CLINICAL SEXOLOGY AND SEX THERAPY

The clinical sexology and the sex therapy different approaches to be the Best Version of Yourself. According to the RAE definition, sexology refers to “the study of sexuality and related issues”. And the sexologist is defined as “the specialist in sexology”. So we see the ambiguity that this science has always had, not being defined as a discipline but simply as an area integrated into medicine, and close to urology and gynaecology.

If we start from the concept of the sexual system, sexology only through the biological area (sex) would be considered a natural factual science, while through the psychosocial area of the system (sexuality) it would be a factual-social science.
Therefore, only the biological area of sexology (Biosexology) would be a constituted science. The psychosocial area (Sexology) is the one that brings the greatest difficulties of integration, due to the difficult formulation of this area as a science, to the point that some researchers call the factual-social sciences “in constitution”.

Sexology, as a science and as a profession, has traditionally involved a multidisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary approach. It includes a large number of medical and humanistic disciplines and specialities. It covers all aspects of sexuality, has practical application in therapeutic counselling as well as in education.

CLINICAL SEXOLOGY, INTERDISCIPLINARY PRACTICE

Boch gives us his pragmatic view in 1907 in his book “The sexual life of our time”; the author was convinced that purely medical consideration was incapable of giving a fair answer to the multiple relationships between sexuality and the other aspects of human life. To do justice to love in the life of individuals and society, it must be treated as a part of the “general science of humanity”. Constituted by a union of the other sciences of biology, anthropology, ethnology, philosophy, psychology, the history of literature, and the entire history of civilisation.

We must understand the importance and the effect that the multiple aspects related to sexuality have on sexuality to be the Best Version of Yourself. In addition to understanding and finding the reason(s) that prevent different people from being able to enjoy a full sexuality. In this way, we can help them by using various therapies and tools or referring them to a health professional, when necessary.

THE FUNCTIONS OF SEXUALITY TODAY

As defined by Bloch, by encompassing biological, psychological, social and cultural aspects, sexology studies require the integration of multiple disciplines. They must include medicine, biology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, philosophy and history.

Sexological research is lively and combative, as befits a young and interdisciplinary area of scientific knowledge. Endocrinologists, gynaecologists, psychologists, psychiatrists and sex therapist are interested in the sexual repercussions of critical ages in women, such as the menopause, or changes in cycles, such as premenstrual syndrome. Studies on stress have also provided new models for the study of sexual desire disorders.

For example, sociological reports such as those of Hunt (1970) and Shere Hite (1976 and 1981), on couples, homosexuality or adolescents, allow us to understand not only sexual behaviour, but also the factors that contribute to change.

Sexology today is focused on sex education, sexology research, promotion of sexual and reproductive rights. Our aim is to provide quality sexological training, to fight for the rights of certain groups historically marginalised by their sexuality, and of course to promote erotic enrichment.

To paraphrase the pioneer sexologist Havelock Ellis, “in sexology there are more cultivable phenomena than curable disorders”.

GOULD’S SCIENTIFIC VIEWPOINT

Gould posited the need to come to terms with the implications of evolution considering all its implications. This would affect almost our entire understanding of human existence. Gould argues that it is necessary to understand that from a strictly scientific point of view any particular evolutionary event is unpredictable and contingent. As he said, we are the owners of an extraordinary evolutionary invention called consciousness or reflection.

According to Gould, when all these needs are met, sexology can be fully open to the scientific community and be extremely useful to the subjects who require its knowledge.

THE COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH

The cognitive-behavioural approach considers that behaviours are learned in several ways. Through one’s own experience, observation of others, classical or operant conditioning processes, language. Throughout our lives, people develop learning that is incorporated into our biographies, and which can be problematic or functional.
The cognitive-behavioural approach allows us to identify the erroneous beliefs that sustain current sexual difficulties and to confront them with appropriate behaviours.

Cognitive-behavioural techniques are therefore aimed at trying to change these problematic behaviours. The aim is to increase some and decrease others. We must create new behaviours, relativise or improve others, so that we can effectively adapt our behaviours to our environment.

THE GESTALT APPROACH

Gestalt is a current of humanistic psychology based on experience and “awareness”. A work of awareness between emotion, thought and action. It helps us in the process of becoming aware of who I am, what I do with my body, with my emotions, what I do with the other person.

In my work, in addition to Clinical Sexology, Sex Therapy with a humanistic and holistic approach, focusing on the particular needs of each person, accompanying them in the process of managing their problems, as well as promoting the development of strengths and skills that allow them to enjoy psychological and sexual well-being to become the Best Version of Yourself.