ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines different approaches to treatment of psychosexual dysfunction, including a brief summary of cognitive behavioural therapy. It looks in some detail at the principles underlying the authors' own psychodynamic approach. Institute of Psychosexual Medicine (IPM) practitioners attend to both, and it is our job to wonder what is going on in the minds and bodies of all psychoanalysts patients. Because physical investigations and treatments are more readily available within medical settings, IPM training focuses primarily on the psychology of psychoanalysts patients. A patient who had a traumatic childbirth 5 years ago and has not been interested in sex ever since may be surprised that her doctor is inviting her to talk in detail about it. Sarah attends her genitourinary medicine clinic having made the appointment herself. She is very anxious about attending as she is going to tell someone about her sexual difficulty.
