The Six Ps Idea in Sex Therapy

The six Ps is a well-worn saying from the military and sports worlds: prior planning prevents poor performance. Some sex therapists and educators have applied the phrase to sex, arguing that people rarely think of intimacy as something that benefits from preparation. The idea fits within a long history of North American sexology.

This article describes the principle in general terms and does not profile any individual clinician.

What the planning idea covers

In the usual description, planning means gathering in advance what might be needed, such as towels, lubricant, refreshments, music or video, and setting up the space so that nobody has to keep getting up. Educators also mention removing distractions like clocks and ringing phones.

Behind this sits a broader claim: bed is a place without targets. An encounter has no required finish line or duration, and some couples spend many hours together when time pressure is removed. Sex therapists in the Masters and Johnson tradition made a similar point when they discussed performance anxiety, which is widely recognized as a common obstacle to satisfaction.

Roots in sex research

Modern sex therapy draws on mid-twentieth-century research. Alfred Kinsey founded the institute that bears his name at Indiana University, and his colleagues, including Wardell Pomeroy, co-authored the original Kinsey volumes on human sexual behaviour. Their work helped establish sexuality as a subject of scientific study and later training programs.

Sex therapy as a clinical practice grew from this research, with approaches focused on reducing anxiety, improving communication and removing pressure to perform.

Training and practice in Canada

Sex therapy in Canada is offered by professionals from several backgrounds, including psychologists, social workers, physicians and counsellors. Requirements and titles vary by province, and a term such as sexologist can describe different kinds of training. Scientific societies for sex research and national networks of sex educators also exist.

Couples programs

Programs for couples range from weekly sessions to condensed intensive formats spread over a few days. Their stated aim is usually to rebuild trust and satisfaction in long relationships. A recurring theme is that sex does not occur in a vacuum, since it is tied to issues within each person and within the relationship.

Professional workshops for therapists on clinical sexual interviewing also exist, and they pass on skills drawn from the Kinsey tradition.