ABSTRACT
Four main classes of sexual problems are commonly encountered in clinical practicesexual dysfunctions (the most common), sexual drive problems, gender problems, and sexual variations and deviations. In a recent British study, approximately 10% of patients attending general practice clinics reported some type of current sexual or relationship difficulty (Watson & Teifion, 1997). Similar figures are reported in psychological practices, although prevalence rates for specific disorders differ by such variables as age group, country or culture studied, and type of study (Dunn, Jordan, Croft, & Assendelft, 2002). The challenge for psychologists working in the area of sexual disorders includes the fact that while the number of sexually naïve and inexperienced individuals referred for therapy declines, numbers of complex or chronic cases involving a wider age range and physical or psychiatric comorbidities have increased (Schover & Leiblum, 1994). The dysfunctions or problems that are the focus of this Chapter include those sexual dysfunctions that affect heterosexual or gay relationships, namely disorders of sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, or sexual pain. An overview of the use of homework in cognitive and behavioral therapy for such sexual problems, including the applications of specific types of homework activities for particular sexual difficulties, as well as practical guidelines for the successful clinical application of homework techniques are described.
