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Using Emotionally Focused Therapy to Treat Sexual Desire Discrepancy in Couples.

Abby Girard¹, Scott R Woolley¹

¹a Couple and Family Therapy, Alliant International University , San Diego , California , USA.

Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy

|November 29, 2016

Summary

Sexual desire discrepancy significantly impacts relationship satisfaction. Emotionally focused therapy offers a systemic approach to address these sexual and emotional issues in couples.

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Relationship Science
Clinical Psychology

Background:

Sexual satisfaction is a key component of overall relationship satisfaction.
Low sexual satisfaction disproportionately affects relationship quality compared to high satisfaction.
Sexual desire discrepancy is a complex and challenging issue in couples therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the role of emotional intimacy in sexual desire discrepancy.
To propose a systemic treatment approach for sexual desire discrepancy.
To enhance clinicians' understanding and treatment options for couples experiencing sexual desire issues.

Main Methods:

Literature review on sexual desire, emotional intimacy, and couple satisfaction.
Analysis of factors contributing to sexual desire discrepancy.
Application of emotionally focused therapy principles to sexual desire issues.

Main Results:

Emotional intimacy is both an outcome and predictor of increased sexual desire.
Sexual desire discrepancy is a significant contributor to couple distress.
Emotionally focused therapy provides a framework for addressing relational and sexual factors.

Conclusions:

Viewing sexual desire discrepancy as a relational problem is crucial for effective treatment.
Emotionally focused therapy offers a systemic and integrated approach for clinicians.
Addressing emotional intimacy can improve sexual desire and reduce couple distress.