How you prepare

You can ask your primary care provider for a referral to a sex therapist, or you might check with a local hospital or medical center to see whether they have a sexual medicine clinic. Your health insurer or employee assistance program may offer recommendations as well.

As another option, you can check with a professional organization, such as AASECT. Or look on the professional organization websites of psychologists, licensed clinical social workers and psychiatrists to locate a licensed and qualified sex therapy provider.

Before scheduling sessions with a sex therapist, consider whether the therapist would be a good fit for you. You might ask questions like those below.

• Education and experience. What is your educational and training background? Are you licensed by the state? Are you credentialed by AASECT? What's your experience with my type of sexual issue?
• Logistics. Where is your office? What are your office hours?
• Treatment plan. How long is each session? How often are sessions scheduled? How long might I expect treatment to continue? What is your policy on canceled sessions?
• Fees and insurance. How much do you charge for each session? Are your services covered by my health insurance plan? Will I need to pay the full fee upfront?

Before your appointment

Prepare for your appointment by making a list of:

• Details of your problem, including when it started, whether it's always present or comes and goes, professionals you've seen, and treatments you've tried and their outcomes
• Key personal information, including your medical conditions and any major stresses or recent life changes
• All medications that you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, other supplements or herbal preparations, and their dosages
• Questions to ask your therapist about your sexual concerns