(9/23/13) Masters and Johnson are back in the news with the upcoming premiere of Masters of Sex, a Showtime series dramatizing the lives of the sex therapy pioneers. Accordingly, we thought it would be a good time to highlight one of their lesser known approaches for dealing with a wide array of sexual dysfunctions: The use of surrogate partner therapies.
If you saw the 2012 award winning film, The Sessions, then you have a basic idea of how surrogacy works. Though the film is highly fictionalized for entertainment purposes and not representative of how such therapies play out in real life, it does give a reasonable example of how the approach can be powerful and transformative. Specifically, a Surrogate Partner Therapist (SPT) expands upon traditional therapies by helping clients with exercises and experiences involving sensual and sexual touch, breathing techniques, relaxation skills and sensate focus. Trained and certified by the International Professional Surrogates Association (IPSA) which has led this field since 1973, their work always involves the ongoing participation of a licensed mental health professional to work effectively in a therapeutic team with the client. Ethical guidelines established by IPSA are followed at all times and clients must be seeing a therapist/counselor before starting sex surrogacy therapies.
Clients benefit by focusing on immediate, positive physical and emotional outcomes, leaving unproductive sexual thought processes behind. Additionally, responding to the physical body helps overcome other difficulties clients may be experiencing in their lives. Leaving the talk therapy to the therapist and dealing specifically with the body work, the triadic relationship enables clients to positively process their experience with maximum support. Because this work is very intimate and intense, SPTs only works with licensed psychologists, psychotherapists and sex therapists. Through thorough and specific support, the client receives maximum help and understanding. The goal of the therapy is to understand and resolve whatever is inhibiting a person’s sexual success so the client doesn’t have to spend another day living with pain, fear or sexual discomfort.
Specifically, SPTs can help with:
- Reducing anxiety
- Connecting with your body’s sensations
- Shedding inhibitions
- Releasing misconceptions about sex
- Learning how to ask for what you want
- Developing healthy relationships
- Feeling more comfortable with intimacy
- Addressing adult virginity
- Vaginismus
- Erectile insufficiency
- Early ejaculation
- Delayed ejaculation
- Shyness
- Body image issues
- Gaining self-love and self-acceptance
- Overcoming sexual problems
- Unlocking your unexplored sexual potential
- Developing social skills to help with dating
Although the approach has been around for years, it’s not without some controversy, particularly when it comes to ethics, legalities and credentialing. Presently, there are actually very few (less than 50) certified SPTs in the country, but ensuring that an SPT is appropriately prepared is an important distinction in terms of professionalism and raising the chances for a positive client outcome. Though no state currently has any laws prohibiting surrogate partner therapy, situational reviews do occur on occasion and tend to focus primarily on the professional competencies involved. For example, at least two cases in California involving a therapist referring to a surrogate partner were reviewed by the state’s Licensing Review Board and in each case the board determined that no unethical behavior was present. According to an article in the San Jose Mercury News, Kamala Harris (then of the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office and later, California’s Attorney General) stated unequivocally, ”If it’s between consensual adults and referred by licensed therapists and doesn’t involve minors, then it’s not illegal.” Additionally, in August 2010, the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) affirmed that if the surrogate partner is properly trained and educated, then the therapy is not unethical.
Ultimately, when applied competently, the approach has proven exceptionally effective in improving the lives of many who would otherwise suffer through a life of dysfunction. So, if you (or someone you know) are feeling uncomfortable with your sexual orientation or gender, dealing with insecurity or lack of experience with sexuality, afraid of not being able to perform sexually or struggling with long-standing physical or emotional issues with sex, then Surrogate Partner Therapy might be a viable strategy to consider.
(Note: We’ve provided the IPSA link above if you need general information, but if you have specific/confidential questions, just email us directly we’ll be happy to address your concerns or try to point you in the right direction.)