneapolis for. I think I just came up with three new sex therapy blogs for y’all after reading through that information! Woohoo! Cum back for those friends! :)
Why Is Sex Important for Self Care?
Now here’s the tea you’ve been waiting for! Sex is important for self-care because it is an intimate, pleasurable experience for yourself and with partners. Sex is a different type of self-care, it’s a connection of our mind, body, and spirit, with ourselves or others. For some, it doesn’t get any more intimate than that. A lot of times in the therapy world, I’ve heard shameful messages of masturbation is a maladaptive coping mechanism. From what? If a person experiences distress with too much sex or masturbation, sure, it’s maladaptive. If a person is enjoying being in touch with their mind, body, and soul during sexual intimacy, pleasure, and acts, then there is nothing fucking wrong with that in my book. I bet there are tons of therapists out there that wish they could masturbate as much as their clients do. There is no shame in solo sex, masturbation, or sex to feel better, game. Sex is a mood enhancer, medicine for sickness, and natural as humans. When we focus on our sexual pleasure and intimacy, we grow the relationship with our sensual self.
Sensual Self Meaning….What??
Everything I’ve typed and told you about up to this point is all about sensuality. To be with ourselves sexually is to be with ourselves sensually. We experience more physical, emotional, sexual, and passionate pleasure when we are open to being with our sexual selves. Now, don’t get this sex therapist wrong, everyone’s definition of being sensual with themselves is different. This isn’t a perfect equation, neither is sex therapy, nor the sexual relationship we have with ourselves. They take time to understand, explore, enjoy, and evolve. Sometimes sensual self can mean do what makes you feel sexy. Sex or no sex, do you! Other times maybe it’s slowing down, licking your lips, and finding pleasure in that. You decide. Your sensual self can relate to your sexual self, and your sexual self needs to take care of you! Okay long-winded way of this sex therapist saying let’s answer some more questions about sex, sex therapy, or sexual self-care you
may be wondering about!
How can sex be self-care? Sex is self-care because it is an intimate act we do with ourselves or our partner(s). Sexual self-care can look like, reading erotica, wearing an outfit that makes you feel confident, buying a new sex toy, trying a new sex position with partner(s), exploring sexuality, masturbation, exploring pleasure in one's body, cleaning sex toys or sheets, and more! We do other acts of self-care that feel good, and sexual self-care is no different. For more sexual self-care ideas, make sure to check out last week’s blog here: What is Sexual Self Care? Sexual self-care can also look like scheduling those doctor appointments, getting regular STI/STD checkups, and having those conversations with partners, just as you would if you had any physical health troubles!
Are there any benefits of sex? Is this even a question, uh FUCK YEAH THERE ARE SO MANY BENEFITS TO SEX!!! Sex is a happiness/mood booster, can be a cold reliever, can help with better sleep at night, feeling connected with partner(s), sexual is for pleasure and is enjoyable. There are SO many benefits of sex. You get to learn your pleasure points, body, mind, foreplay, aftercare, positions you enjoy, products you like, lube, sex toys, lingerie, and more!!
How can we practice sex in a way that's healthy and beneficial to our mental health?
Make sure there is consent in all sexual acts. Have conversations and be honest with partner(s) about what you are/are not comfortable with. It is important we do not repress our sexualities and then resent our partner(s) for not knowing our wants if we haven't communicated with them. More consensual conversations are going to lead to better, more fulfilling sex, which leads to better mental health.
I hope this blog was helpful in answering the question of why is sex beneficial for our self-care! Make sure to come back for more sex therapy and sexual wellness coaching blogs in the future with all the tips ahead!!
Stay Shameless
If you are looking for help with Sex Therapy, Couples Therapy, & Self-Esteem, you can read more about how I can help on those pages. If you are seeking Sexual Wellness Coaching Services or Holistic Healing Services, click on those links! If you are a therapist in Minneapolis or outside of Minnesota and seeking Consultation Services, Pick Your Brain 1:1 Consultation, or a Speaker or Trainer for Your Next Workshop, I can help here too! Let’s get started on your Shameless Goals in Minneapolis, MN today!
