The experience of Maltese counsellors whilst dealing with clients with sexual dysfunction

Abstract

This research explored the experience of Maltese counsellors when working with clients presenting different sexual dysfunctions. As this study sought to embrace a constructivist framework, it was after descriptions and experiences rather than mere explanations. Resultantly, a consensual qualitative approach was chosen involving both interviews as the method for data collection and thematic analysis as the method for data analysis. The participants included generic and specialised counsellors in sex and relationship therapy and were referred to as “counsellor-participants". The research focused on their experience with clients who were presenting their sexual dysfunctions and on which theoretical interventions and related skills they considered more apt whilst working with such diverse sexual dysfunctions. Through the amalgamation of purposeful and snowballing sampling, six individual semi-structured and audio-recorded interviews were carried out. Findings revealed how counsellor-participants subscribe to the contemporary integrative approach (Withman, 2000; Long et al., 2006) which embraces medical and psychological interventions. It was also transpired how they considered their clients and their therapeutic alliance as central to their understanding of sexual dysfunction. Apart from the need to collaborate with both medical and kindred professionals, counsellor-participants reported how often they had to challenge taboos, misconceptions and also ageism. Additionally, emergent findings shed some light on the lived experience of individuals or couples dealing with sexual dysfunction. As such, they also revealed how such experiences have the potential to disturb the overall sense of wellbeing, to inflict distress on intimate relationships and to interfere with the confidence and efficacy levels of such clients. Recommendations highlight the imminent need for more intensified training in sexuality and related issues for both specialised and non-specialised counsellors at a national level. Furthermore, the need for supervisors to be likewise trained and competent in sexual issues including sexual dysfunction was also stressed.