ABSTRACT
I was struck by the call for contributions for this special issue that asserted that most sex therapy models focus on diagnosing and treating dysfunctions, rather than exploring sexual health and pleasure. It requested “innovative” approaches and models that “expand the conversation about sex beyond measurable outcomes” and labelled such sex therapy “extraordinary”. In this opinion piece, I would like to make the case for “ordinary” sex therapy, practised by hundreds of my colleagues in the UK; a way of working that regards exploring pleasure and treating dysfunctions as fundamentally compatible rather than mutually exclusive; a model that is not “innovative” by any means, but is grounded primarily in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) theory and encourages flexibility and creativity from all parties. Clients can find this process useful, satisfying, productive, rewarding, transformative and sometimes “extraordinary”.
