Sex therapy in an in-patient and out-patient setting

This paper summarizes the experience with sex therapy in an in-patient ward for neurotics (N = 82), where it could be combined with interpersonally oriented group psychotherapy in a therapeutic community setting. Outcome data are compared with an out-patient form of sex therapy, used in several counseling centers (N = 111). The in-patient form of therapy had a success rate of 76% at completion of treatment and 52% after a follow-up period of 15 months. The out-patient therapy was successful in 71% but no follow-up was carried out. Almost 50% of the couples who originally started therapy dropped out. Three illustrative successful cases are described.