What Does A Board Certified Sexologist Actually Do To Help Me?

By Dr. Arlene Krieger, PhD in Marriage and Relationships on June 5th, 2008

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by Dr. Arlene Krieger, PhD

A few of the comments I hear a lot from couples are “Do we need to see a therapist? I think we have sexual problems? How do we find the right type of therapist? A sex therapist, and just what *is* a sexologist?” It rarely surprises me anymore, that the mere mention of sex and human sexuality continue to titillate and cause a state of unrest for most, when conversed even among close friends.

I’m standing inside the sushi restaurant last week, waiting for my take-out tempura salmon roll. A very charming and handsome man also waiting outside the front door beckons for me to join him while waiting for our lunch orders. He casually asks if I live in the neighborhood and what I do for a living. Before I answer him, I notice a woman sitting not 3 feet from us, observing the conversation. She seems somewhat amused by the charming man and his social tactics (pick-up lines). I open my mouth to respond and my mind is already whirling with thoughts of the response I will most likely get from my answer.

“My title is as a Board Certified Clinical Sexologist, a Marriage and Family Therapist with a PhD in Clinical Sexology…” I pause, watching him watching me a bit closer. The woman at the table nearby, also has looked up from her half-eaten meal and stared a bit. I have their absolute attentions at this point. You do what, he exclaims? I again define my profession, and add, “You know,a bit like Dr. Ruth, America’s Favorite Sexologist, a bit younger albeit but the same type work.”

ll watching us. She smiles and says, “this should be interesting.” This is the response I receive nearly every time people, once they’ve asked what my profession is. Even upon explanation, there still seems to be that stunned look on their faces. So then, why the shock effect from stating that one works in this uniquely important field? I am not certain that people fully understand what sexology is, since it is a very specific specialized field. It can mean different things to different people, since the field of sex therapy is very specific to its requirements and regulations. I will cover that in part two of this article.

About the Author:

Dr. Arlene Krieger, Phd provides telephone therapy worldwide and is known as America’s 2nd Favorite Sexologist”