Let's talk about sexuality and relationships

Abstract

Overseas research on sexual and relational disorders is varied and widespread. However, relatively little is known about such problems in New Zealand. The present study describes a cohort of clients seen by the Sex Therapy New Zealand service in one year, with a particular focus on the presenting symptoms in relation to existing models of sexual functioning problems. The therapists of the 46 clients who consented to participate completed a short questionnaire about the client and the therapy process. The key finding was that therapists identified relational problems as central to the sexual problem, while these issues were not identified in the referral. A larger study on sexual problems in New Zealand is needed to replicate and extend the results of this study, with a view to developing an integrated diagnostic, assessment, and treatment model for sexual and relationship problems.