Working interactively using a systemic sex therapy model for common sexual problems within a modern health service setting

SummarySexual and Relationship Couples Psychotherapy is a specialist form of psychotherapy and counselling within which different theoretical perspectives may be employed by clinical staff. These include psychodynamic, family-of-origin, cognitive behavioural and systemic therapies. Systemic therapy has developed from a family systems background for the management of couples with relationship difficulties and in certain instances for couples with both relationship and sexual difficulties. The history and development of systemic therapy is described followed by a more specific review and outline of systemic therapy in the management of sexual problems. We go on to describe the specific training experience of a member of staff in systemic therapy to build upon the existing clinical framework employed within the service. Inherent for systemic therapy, there is a need for a team of observers, which in our clinic incorporates both staff and our postgraduate trainees. The experience of the member of staff learning specific skills in systemic sex therapy and live supervision of the team of her work during development of her skill set is explored and discussed. Issues around clinical outcomes and clinical governance are further described as our service is provided within a national health system service where these are considered mandatory.