Sexual skill development and techniques relating to specific psychosexual dysfunctions

Abstract

If sexual responding is viewed as a skill then it may be assumed that such responses may be taught, given an appropriate learning experience. Our knowledge of skill development in other areas of human behaviour suggests that the most effective way of teaching new skills is a combination of instructions, discussion, modelling, practice and feedback about the quality of performance. As mentioned in Chapter 2, individuals rarely have the opportunity of optimal learning experiences in the development of sexual skills, hence it is perhaps not surprising that so many people experience difficulties in sexual responding. The core elements of sex therapy that have been found to be effective in enhancing sexual functioning can be seen to provide situations in which appropriate learning experiences may take place. The ethical limitations upon the forms of teaching that may take place within a clinical setting require that the majority of learning experiences occur within the privacy of the client’s home, with their regular partner. The instructions and discussion components take place within the clinic, under the direction of the therapist, with home-based tasks being designed to provide practice of new behaviours and feedback from the partner.