Am J Psychiatry 1976; 133:548-554
Copyright © 1976 by American Psychiatric Association
Principles of the new sex therapy
WH Master and VE Johnson
The authors review the development of their rapid treatment dual-sex
therapy for sexual dysfunction. The basic tenets of the new sex therapy
include 1) sound knowledge of physiology, endocrinology, and metabolic
function, 2) institution of psychotherapy only when organic factors have
been identified or ruled out, 3) treatment of the couple as a unit by
dual-sex therapy teams, 4) a short-term intensive program, and 5) education
in techniques of verbal and nonverbal communication. Since its inception in
1958, the new therapy has been adopted, modified, and examined by
clinicians and researchers all over the world. The authors suggest that
professionals interested in effective treatment for sexual dysfunction
should improve techniques, train personnel, and encourage sound research.
