Sex surrogates or surrogate partners, are practitioners that are trained in issues of intimacy and sexuality. Surrogate partners collaborate with a therapist to help the client meet their goals. It is a triadic model that is used to support the client. It is known as surrogate partner therapy, and helps to address obstacles to physical and emotional intimacy that someone may have that has previously been unresolved. Issues that clients often face are sexual dysfunctions and traumatic history around sexual and intimate experience.
History
This practice was introduced by Masters and Johnson in their book Human Sexual Inadequacy that was published in 1970. Masters and Johnson believed that people could learn about sexual intimacy through experiencing it. They conducted some experiments where they would partner clients with their partner, those without a partner would be paired with a surrogate in order to help overcome sexual dysfunction.
Usual Problems
There are some problems that are usually frequent, these include:
- Intimacy trouble
- Lack of confidence
- Communication problems
- Anxiety
- Low sexual desire
- Disability
- History or sexual abuse
- Erectile dysfunction
- Premature ejaulation
A surrogate can help you to work through many sexual dysfunction and help to improve you sex life through communication and building up trust.
Therapy
Sexual problems are often psychological rather than physical, and communication plays a key role in the therapeutic process between a patient and the surrogate.
Surrogate partners often have a variety of techniques and exercises in order to help the patient work through their problems. These include relaxation techniques, sensate focus, communication, and helping the client establish body image confidence, social skills, and educate them about sex. Some surrogate partners may even introduce some sensual touching in order to prepare the client for future intimacy.
Surrogate partner therapy usually starts with the client meeting the surrogate. The client will divulge what they would like to do, and work through, whilst building a relationship with their surrogate.
If you have any more questions about surrogate partner therapy then please feel free to contact us and one of our sex educators will get back to you as soon as possible.
