Surrogate Partner Therapy

A surrogate partner is a trained professional who works with clients in sex therapy as part of a three-way therapeutic team. This team consists of a therapist/counsellor (usually a licensed MFT or psychologist), surrogate partner and client. The surrogate's role is to be a partner to the client and assist in building the client's skills in the areas of physical and emotional intimacy. This is accomplished through exercises in communication, relaxation, sensual and sexual touching and social skills training.

Sessions with the therapist are interwoven with the surrogate/client sessions, and there is an understanding that there will be open communication between the three members of the team. The surrogate and therapist collaborate on the progress of the therapy and usually communicate after each client session.

Because of the intimate and sensitive nature of the work, the involvement of the therapist/counsellor is essential, and no ethical surrogate works with clients without this kind of support in place. Clients inquiring about surrogate work will be referred to qualified therapists for evaluation before starting work with the surrogate partner.

I am a certified surrogate partner trained by the International Professional Surrogates Association (IPSA). For more information about Surrogate Partner Therapy and IPSA, go to http://www.surrogatetherapy.org.

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