ABSTRACT
Psycho-sexual clinicians are trained to assess a couple sensitively and thoroughly. The use of an integrated model enables the psycho-sexual therapist to formulate both psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural interventions as appropriate, thus addressing both the psyche and the soma simultaneously. This model was employed at London Marriage Guidance, and is taught and practised at the Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships. During the course of psycho-sexual therapy, the couple will often be given information on different models of desire, the arousal process, sexual anatomy, contraception and lubrication. The therapist outlines the rationale for any treatment programme that might be suggested. In this case, the diagnosis given was shared secondary situational loss of desire leading to an avoidance of physical contact. The therapist found herself becoming anxious about whether the programme could help them and wondered what this sudden lack of trust indicated.
