Excerpts:
Sexual problems and related sexual dissatisfaction are more central to a couple’s relationship than other problems.
Approximately half of couples presenting to couple therapy report dissatisfaction with some aspect of their sexual life (Metz & McCarthy, 2007) and low levels of sexual satisfaction are one of the most discussed issues in traditional couple therapy (Lamarre & Lussier, 2007).
Initial gains [in sexual frequency] were lost over the years following treatment cessation.
[The authors mentioned that “non-demand pleasure exercises” might be helpful.]
Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy
Abstract
Using a sample of 134 distressed, different-sex couples, this study investigated the effects of Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy and Traditional Behavioral Couple Therapy on sexual dissatisfaction and sexual frequency both during treatment and in the five years following treatment. Therapy effects depended on treatment type, gender, and whether sexual distress was identified as a presenting problem; while couple therapy may initially improve some aspects of the sexual relationship, impacts tend to fade over follow-up. Couple therapy may benefit from incorporating a greater emphasis on sex and inclusion of techniques from sex therapy.