Intimacy Group for Women

Cognitive Behavioral and Sex Therapy Strategies for Pain Impact on Sexual Function

Duration: 4 weeks (2-hour session each week)

Please Note:

This group is not intended to address other concerns that may affect sexual function such as untreated sexual abuse/assault, and relationship violence or conflict.

This group welcomes all individuals who identify as women, and we are committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive space for everyone.

Discover intimacy again: Learn new knowledge and practice skills from cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT), sex therapy, and mindfulness, that will empower you to regain sexual function while living with pain.
Connect with others: Hear from others who experience pain with sexual activity, avoid sex, push through sex, and are concerned about their sex life.
Practical tools: Learn about pelvic floor muscles, sexual positions for people with pain, and vulvar care.

Disclaimer

No evaluations of the resources in this document have been mad. This material is for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction, and/or treatment. If you have questions, speak with your doctor or appropriate health care provider.

COST: Apps and websites may have a dollar cost like a subscription, a fee, or donation.

Explore these Resources

Handbook: Discover Intimacy Again

Websites

Communication

The Gottman Institute | Relationships - John Gottman, a research-based approach

Mindfulness and Self-Compassion

Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff: Join the Community Now - Dr. Kristen Neff, expert on self-compassion

Pain Science

Home | Pain Revolution- chronic pain education for people and health care providers

Sexual Health

Sexual and Reproductive Health - Sexual and Reproductive Health, Government of Alberta Health Portal

Sex & U - Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada

Sexual Health Research Labs in Canada

Dr Lori Brotto | UBC Sexual Health Research | Mindfulness Expert - Lori Brotto, Canadian Psychologist Researcher, Sexual Health Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia

Home - sophiebergeron - Sophie Bergeron, Canadian Psychologist Researcher, Sexual Health Laboratory, Department of Psychology at the Université de Montréal

www.sexlab.ca - Caroline Pukall, Canadian Psychologist Researcher, Sexual Health Laboratory, Department of Psychology at Queen’s University

Vaginismus

Vaginismus Home – vaginismus.com - Carter, Mark and Lisa (2015). Completely Overcome Vaginismus: The Practical Approach to Pain-Free Intercourse

Vulvodynia

The National Vulvodynia Association - The mission of the National Vulvodynia Association (NVA), a non-profit created in 1994, is to help improve the health and quality of life of women suffering from vulvodynia, chronic vulvar pain without an identifiable cause.

eSense for Vulvodynia (dollar cost)

eSense-Vulvodynia - The National Vulvodynia Association - Both mindfulness and CBT are the basis for eSense, a self-guiding online program that has produced positive results in women lacking sexual desire or experiencing distress in their sexual relationships. The program is a combination of text, audio and video, and includes patient stories and practical exercises. See more here: esensehealth.com

Apps

Mindfulness

Breathr: An app that introduces the concept of mindfulness and creates an easy access point for those who are new to this practice. Developed by the BC Children's Hospital.

Medito: Another mindfulness app with self-directed courses, and short easy practices

Audio Recordings

Mindfulness Recordings — Dr. Lori Brotto – Canadian psychologist, expert on sex therapy, recordings include body scan, gender neutral body scan.

Books

Communication

Gottman, John and Silver, Nan (2015). The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practice Guide from the Country’s Foremost Relationship Expert. Random House.

Chapman, Gary (2015). 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts. Northfield Publishers.

Mindfulness and Self-Compassion

Siegel, Ron (2010). The mindfulness solution: Everyday practices for everyday problems. New York: Guildford.

Mindfulness and Sex Therapy

Brotto, Lori (2018). Better Sex through Mindfulness: How Women Can Cultivate Desire. Vancouver, BC: Greystone Books Ltd.

Pain Science

Louw, Adrian, Hilton, Sandra, and Vandyken, Carolyn (2014). Why Pelvic Pain Hurts: Neuroscience Education for Patients with Pelvic Pain. International Spine and Pain Institute, USA.

Pain and Sex

Coady, Deborah and Fish, Nancy (2011). Healing Painful Sex: A Woman’s Guide to Confronting, Diagnosing, and Treating Sexual Pain. Perseus Books Group, Berkeley, California.

Goldstein, Andrew, Pukall, Caroline, Goldstein, Irwin (2011). When Sex Hurts: A Woman’s Guide to Banishing Sexual Pain. Perseus Books Group, Berkeley, California.

Sensate Focus

Weiner, Linda and Avery-Clark, Constance (2017). Sensate Focus in Sex Therapy: The Illustrated Manual. Routledge, New York.

Sexuality and Males

Zibergeld, Bernie (1999). The New Male Sexuality: The Truth about Men, Sex, and Pleasure. Bantam Publishing.

McCarthy Barry & McCarthy, Emily (2020). Contemporary Male Sexuality: Confronting Myths and Promoting Change, Routledge.

Vulvar Health

Missy Lavender and Donatelli Ihm, Jeni (2015). Below Your Belt: How to be Queen of our Pelvic Region. Women’s Health Foundation, Chicago, Illinois.

Gunter, Jen (2019). The Vagina Bible: The Vulva and the Vagina – Separating the Myth from the Medicine. Penguin Random House Canada.