New York Sex Therapy

Dr. Bruce Berman, PhD

We grow up in a culture that discourages expressing sexual curiosity during formative years.

This can lead us as adults to experience shame when discussing sexual issues and make it difficult to feel comfortable expressing our sexual desires to our partners. When talking about sex is already uncomfortable it can feel particularly challenging to talk about sexual issues with a professional.

With over 35 years as an experienced Sex Therapist, I can assure you that sexual issues are common and that I will aim to provide a safe and comfortable environment in which to talk about your sexual concerns.

My Therapy Helps:

  • Lack of Sexual Desire

  • Erectile Dysfunction

  • Lack of Arousal

  • Premature Ejaculation

  • Inability to Experience Orgasm

  • Delayed or Inhibited Ejaculation

  • Pain During Intercourse

  • Vaginal Spasms Preventing Intercourse (Vaginismus)

  • Sexual Problems Resulting from Childhood Trauma and Abuse

  • Compulsive (Out of Control) Sexual Behavior

  • Difficulties Achieving Sexual Compatibility

  • Infrequent Sexual Interactions

  • Sexual Challenges Posed by Aging, Illness, or Medical Treatment

Sex Therapy with
Dr. Berman

Depending on the problem, what seems to be causing it, and whether or not the person(s) having the problem is/are in a committed relationship, Sex Therapy usually involves a combination of individual and/or couples therapy sessions and behavioral exercises to be done at home, either by the individual or the couple, designed to facilitate overcoming the particular difficulty being treated.

Some of these exercises are used to diminish anxiety and preoccupation with one’s ability to perform and aim to develop sexual confidence. Others facilitate sexual communication between partners. Yet others help partners reconnect erotically with each other in ways that lead to their having enjoyable, rather than just satisfactory, sexual interactions.

My Sex Therapy
Process

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My approach to treating sexual problems begins with an assessment to provide me with an understanding of what is blocking an individual or a couple from having optimal erotic experiences.

This usually involves:

  1. a discussion of the problem including how long it has been present

  2. what factors played a part in precipitating it

  3. the factors play a part in maintaining it

  4. what has already been tried in an attempt to overcome it

This is then followed by taking a history of the person’s experience growing up in their family and how their sexuality developed. The information gathered from this assessment then leads to a formulation of what is blocking the person from having enjoyable sexual experiences and what would be the best approach to overcoming them.

This formulation is then shared with the individual or the couple to see if it resonates, and if not, how it might need to be modified and improved.

LGBTQ+ AFFIRMING

I am committed to providing an informed, affirmative approach to working with gay, lesbian, bisexual, nonbinary, trans, polyamorous, sexually non-monogamous, and kink-practicing individuals and couples.