Desire Discrepancy
What is your sex drive? For some couples having a different level of sexual drive / desire in a relationship creates problems, and for others it is not a big issue. There is a wide range of sexual variations that people may experience. For some, the ideal frequency of sexual contact would be at least 4 times a day, and for others sexual contact maybe desired only once a month. Sexual behaviors may range fro...
Dating
Before engaging in a "Friends with Benefits" it is important for a person to decide for him or herself what she or he really wants out of a relationship. Is a friends with benefits right for you. Some important questions to ask yourself, during this consideration of friends with benefits should include: Do I want a monogamous relationship? In thinking about this consider how you define monogamous relation...
Bondage & Discipline, Sadism & Masochism, Dominance & Submission
Fecal Play (Defecation Play, Scat Play, Brown Showers) Fecal play is sexual play that involves feces (poo). The Appeal: The Taboo. As fecal matter is not culturally valued, those that engage in play with feces may find they become aroused due to breaking cultural taboos. Humiliation Play. Those who choose to be defecated upon may get turned on by the humiliation of the act. Those who choose to defe...
Trauma, Sexual Abuse & Rape
Your Right to Write: Surviving Rape/Sexual Trauma When you hear the word “journal,” you think of a personal book in which you record all of your thoughts and desires whenever you need an outlet for them. It is a safe space, and one which you share only with yourself. For the purpose of recovery from sexual abuse or rape, you can take the concept of journal writing one step further. To do so, use this journa...
Enhancements for Sex
The Yoni Massage - Tantra style Yoni (pronounced YO-NEE) is the Sanskrit word for vagina and it has been said to translate to “sacred temple”, “sacred place” and “divine passage”. The yoni massage has many uses. It has been used in persons who have had sexual traumas in their pasts to learn to trust their partners. It has taught many women how to have multiple orgasms and it is also just a great way to conn...
Anxiety & Sex
Women, Sex, and Poor Body Image Have you ever hesitated to have sex with a partner, not because you lacked desire, but because you worried about how you looked naked? Do you find yourself clinging to the bed sheet to cover up parts of your body when intimate with your partner? In an ideal world, would you opt for the lights to be off during sex every time? Many women struggle to reveal their true sexual sel...
Dating
The answer is simple, it all depends upon how determined each individual is to make the relationship work.If two people want to make the relationship last forever, it will. Many couples agree to disagree on many topics. How healthy the relationship is, is a different question. Marriage counseling / couples counseling can help each person within the relationship evaluate for himself / herself if the sacrific...
Dating
If you think you might have an infection and you are wondering where to get help with herpes we recommend the following: Medical Care If you have (or think you have) herpes but have never seen a health care provider to confirm the diagnosis, this is an essential first step. Family doctors, dermatologists, gynecologists, urologists, and infectious disease specialists can all diagnose genital herpes, as can ...
Communication in the Bedroom
Where has the good sex gone? Maybe it's in the bedroom! Have you recently realized that you can't remember the last time you and your partner had sex? Are you struggling to remember the last time you wanted to have sex? One of the common ingredients in promoting and maintaining frequent sex with your partner is your bedroom environment. It is an easy factor to overlook, but the bedroom can often be a deal b...
Mood Disorders & Sex
When to use an intervention?Have you recently experienced a loved one's ongoing inability and failure to take care of themselves? Have you given him/her the books to read, provided the suggestions to improve their situation, engaged in endless discussions and pleas for how to practice self-care? Has he/she lost jobs, or friends as consequences to their negative behavior? Do you find yourself at your boiling...
Grief, Loss & Sexuality
When Sex is a Trigger For some people with PTSD sex can be a trigger. Sex as a trigger is common among survivors of sexual assault and rape. However, other types of trauma could still impact a person's desire to have sex or impact a person's feelings about sex. Some people with PTSD may try to avoid sex altogether, while for others they may only try to avoid certain acts or certain aspects of sex. If sex is...
What to expect in supervision Supervision is core to a robust training program. At the Center for Growth, Inc., our philosophy and focus is to provide immediate and direct feedback in multiple ways. Supervision is conducted in both an individual and group format assuring feedback on a one on one basis as well as from peers. Group supervision fosters learning from peers’ cases as well. All work is videotaped...
Wellness and General Mental Health Concerns
People with Anorexia often report that the illness gives them an identity, a sense of pride, and a feeling that they are unique. In therapy it is common to hear phrases such as “I don’t know who I would be without my Eating Disorder.” Many people with Anorexia believe they have found a clear way to measure their self-worth, and in some regards they are right. People with Anorexia have found some...
Relational & Marital Problems
Warning Signs Sex Compulsion:  If you have ever wondered if your partner struggles with a sex compulsion, read this list and discover for yourself how well your partner fits the description.  Does your partner wake up early or stay up late to “watch TV” or use “the Internet”? Does your partner prefer pornographic material to being sexual with you? Does your partner engage in excessive use of pornographic m...
Desire Discrepancy
Vulvar Vestibulitis Treatment - Vulvar vestibulitis refers to pain or discomfort in the vulvar area, specifically at the opening of the vagina, which is called the vestibule. The pain or discomfort can feel like burning, itching, or a cutting/stabbing type of sensation. For many women, it can be very similar to the burning and itching sensations of a yeast infection. There can be noticeable inflammation and...
Anxiety & Sex
Symptoms of Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome (VVS):Â VVS has two components : physical symptoms and psychological symptoms. Some of the common physical symptoms are: painful intercourse burning itching discharge pain in the vulva without any contact rawness redness aching pain with urination The symptoms often vary from woman to woman and a woman often will not have all of these symptoms. However, if you have ...
Family Planning, Safer Sex & STD's
Increasing your Pleasure: Exploring and Becoming Familiar with your Vulva Many women call their genitalia their vagina. Other women have different names that they have been taught from their childhood such as “down there”, “privates”, and a variety of other unique and interesting names. What many women know as “down there” or as their vagina is actually called the vulva. While it is true that your vagina is...
Wellness and General Mental Health Concerns
What is Client Centered Therapy? And how will a therapist using a Client Centered Approach help me?  The Client Centered Approach to psychotherapy was originally developed by Carl Rogers in the 1940’s. The major tenets are that personality is relatively fluid and evolving and that people are “structures in process.” A therapist who works from the Client Centered perspective believes that all people have the...
Female Sexual Pain
Vaginismus is a disorder defined as painful spasms of muscles around the outer third of the vagina. Sometimes the muscles at the opening of the vagina tighten and narrow to such an extent that inserting a tampon or having intercourse is impossible. Additionally, vaginal dryness can cause vaginismus. Sometimes the change in estrogen levels during menopause can create this problem. Other times, the woman is n...
Avoidance / Sexual Aversion
Vacation From Sex Survivors of sexual abuse who are trying to heal from their trauma should taking a vacation from sex. This break from sex allows survivors to step back and process some of their emotions and feelings about sex. It can also help survivors rediscover their sexuality in a new and healthier way. If you are a survivor or sexual abuse, consider the following statements to determine if you shoul...
