The influence of religion on sexuality: implications for sex therapy

Religious beliefs are among the many factors that determine whether sexually dysfunctional persons will seek out a sex therapist. These beliefs may also generate resistance to therapy or influence patients to drop out of treatment before it is complete. Therapists who are sensitive to patients' religious beliefs enhance the likelihood of a successful treatment process. The authors present six case examples from their practice in which religious beliefs played an important role. They urge sex therapists to become more aware of the religious dynamic and to help address the paucity of clinical case material in the literature.