The emergence of a new paradigm in sex therapy: integration

Sex therapy has reached a stage of development that requires a paradigm shift. Some of the traditional paradigms in sex therapy have been analytic, behavioral, psychodynamic-behavioral and cognitive-behavioral. The emphasis has clearly been on the use of individually-oriented psychotherapeutic approaches. This paradigm shift is toward integration of the biological/medical, individual therapy, couple therapy, marital therapy and the broader cultural/historical, religious contexts. Conceptual frameworks are provided to help the reader systematically integrate concepts from various perspectives. Non-integrative or limited integrative frameworks are put aside in favor of a more comprehensive conceptual framework developed by the author. This framework stresses the simultaneous integration of the individual, interactional, intergenerational, and cultural/historical aspects of the treatment system.