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The principles of Psychosexual Medicine
Active Listening
This means not only listening to the words somebody says, but also how they are said, the non-verbal communication and what is not said. The listener formulates
interpretations, which can be offered or reflected back on what has been heard, experienced and observed.
Unlike traditional psychoanalytical therapy, the narrative, interpretation and reflection are focussed onto the sexual difficulty.
The Genital Examination
People bring their whole bodies to doctors, and expect the physical, social, emotional and mental aspects to be examined. During the genital examination, the psychosexual doctor notices what happens, and the emotional responses of both the individual and the doctor.
Bringing the mind and body together
The gathered facts are ordered into a narrative that makes sense to the individual. The hypotheses are constantly tested and may be confirmed or discarded as new facts are discovered.
Discovering the truth through shared understanding of the facts and feelings.
Everyone develops defences and unconscious behaviours to protect himself or herself from hurt, and the psychosexual doctor acts compassionately in this sometimes painful journey of unravelling the patient’s problem.
The consultation is concerned not only with the narrative and physical examination, but also with feelings produced in the doctor. These feelings are a valuable source of information about the feelings the patient might arouse in other people and how these might be produced.